Stepping Out

Sounds of the season around the area

It's a musical holiday throughout the month

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The joyous notes of the holiday season abound. Whether it’s a perennial favorite, or a more contemporary interpretation of holiday favorites, there’s much going on to appeal to all ages and interests. Here’s a roundup of holiday concerts.

A Sixties-style holiday revue
Classic holiday tunes combined with memorable modern holiday hits come together in a vibrant, joyous musical spectacular that is the Madison Theatre’s Holiday Celebration, Saturday. “It’s a big extravaganza that pays homage to an Andy Williams-type of Christmas show,” says Angelo Fraboni, the Madison Theatre’s artistic director, who is directing this production.
The show’s ‘60s-‘70s vibe comes across in over 20 musical numbers performed by the diverse cast that includes Broadway veterans, the folk group A Band Called Honalee, students from Molloy College’s new CAP21 Musical Theater program, and children from the community.
Broadway stars David Hibbard (“Spamalot,” “Billy Elliot,” “Elf”), Catherine Brunell (“Mary Poppins,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”) and Kacie Shiek (“Hair”), along with vocalists Frank Basile and Jennifer Hill are joined by 20 freshman students from the inaugural class of Molloy’s CAP21 program, who are pursuing their BFA degree.
“These are a really talented bunch of kids who want to be professionals,” says Fraboni, of their role in the show, which includes three numbers in which the students have the spotlight.
The modern-day folk trio A Band Called Honalee — featuring Sarah Randall Hunt, Chris Ware and Eli Zoller — share the stage with their tribute to the ‘60s, “A Honalee Christmas.” Even Fraboni, is drawn into the show’s festive spirit, making a cameo in the “Turkey Lurkey Time” segment from “Promises, Promises.”
“People seem to really enjoy holiday shows,” says Fraboni. “We like to celebrate the holidays and want our audience to be happy and tapping their toes. We’re having a lot of fun and want our audience to have just as much fun. Hopefully, everyone will all sing along. We want everyone to enjoy themselves and the holidays and be ready to come again next year.”
Proceeds from the concert will help fund the Joan Roberts Scholarship for vocal performance majors at Molloy.
Enjoy this holiday musical journey, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45-$55. The Madison Theatre is on the Molloy College campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or www.madisontheatreny.org.

Celtic Thunder
The popular Irish group introduces their newest member, New Yorker Emmett O’Hanlon, when the international singing sensation makes its way to Long Island to spread some holiday cheer, on Sunday. O’Hanlon, a baritone born and raised in New York with Irish parents, joins the group for the Symphony Tour, featuring songs from their new album, “Holiday Symphony.” Celtic Thunder departs from their traditional and critically-acclaimed large set productions for this concert tour, giving a dynamic performance accentuated by the instrumentals of a full symphony orchestra.
It is unlike anything the group has done before. The music selection ranges from traditional carols “Away in A Manger” and “Silent Night,” to classical pieces “Gaudete,” “Ave Maria,” holiday time staples “Winter Wonderland”, “Let it Snow” and “Last Christmas,” along with the more contemporary “Fairytale of New York.” Celtic Thunder’s five male soloists Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Neil Byrne, Colm Keegan and O’Hanlon will also perform solo and ensemble numbers, and signature Celtic Thunder hit songs “Ireland’s Call” and band favorites “Cal/Local Hero.”
 Join in their spirited concert, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $69.50, $49.50 and $39.50. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury (800) 745-3000 or
www.ticketmaster.com.

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