Singing Christmas Tree makes return

The Edmonton Singing Christmas tree is back bigger and better than ever. And organizers have adopted as its theme, Bing Crosby’s seasonal chestnut I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Now in its 41st season, this two-hour-plus variety show extravaganza has grown from an original church offering to a Broadway scale production hosted at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium from Dec. 17 to19.

It combines the razzle-dazzle of a 50-dancer Santa kick-line, international performers and of course, a 135-member choir packed onto a 35-foot tree the equivalent height of a four-storey building.

And this year executive producer John Cameron has pulled all the stops by inviting a stellar line-up that includes the globetrotting Canadian Tenors to perform at the Friday night Glitter and Gold Gala.

As well, the run’s five shows also feature a 20-piece orchestra and guest members of David Foster’s Band — Boh Cooper (keyboard), John Jr. Robinson (drummer) and Nathan East (electric bass). In addition, American Idol competitor Michael Johns drops by for a Dean Martin style croon of Winter Wonderland.

“I want people to leave saying, ‘Wow. I need to be with family and friends now.’ We want to put away the negativity of the economy and focus on what life is all about — hearth and family,” says Cameron. And he makes it crystal clear that all proceeds are going to support Santas Anonymous.

In keeping with the theme, Cameron’s dream this year is to unite families. “We’re also going to surprise five families by bringing in their families from across the country for Christmas.”

While Cameron has worked diligently to unite families, music director Trent Worthington is clearly excited by the top-notch entertainment that places the extravaganza a cut above previous shows. The St. Albert resident has organized the local component and has high praise for the soloists.

“There’s Caleb Nelson. He’s an Alberta boy that grew up near Westaskwin and we’re lucky he sticks around. He sings in Pro Coro and has the classical chops. But he’s also a key member of Epsilon, a pop group.”

And then there’s Kristen Biegel, one-half of the Duelling Pianos, a new act at Apex Casino (formerly Gold Dust) in the Campbell Business Park. “Some performers have the ability to communicate with audiences, and five minutes into a song, everybody likes her. She’s a genuine performer.”

A new and powerful soloist is Nana Yaa Boadu, a second-year graduate student working on a project to end malaria, who stumbled into the Singing Tree auditions. “She sang with such passion and conviction. It was impossible to divert your attention, and this was in a busy shopping mall. Everyone in the proximity was drawn to her.”

Last year many listeners left completely amazed at the production’s quality and topping that was a stretch, adds Worthington. “But I think we’ve done it. It’s a wonderful reprieve in whatever in life is weighing you down and all the proceeds go to charity.”