The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Melody makes a cheery elf!
I have a confession to make: I love Christmas music. Every year, just after Thanksgiving, I’ll find myself bursting into an off-key but heartfelt rendition “All I Want for Christmas is You” or “Jingle Bell Rock” or even “Away in a Manger” while folding laundry or washing the dishes. At this point, my husband will look up from whatever he’s doing, roll his eyes, and brace himself for my very merry month-long serenade. Oh, have I mentioned I am completely tone-deaf?
Christmas Cowgirls and their "Reindeer"
Fortunately, for both myself and for my long-suffering spouse, I can now get my Christmas music fix every Monday and Tuesday when I’m manging the Arabian Nights Holiday Show. In addition to hearing it piped into the arena as ambient music before the show starts, the show itself features and amazing mix of Christmas songs. The soundtrack includes some of my all-time favorites, including renditions of “Winter Wonderland,” “Carol of the Bells,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and selections from “The Nutcracker Suite.” The finale is set to “Merry Xmas: War is Over,” a song to which I have a deep and abiding sentimental attachment. Fortunately, Princess Scheherazade and Santa have wonderful singing voices, unlike yours truly.
Csaba is "chilling" as Jack Frost.
Looking back over this post so far, it kind of sounds like I’m singing my own praises about my involvement in the Holiday Show, so I’m going to issue a disclaimer. I had exactly zero involvement in the planning of the show. Honestly. You can tell because if I had been in charge, it would have included twice as many musical numbers and required an intermission. The fact that so many of my favorite songs are featured is pure kismet, and it just might mean that I love the Holiday Show even more than the regular show!
Zach as the Candy Cane Man
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the other reason that the Holiday Show has a special place in my heart. Arabian Nights is running a special promotion from now until December 22nd. If you bring in a new, unwrapped toy to donate when you come to the show, you’ll save $20 off the regular ticket price. At the end of the promotion, we’ll be donating all the toys to the Baby DJ Drive, which distributes them to children who might not otherwise get anything for Christmas. Not only does our show feature Santa Claus, but we get to help Santa out by collecting all those toys.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go grab a hot cocoa and watch the performers rehearsing that “Winter Wonderland” act again. Snow falling, music playing, horses prancing in formation. That’s my idea of a winter wonderland in Central Florida, all right!
Prancing in a Winter Wonderland
