Best chance for tickets at The Freed Center -
Thursday evening & Saturday matinee
Call box office 419-772-1900

By Monty Siekerman
Something old, something new--that's this year's ONU Holiday Spectacular which opens Thursday with one of 4 performances at the Freed Center followed the next weekend with 4 performances at the Civic Center in Lima.

Several new songs, characters, costumes, choreography, scenes are added each year to keep the production fresh, explained Kirsten Osbun-Manley who has directed the two-city extravaganza for the past 10 years. She has been involved in the Holiday Spectacular, first as vocal coach, ever since it began its long run 23 years ago.

But to add new material, and equal amount needs to be deleted to keep the show within an hour and 15 minutes. Kirsten said that many children come to see the productions, so the show can't be too long.

Certain songs/scenes must be repeated annually--O Holy Night, Toy Soldiers, Santa Baby--because they are so popular. New songs this year include Holly, Jolly Christmas and Let Yourself Go.

This year, about 120 people are involved in the production, including actors/dancers, orchestra, and stage crew.

Ticket information
For tickets and further information, call 419-772-1900. Information about ticket prices and dates/times of performances was posted earlier in the Ada Icon.