AES Yuletide Celebration – Courtesy of Tom Russo, Used with permission.
I’m not sure if it is some sort of record, but I have reviewed each ‘Yuletide Celebration’ performed during the past 39 years it has been presented by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I consider that coverage a highlight of my career. The ISO Pops performances under conductor Jack Everly and executive producer Ty Johnson have been outstanding, including this year’s show I attended Tuesday at Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis.
AES Yuletide Celebration – Courtesy of Tom Russo, Used with permission.
Over the years, the lavish production has been hosted by luminaries such as Ann Hampton Callaway & Liz Callaway, Ben Crawford, Angela Brown, Josh Kaufman, Frankie Moreno, and six-time host Sandy Patti, so it can always be expected that Yuletide hosts will set the tone for an evening of high-caliber entertainment. Carrying out that heritage were this year’s co-hosts, Broadway star Ashley Brown and multi-genre tenor Curtis Bannister, both of whom displayed chemistry and delivered remarkable vocal performances that set the bar even higher for future hosts.
Superbly accompanying the leads, supporting performers, and corps of uber-talented of singers-dancrs-actors was the versatile Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra that shone as they demonstrated why they are regarded as a world-class group of highly gifted musicians.
Billed as A Grand Holiday Tradition, the show, sponsored by AES, Indiana, included audience favorites such as The Night Before Christmas feature and the Tap Dancing Santas number, which once again closed the first act with a resounding bang. This year’s production was unique for the refreshed new look bestowed on it by choreographer and former Yuletide performer Jennifer Ladner. The show’s production values were outstanding, matching the quality of top Broadway performances. The lighting, sound design, and costumes by Clare Henkel—who is retiring after 24 years as Yuletide’s costumer—were all flawless.
AES Yuletide Celebration – Courtesy of Tom Russo, Used with permission.
There were so many highlights in the show that are deserving of note, but several stood out prominently. They included ISO concert master Kevn Lin on violin, who performed a Vivaldi composition during Clare Couture: The Yuletide Collection, during which cast members modeled sumptuous gowns designed by Henkel for previous productions. Other standout performances included Brown performing I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Bannister & Company playing a medley of Canti di Natale, Jesu Bambino, and Panis Angelicus, and Brown with Bannisters delivering a show-stopping version of David Foster’s The Prayer. Adding luster to the show was the dance troupe Expressenz, the contemporary dance group that showed artistry and technical perfection in Rudolph!
For tickets to AES Yuletide Celebration, which continues through Dec. 23, visit indiaapolissymphony.org
