It’s the most wonderful time of the year! One of my very favorite Christmas shows is Christmas Canteen, Gwinnett County’s longest running theatrical holiday tradition at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, so I was thrilled to be their guest again this year.
It's a true variety show with music, dancing and comedy galore! There is literally something for everyone with a staggering fifty musical numbers! They run the gambit from fun family favorites like Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town to the moving O Holy Night by Bryant Smith and a gospel jubilation of Joy to the World by Terry Henry that had the whole audience clapping!
No matter if attired in bathing suits, jammies, tuxedos or evening gowns, this extremely talented cast entertained us, made us laugh out loud, brought back memories, made our hearts swell with pride and our eyes well with tears while reminding us Don't Save It All For Christmas Day, but spread love all year. Recommended for all ages, Christmas Canteen 2014 will warm the hearts of your whole family just in time for the holidays. Don't miss this spectacular show!
Veteran actors Brandon O’Dell, Bryant Smith, Randi Garza, Brian Walker, Terry Henry and Liza Jaine make up this amazing cast along with apprentices Ilia Angelene, Luke Georgeclnk and Greg Hunter. The show is directed by Anthony Rodriguez with choreography by Ricardo Aponte and music direction by Ann-Carol Pence. The design team consists of Alan Yeong (costumes), Phil Male (set), Daniel Pope (sound and projections) and Mary Parker (lights). Ann-Carol Pence is at the piano, joined onstage by the Canteen Band with Mark Biering (percussion), Greg Armijo (bass) and Jim Stallings (guitar).
Spreading extra cheer is Aurora’s annual Festival of Trees, supporting the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Gwinnett’s local food banks. More than 25 local businesses are set to join efforts to deck Aurora’s halls with beautifully decorated trees for visitors to enjoy. Theatre goers are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item and place them under their favorite tree. The tree with the most gifts underneath it at the end of the festival will be named Best of the Fest. All of the gifts will be donated to the United States Corps Toys for Tots and the food items will go toward the Holtkamp Can Challenge to be delivered to local food banks.
Christmas Canteen 2014 is presented November 20- December 21, 2014. Tickets range from $30-$50 per person and discount matinees on Wednesday, December 17th at 10 a.m. start at $20 per person. Tickets can be purchased online attickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222.