Stepping Out

'Tis a musical holiday

Joyous sounds add to the festive spirit

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The holiday season sparkles with a lively concert schedule. Whether it’s an Emerald Isle twist on seasonal tunes or a showy spectacle, there’s much going on to appeal to all ages. Here’s a look at what’s around on stages nearby.

A Celtic Tenors Christmas
From the other side of the pond, the Celtic Tenors take their audience on a far-ranging musical voyage with their acclaimed renditions of Irish folk classics and favorite Christmas tunes.
Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson — otherwise known as the Celtic Tenors — bring their world-class voices and undeniable charm to Adelphi University’s Performing Arts Center, on Friday, Dec. 16. Their concert is filled with vitality and variety from start to finish. The tenors’ unique voices, appeal and wit combine for an uplifting holiday experience as they share spirited renditions of Irish folk classics and favorite Christmas tunes.

The Celtic Tenors have established themselves as the most successful classical crossover artists ever to emerge from Ireland. In 2000, following an impromptu audition at EMI in London, the three were signed on the spot to an international record deal, a highly unusual event that was the talk of the music industry.
The lads continue to re-invent the tenor idiom by pioneering a new style of cool never before seen on the classical stage, breaking the traditional stuffy tenor mold. While each has been influenced by the musical traditions from their own individual parts of Ireland, Gilsenan, Nelson and Simpson show great flexibility in melding their voices to suit the appropriate classical, folk, Irish and pop genres.
The Celtic Tenors visit the Adelphi University stage, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $40. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or www.aupac.adelphi.edu.

A South Shore Christmas Spectacular
Beloved holiday tunes are combined with a musical cabaret in a vibrant, joyous over-the-top spectacle that is the Madison Theatre’s holiday celebration, “A Home for the Holidays,” Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19. “It’s an exciting, original show that is our version of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” says Angelo Fraboni, the Madison Theatre’s artistic director.
“We have song and dance numbers and Broadway performers, along with our BFA CAP21 students and some local kids in a musical feast that highlights the season’s favorite holiday songs,” Fraboni says. “We’re doing a lot of songs that everyone will know and enjoy.”
The theatrically-styled production includes an original song specially commissioned for this show,” It’s Christmas Time,” written by Mark York.
“We’re excited to perform this song, as part of the opening number,” says Fraboni. “It is the first song in the show.”
A large cast — 36 performers in all —sets the stage for a glitzy spectacle. “We’re going to have a lot different things going on, “says Fraboni. “We’re making it feel grander, larger and taller. We are filling the stage with people.”
The diverse cast includes Broadway perfo rmers, students and children from nearby communities who participate in Molloy’s musical theater summer intensive program.
Matthew Scott and Kirsten Scott are the headliners, in their Madison Theatre debut. “They are both tremendously talent Broadway performers, who have appeared in “Jersey Boys” and many other shows, with great voices. They are a perfect fit for this show. We are very fortunate and excited to have them with us for this show.”
The Scott duo is joined by 18 aspiring performers who are all sophomores in Molloy College’s CAP21 Theatre Arts program, along with 16-person youth ensemble.
“These are a talented bunch of kids with terrific voices,” says Fraboni, of the ir role in the show, which includes numbers in which the Molloy students have the spotlight.
A six to eight-piece band provides a lively accompaniment.
“This show is set up like an advent calendar in which a mother and her three young kids go into different worlds, sort of “A Christmas Carol”-inspired,” says Fraboni. “It’s a lot of fun and very creative and magical. It’s really about discovering the true meaning of Christmas through these different worlds of Christmas.”
“We like to celebrate the holidays and want our audience to be happy and tapping their toes. We want our audience to get into the holiday spirit and walk out humming. This is our love-fest to the holiday season. It’s great family entertainment for everyone.”
Explore the many ‘worlds of Christmas’, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.; Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25-$45. Madison Theatre, Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or www.madisontheatreny.org.

Christmas with The Nassau Pops
The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, under the longtime direction of Franklin Square resident Louis Panacciulli, brings some holiday cheer to the area, next Sunday.
As is its tradition, the 60-voice Mineola Choral Society joins the NPSO for the festive concert that features all the traditional and classic Christmas favorites.
Together the orchestra and choir, along with guest vocalists Jack and Ann Cassin ,perform selections from Handel’s Messiah as well as many beloved inspirational songs of the Christmas season. Other holiday favorites will include “Sleigh Ride,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “O Holy Night,” and “Little Drummer Boy,” as well as selections by Manheim Steamroller.
The spirited concert culminates, as always, with an exuberant audience sing-along.
“Time and again audience members have said they don’t really feel the Christmas season begins until they come to this concert and they all get to participate during the popular sing-along of favorite Christmas carols, which is climaxed with the moving Hallelujah Chorus,” says Panacciulli.
See the NPSO perform, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. Admission is free. Donation of an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots is requested. Chaminade High School, 340 Jackson Ave., Mineola. (516) 565-0646 or
www.nassaupops.com.