The Lovely Sounds of Christmas
Synopsis

Three characters, a grandmother and her two grandchildren, connect the various
parts of the show which creates a wonderful thread for the entire production.

ACT ONE

The show opens with a delightful song, CHRISTMAS IS FOR THE YOUNG (AND THE YOUNG AT HEART), featuring the entire cast singing of the special reasons they enjoy Christmas. This is followed by the title piece, THE LOVELY SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS, a choral work which features several soloists and SATB chorus. Next is GLORIA AND ALLELUIA, a triumphant blend of voices. The section closes with an upbeat SATB work, ALLELUIA CALYPSO.

The first one act musical, THE NIGHT WE SAVED SANTA CLAUS, follows. A one-act mini-opera written in the style of Mozart, it's an eighteen-minute comic piece about a family trying desperately to free Santa Claus who has become stuck in their chimney! Written for 5 soloists and chorus, hilarity ensues as various tactics are tried until one finally works, the jolly man is freed from his dilemma and Christmas is saved for one and all.

Act I ends with a wonderful blending of two traditional carols, DING-DONG MERRILY ON HIGH and HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING written for SATB chorus and building with vocal excitement through the final measure.

ACT TWO

The second Act begins with a fun-filled, 25 minute one-act musical WHY TWO K. K.? The title, although inspired by the worry over the millennium change, is really an abbreviation for "WHY TWO KRIS KRINGLES?" A group of individuals disgruntled over the fact that Christmas has become so commercialized are convinced by a sinister man, Dr. Noguht, that Christmas can be stopped simply by kidnapping Santa Claus. They leave for the North Pole and, taking advantage of a sleeping Claus, are able to carry out their evil plan. Dr. Noguht then steals his clothes and takes his place to keep the others from missing the real Santa. He then declares that he is canceling Christmas because he is not feeling well. Rest assured that Dr. Nogut’s plan is eventually foiled thanks to a last minute rescue by Santa's reindeer. Then, with so little time left, Santa decides to use Dr. Noguht as his assistant in delivering the toys. Thus we have two Kris Kringles who make the journey possible. The cast includes Santa, Mrs. Claus, Dr. Noguht, Rudolph, 3 Elves, two young girls, and a chorus of reindeer and disgruntled people. Ten original songs make this a great piece for many ages to perform.

The next section features original arrangements Michael has written for a series of carols, BRING A TORCH, JEANETTE ISABELLA, ADESTE FIDELIS / O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL and STILLE NACHT / SILENT NIGHT, SATB choral pieces that will bring a traditional warmth to the Act . These are followed by an upbeat piece sung by the children in the cast , WHAT AM I GONNA BUY THIS YEAR? in which the kids wonder what they can buy their parents with their minimum amount of available funds.

Following is the third one-act musical, A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE. This 12-minute, poignant work which is entirely sung begins with Santa feeling the pressure of greedy people who want more and more gifts each year. His troubles are manifested by his elves who are threatening to go on strike for better wages. After he reads a letter from a young girl whose only wish is to see Santa on Christmas eve, he feels even more perplexed at how he can answer her request. On Christmas eve he arrives at her house only to discover that the child is blind. As she reaches for his hand she tells him that she knows he is truly Santa and that, “Faith comes in believing in the things we cannot see.” The heartwarming story affords a wonderful opportunity to showcase your actors in the characters of Santa and the young girl, as well as the voices needed for the several solos and full chorus.

The production ends with three beautiful Christmas originals: A SHEPHERD'S CAROL, written for SATB chorus and optional flute or recorder; THE ANGELS SING, written for SATB chorus and soprano soloist(s); and, finally, MY WISH FOR YOU, written for a soloist and choral background.