PRESS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 16, 2023
FloArts presents “Home for the Holidays”
Florida School of the Arts presents “Home for the Holidays,” a Hollywood-themed Christmas variety show Dec. 1-3. From left Brandall Kearse, Jordan Fletcher, Stevie Bush and Alexander Heck.
Florida School of the Arts presents “Home for the Holidays,” a Hollywood-themed Christmas variety show Dec. 1-3 featuring selections from the Nutcracker. From left are Alexis Brockway and Ciara McCarthy.
Calling all kids from 1 to 92 – it’s a “Home for the Holidays” Christmas variety show at Florida School of the Arts. The show features classic Hollywood-themed performances hosted by “Judy Garland” (portrayed by Stevie Bush) with holiday favorites sung by Musical Theatre Vocal Company students. Special appearances include “Liza Minelli” (portrayed by Jordan Fletcher) and “Barbara Streisand” (portrayed by Sara Story). Selections from the Nutcracker will also be performed by FloArts dance students.
The show runs December 1 - 3 on the FloArts main stage, with evening performances at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Admission is $10. FloArts is located at the St. Johns River State College Palatka Campus.
According to FloArts musical theater professor Russell Franks, the show is loosely based on the Hollywood stars whom many identify as the quintessential artists of Christmas classics, such as Andy Williams and Bing Crosby, among many more. “From the early days of popular television, entertainers invited us into their cozy-looking living rooms, built on sound stages in Hollywood. They sang Christmas carols surrounded by family and friends, allowing us a glimpse of what American life might look like during the holiday season,” Franks said. “The earliest of such programs was pioneered by Perry Como, who became a mainstay of holiday tradition. Another Hollywood icon to follow in the footsteps of these pioneers was Judy Garland, who opens the show with ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’.”
Additional Christmas favorites will include The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Sleigh Ride, Home for the Holidays, We Need A Little Christmas, Winter Wonderland, and more.
Be sure to arrive early! Santa and his elves will be on hand for photos and Christmas karaoke with kids of all ages in the breezeway before each performance.
The cast includes Autumn Airey, Eric Barnum, Alexis Brockway, Alexis Brown, Stevie Bush, Kaylee Cravey, Christian Davis, Jordan Fletcher, Olivia Gonzalez, Jalen Hardy, Thalia Hart, Cassidy Heath, Alexander Heck, Lillian Johnson, Luke Keeley, Ian Leduc, Ciara McCarthy, Makari Nealy, Josue Jorge Silva, Brandall Kearse, Lorelai Kissling, Annika Klee, Farentino Lennox, Charlie Mack, Noah Perez, Sara Story, director Russell Franks, choreographer Jessica Mayhew, scenic designer Tim Castell, light/sound designer Victoria Sanders, and costume designer Tiffany Jordan.
Patrons are encouraged to participate in the Feed the Need food drive that supports Putnam County children. Items that can be dropped off before the performance include juice boxes, potted meat, ramen noodles, oatmeal, mac and cheese, breakfast foods, fruits cups, and applesauce.
Florida School of the Arts is located on the St. Johns River State College Palatka Campus and serves the entire state of Florida. FloArts is part of the academic and administrative structure of SJR State and awards associate degrees in acting, dance performance, musical theater, stage management, theater technology, graphic design/new media and studio art. For more information, call (386) 312-4300 or visit https://www.sjrstate.edu/floarts.
Florida School of the Arts presents “Home for the Holidays,” a Hollywood-themed Christmas variety show Dec. 1-3. Santa and his elves will be available for photos and karaoke before each performance. From left are Garrett Bleau, Teoman Karaagac, and Elisa Crivelli.