David Archuleta. Need I say more? For many teenage girls -- me included! -- not at all!
Now, if you throw in a dash of nostalgic, classic Christmas charm, a stage actor retelling a magical and historical story, and music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, parents are just as eager to join in the festivities. This year's "Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra," with special guests David Archuleta and Michael York, was impressive and heartwarming!
The stage was set with giant red candles and larger-than-life gingerbread houses so right from the start, the audience enjoyed the ambience and Old World charm. The program was filled to the brim with favorite carols as well as equally beautiful, lesser-known Christmas songs.
Once the music began, the unmistakable feeling of Christmas entered the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City. The dancers had the audience bouncing along to the whimsical rhythms of "A Christmas Roundelay." Following with classic carols of "It Came upon the Midnight Clear" and "Joy to the World," David Archuleta made his entrance with the rosy-red cheeks and bashful smiles that everyone, even Simon Cowell, can't resist! Dressed in a black suit with an evergreen vest, Archuleta had the crowd melting with his rendition of "Gesú Bambino."
Bringing in the classic vibes, the choir sang "Ring out Ye Crystal Spheres from Hodie." Archuleta soon returned with more carols, organist Richard Elliot performed "A Holiday Hoedown for Organ (Deck the Halls)" and the dancers joined the choir on "Three Dancing Carols."
Michael York rounded out the evening by narrating the biography of John Parry, the original organizer and conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. York's storytelling and verbal artistry enthralled the entire audience. Later, Archuleta, York, the dancers, the bell ringers, and the choir all joined for an encore, "Angels, from the Realms of Glory."
Between the beautiful artistry of York's storytelling, Archuleta's angelic voice and the combined ambience of the bells, dancers and choir, it's not hard to assume that the audience would never want to leave this concert!
Abby Payne is a junior at Bear River High. E-mail her at wild_cherry1994@hotmail.com.
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