The Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center will present its holiday traditional show Rock and Roll Xmas Spectacular virtually this year.
The show will be available for on-demand streaming beginning 7 p.m. Dec. 18 and will continue through midnight New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.
Center Director Patrick Spradlin called this show one of his organization’s most sought-after events.
“We began presenting this show about eight years ago,” Spradlin stated in a news release. “It grew from attracting a small audience in the Chalberg Theatre to selling out Tornstrom Auditorium and Cragun’s Event Centre. It is the one show we cannot not present.”
Because of obvious health concerns and protocols it is impossible to present the event in its live format, the news release stated.
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“There wouldn’t be an economically feasible way to do it, especially since we couldn’t have the size crowd we’ve become accustomed to seating,” stated Spradlin.
Ted Manderfeld and Paul Diethelm, the originators of the show, decided to produce the event virtually.
“They’ve recorded the show as it would have appeared live on stage, with some added features, and will make it available for streaming later this month,” Spradlin stated. “Everyone recognizes it’s not the same event as when it is live, but it’s still a terrific show.”
Manderfeld and Diethelm described the project in this way:
“We are bringing the excitement of Rock and Roll Xmas Spectacular directly to you! Registration is easy and as a thank you to all our fans/patrons, we are offering this show for a ‘Pay What You Want’ price. It’s been a tough year for everyone and we want you to share the gift of music with everyone you know!”
For those not familiar with the show, it is a high-energy evening of fun, laughter and terrific rock and roll music with a holiday theme, the release stated.
“Imagine what it would be like if Jethro Tull did ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,’ or Janis Joplin’s ‘Take Another Piece of My Heart’ was really a song about taking back to the store unwanted Christmas presents,” Spradlin stated. “This show combines song parodies with incredible musicianship, but also delivers some really wonderful rock versions of traditional Christmas songs.”
The message from Manderfeld and Diethelm is simple:
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“Join us from the luxury of your own living rooms, basements and mangers as we saddle up our camels to deliver all of the rock and roll spirit that this ‘un-present-dented’ holiday season deserves! We’ll be cooking up a setlist of time honored RRXS classics, plus a few surprises, all recorded live on stage and delivered to you whenever you decide to pull the RRXS cyber-trigger!”
People may purchase an e-ticket, which allows access to the show, any time between now and the final performance at midnight Dec. 31 by visiting clcperformingarts.com .
“The idea was to make this available to anyone regardless of ability to pay, which is why the beginning price point is set so low,” stated Spradlin.
Manderfeld ended by stating, “So knock back a shot of Stacy Bauer’s patented ‘Jingle Juice’ and let us cyber-rock your chestnuts off!”
