{"id":13860,"date":"2017-12-15T14:09:17","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T19:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=13860"},"modified":"2017-12-15T14:09:20","modified_gmt":"2017-12-15T19:09:20","slug":"on-stage-bonus-jojos-holiday-variety-show-ready-to-get-you-in-the-mood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=13860","title":{"rendered":"On Stage (Bonus): JoJo\u2019s Holiday Variety Show ready to get you in the mood"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Now that the holiday season has arrived, there are many, many concert options. But, it is also a good time to consider attending a stage production such as a play, a ballet performance or even a modern-day version of the old variety show.<\/p>\n

On December 15, Joey Sweeney and a bunch of other artists from around the Delaware Valley will be presenting a modern-day variety show at Maas Building (1325 North Randolph Street, Philadelphia, https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/149475212487812<\/a>) \u2013 and it\u2019s being staged for a good cause.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoJo\u2019s Holiday Variety Show\u201d will feature performances by Joey Sweeney & the Neon Grease, Beat Jams, Hi Soft, The Not-Fur-Longs, The Birdsall Band and Settled Arrows. Also featured will be comedians Doogie Horner and Jaime Fontaine. Additionally, the event will feature a fire pit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show is being staged as a benefit for Rock to the Future,\u201d said Sweeney, during a phone interview Thursday from his Philadelphia home.<\/p>\n

\u201cRock to the Future is an after-school music program for Philly kids. We connected with them through the label we used for our holiday EP \u2013The Giving Groove. It\u2019s a new Philly label that gives half of all its profits to Philly music charities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmilin\u2019 Through\u201d is the new holiday EP from Sweeney. It was just released along with the first single, the original track\u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t Kill Yourself This Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Joey Sweeney<\/p><\/div>\n

Sweeney teamed up with\u00a0The Giving Groove\u00a0for the sales of the EP (it hits streaming services on 12\/15) and they will be donating all proceeds\u00a0directly to\u00a0Rock to the Future, a 501(c)3 organization that provides music education for Philadelphia\u2019s underserved youth, at no cost to them or their families.\u00a0Rock to the Future aims to empower individuals and strengthen communities through programs that ignite passion and creativity, support academic achievement, and improve self-esteem.<\/p>\n

To raise as much money\u00a0and\u00a0awareness for Rock To The Future as possible, and on top of sales of the EP, Joey Sweeney and The Giving Groove are also giving folks other\u00a0fun-tiered options on their website to raise additional money.\u00a0$20 gets you admission for two to\u00a0Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease\u2019s holiday variety show on December 15\u00a0at the MAAS Building in Philadelphia, $100 will bring Sweeney directly to your door to personally serenade you with Christmas carols on December 20th (metro Philly only), and for $500, the band will do a house show at your place anywhere within 60 miles of Philly in January or February.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t Kill Yourself This Christmas\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0a Sweeney original that confronts Seasonal Affective Disorder head-on while channeling Jimmy Stewart, The Waitresses and of course, The Boss. The EP also includes covers of two holiday classics,\u00a0\u201cSmiling Thru\u201d\u00a0(a nearly 100-year-old Tin Pan Alley classic made famous by Bing Crosby and Judy Garland), rendered here with sleigh bells, of course, as well as smoldering saxophone, grand piano, and guest harp by Jesse Sparhawk. Rounding out the EP is the traditional New Year\u2019s classic \u201cAuld Lang Syne,” done up here as a raucous homage to the Mekons, the Pogues and other people who like to imbibe around the holidays.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did the EP immediately after recording a new album that we\u2019ll release early next year,\u201d said Sweeney. \u201cWe recorded the album in North Jersey \u2013 at the Magic Door Recording in Montclair. It was produced by Ray Ketchem, who is in the band Elk City. We initially tracked some stuff in Philly and then did the rest with him in New Jersey. The album will come out in late winter or early spring. It depends on how long it takes to get the vinyl pressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sweeney\u2019s immediate focus is on his holiday show this weekend.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show has a shared stage setup,\u201d said Sweeney. \u201cWe run it like a TV variety show as much as we can. It\u2019s a 90-minute show and everybody does two or three songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmission to the show is \u2018pay-what-you-can\u2019 but the suggested donation is $10. All the acts are donating their time. It should be a great show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Joey Sweeney \u2013 https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/veryrealjoeysweeney\/videos\/961534774000551<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Maas Building will start at 8 p.m. Suggested donation for admission is $10.<\/p>\n

Every year when the Christmas season arrives, The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) presents either an original holiday production or a staging of a non-holiday family classis.<\/p>\n

This year, it\u2019s the latter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Now through December 23, The Candlelight is presenting the timeless classic \u201cDisney Beauty and the Beast.\u201d The role of the Beast is played by Justin Moore, a veteran of European opera, while Belle is portrayed by Natalie Schaffer.<\/p>\n

If you took a poll of young girls and asked them to name their favorite heroine, no doubt the overwhelming majority would say \u201cBelle\u201d from \u201cBeauty and the Beast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first show I ever saw was \u2018Beauty and the Beast\u2019,\u201d said Schaffer, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. \u201cI saw it on Broadway with my mom when I was seven years old. That was the show that really got me interested in doing theater.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Natalie Schaeffer<\/p><\/div>\n

Schaffer grew up in Bucks County and graduated form Council Rock South High School. She studied in the theater program at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York and graduated in May.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got into theater really young,\u201d said Schaffer. \u201cI always liked to sing. For my eighth birthday, I saw \u2018Aida\u2019 on Broadway. That\u2019s when I said \u2013 \u2018Mom, I want to be on Broadway.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI took dances classes all my childhood and got into theater in high school. My first part in high school was Dorothy in \u2018Wizard of Oz.\u2019 We had a really good theater program at Council Rick South.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d is a traditional fairy tale that originated in France several centuries ago. In 1991, Disney produced \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d as a musical animated film. It won Academy Awards for \u201cBest Song<\/a>\u201d and \u201cBest Original Score\u201d and was the first animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award for \u201cBest Picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few years later, the score was expanded and the story was transformed into a stage production. \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d opened on Broadway in April 1994 and a year later was a Tony Award winner.<\/p>\n

Schaffer had no trouble stepping into the role of Belle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like the fact that from Day One, Belle had a mind of her own,\u201d said Shaffer, who has also performed in stage productions of \u201cAnything Goes,\u201d Phantom of the Opera,\u201d and \u201cTitanic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wants to experience everything she can out of life. She never gives up. She always strives for something better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some challenges to playing Belle. She is so brave in every way and part of that comes out as open vulnerability. The challenge is trying to get both sides of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d has been around for more than a quarter of a century and its popularity has never waned.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt stays popular because it\u2019s a classic story of overcoming the odds,\u201d said Schaffer. \u201cLove conquers all. The show just has a magical vibe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cDisney Beauty and the Beast\u201d (original movie) \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/MmWBIxbn7Nk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cDisney Beauty and the Beast\u201d is running now through December 23 at the Candlelight Theater. Tickets, which include a tasty buffet dinner, are $63 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Belle will also be making an appearance at another stage show in the area this weekend. The Philadelphia Theatre Company is presenting everyone\u2019s favorite princesses \u2013 including Belle — in a heart-warming afternoon concert for the entire family.<\/p>\n

Princess Holiday Concert,\u201cA Dream Is A Wish: Holiday Princess Concert\u201d will be performed on December 17 at 3:15 p.m. at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad Street<\/a>, Philadelphia, philadelphiatheatrecompany.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

During \u201cA Dream Is A Wish: Holiday Princess Concert,\u201d audiences will sing along with a gathering of princesses from popular movie musicals and television shows in a one-day-only event this Sunday afternoon. Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite prince or princess.<\/p>\n

In \u201cA Dream Is A Wish: Holiday Princess Concert,\u201d Cinderella is planning a holiday celebration for all the wonderful people of the kingdom and all of her princess friends.\u00a0 The newest and youngest princess, Sofia, became a princess overnight and wishes to be the best princess that she can be. Through meeting Belle, Mulan, Rapunzel, Anna and Elsa, Moana, and Ariel at the party, Sofia learns that each princess has obstacles to overcome and her own path to discover but no matter what, if she\u2019s true to herself, she will find her way.<\/p>\n

Audiences journey along with Sofia as she learns what \u201cbeing a princess is all about,\u201d and they\u2019ll sing along with more than 16 favorites such as \u201cA Dream Is a Wish,\u201d \u201cLet It Go,\u201d \u201cReflection,\u201d \u201cPart of Your World,\u201d \u201cMarshmallow World,\u201d \u201cFrosty the Snowman,\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,\u201d and \u201cRudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.\u201d
\nThe producer of the show is Angelo Fraboni, the Artistic Director of Molloy College\u2019s Madison Theater.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do the show annually at the Madison Theater at Molloy and it\u2019s been pretty successful,\u201d said Fraboni, during a phone interview last week. \u201cThat show is done in April \u2013 three shows a day.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis production in Philadelphia is a hybrid show adding Christmas music. We re-wrote the show to add a holiday theme. It\u2019s a 60-minute show geared for kids ages 4-12.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time we\u2019ve taken the show to another theater. Paige Price (Philadelphia Theatre Company\u2019s Producing Artistic Director ) called me about a couple shows I\u2019m doing and I recommended this show because it\u2019s so popular.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps introduce younger audiences to the theater. And, who doesn\u2019t like princesses? The actresses who play the princesses love it because they get mobbed by the kids.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeather Sawyer, who plays Mulan, wrote the script for the Christmas show. And, we added a new princess for the Philadelphia show \u2013 Sofia from the Disney Channel<\/p>\n

Following the show, all the little princesses and princes in attendance will be invited to meet the cast in a special post-show meet-and-greet. Holiday cookies and apple cider will add to the festive afternoon. Attendees are invited to bring their cameras to take photos after the show with the cast. No photos during the show will be allowed.
\nAccording to Price, \u201cThe Holiday Princess Concert is the perfect way for Philadelphia Theatre Company to be part of early memories for children experiencing live theatre for the first time. PTC has traditionally been the destination for work best enjoyed by teen and adult audiences. We know that the love of live theatre often begins with very young children taken to performances by a family member.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy combining music, audience interaction and a family-friendly story in a relaxed environment, we hope to light that spark of interest that we know lasts a lifetime with theatre-goers. My hope is that we see generations come out and make theater a new holiday tradition. We want to see grandparents, parents and little ones sharing the magic of theatre together.\u201d
\nTickets are $35 at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org<\/a>, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420<\/a>. This production will be a relaxed performance that welcomes children with autism or sensory or emotional sensitivities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Now that the holiday season has arrived, there are many, many concert options. But, it is also a good time to consider attending a stage production such as a play, a ballet performance or even a modern-day version of the old variety show. On December 15, Joey Sweeney […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13862,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4357],"tags":[6513,3162,6514,6512,6515],"class_list":["post-13860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-candlelight-theatre","tag-featured","tag-joey-sweeney","tag-jojos-holiday-variety-show","tag-natalie-schaeffer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13860"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13861,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13860\/revisions\/13861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}