Irish tenor brings 'Christmas from Ireland' to CLC
Michael Londra, the Irish tenor best known as the voice of "Riverdance" on Broadway, will present "A Christmas from Ireland," a performance told in song, dance and story at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.
In "A Christmas from Ireland," audiences will hear traditional Irish carols like "Winter, Fire and Snow" and a Gaelic version of "Oiche Ciuin" ("Silent Night"). The evening will also feature Celtic songs of a new Ireland, including Londra's carol "Beyond the Star," which has been recorded and performed by choirs worldwide.
He sings many carols more familiar to U.S. audiences such as "O Come Emmanuel" and "The First Noel," but performed in a Celtic, more traditional style.
Irish musicians will join Londra onstage to perform age-old Celtic airs on the haunting uilleann pipes, fiddle, low whistles and the national drum of Ireland, the bodhran, thrilling audiences with their own frenetic traditional jigs and reels.
The musicians are some of the most popular in the U.S., playing festivals and concerts throughout the year. The Celtic Fire dancers from Londra's dance spectacular will perform traditional and modern dances and steps especially choreographed to celebrate the holiday season.
Londra will tell the tale of how the famed "Wexford Carol" was born and reputedly found in a churchyard in the 13th century in his home county. His recording of this carol is featured on Jim Brickman's "Christmas from the Heart" and is considered one of the most popular recordings of the piece.
Londra has performed in 20 countries and also tours as lead voice and producer of the Irish spectacular "Celtic Fire." He coproduced his own TV special for PBS TV, which aired more than 400 times nationally in North America. His holiday album, "Beyond the Star," is a Christmas classic on adult contemporary radio.
Tickets are $38-$48 for regular admission; $37-$47 for seniors, CLC staff and alumni; $15 for CLC students and teens; and $12 for children. A $2 per ticket JLC facility fee will be added at the time of purchase. Other fees may apply to Internet purchases.
CLC student tickets are not available for online purchase. Teen and children tickets must be purchased with adult-priced tickets.
For more information or to order tickets, visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets or call (847) 543-2300 (option 5). The box office is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The College of Lake County Grayslake campus is at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.