Christmas at the Palace Returns this Weekend

Christmas at the Palace fills the Marion Palace stage with holiday entertainment Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 4 at 2:00pm. The concept originated in 1982 by director Ula Watts. The show is formatted with the intent of bringing a holiday event to the theatre that includes community groups such as choirs, singers, musicians, dancers and more.

1982’s show played to sold out crowds and was brought back in 1984 and 1988.  Upon Watts’ retirement, her choreographer of 20 years, Clare Cooke, took the reins of Christmas at the Palace in 1990, 1992, 1994 and 2009.

This year’s production is titled “Spirit of the Season” and includes familiar acts such as the PM Tap Line, “Tap Cats” Tap Line, Martha Douce Lyrical Dancers & Martiettes, Edye Cook Dance Company, Harding Singers, River Valley Music Company, Marion Concert Band, the Palace Orchestra and more!

New to Christmas at the Palace this year are acts such as 4 the Record, Nine (an all-male a cappella group from Marion’s First Church of the Nazarene), Sweet Adelines and the Marion Community Gospel Choir.

Over 400 talented individuals make up this year’s cast.  Bruce Cudd returns as Santa Claus and Sharon Gale as Mrs. Claus, while Julia Vanderhoff reprises her role as Sassy the unruly elf.  Charles Groth brings to life a new character named Elfus.

Newly appointed Executive Director Bev Ford appreciates the event for what it means to both the community and the Palace Theatre.

“I love this event.  Where else can you find such a diverse group of people joining together to lend their time and their talent to bring Christmas cheer to their community.  It is truly a labor of love from Clare all the way down to the tiniest cast member.”

“Additionally, Christmas at the Palace provides the vehicle for some folks to make their way into the theatre for the very first time so they can support their friends and family.  This show is a remarkable way to celebrate our community’s talent and the ‘Spirit of the Season’ at the same time.” 

Tickets for this family-friendly holiday show are $15 and $20 ($10 for children and students).  They may be purchased at the Palace box office, 276 W. Center St. in downtown Marion or by phone at 740/383-2101.  Box office hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.  Information for all shows and tickets is also online at www.marionpalace.org.  Real Living Generations Realty and Marion General Hospital co-sponsor this holiday variety show with additional partnerships from Allen & Sharon Gale, Scharer Insurance, Marion Technical College, Wilson Bohannan, Marion Flower Shop, Kohl's and Cogburn Electric.

The Palace has additional holiday events this December including a free showing of the film “Home Alone” immediately following the Downtown Christmas Parade December 3rd and the Osmond Brothers’ Christmas Show December 9th.