Event offers songs, dance and comedy

OREM — Original Christmas music and an a cappella choir from Atlanta launch the holiday season at the SCERA Center for the Arts.

Entertainers and recording artists Steve and Lisa James present "Return to Christmas," a family music event that features original and traditional Christmas songs, dance and comedy.

Mitch Hall of Hall and James Productions shared production duties. Steve James wrote the script and included some 70 percent of the Christmas songs.

James compares it to a nostalgic Radio City Music Hall review. Guest performers include the a cappella ensemble Class Addition and Kim Delgrosso's locally trained holiday dancers. Class Addition comprises the harmonies of three brothers and a sister. Three of Steve and Lisa James' children — ages 5, 7 and 9 — also perform.

"The 3-year-old won't get on stage," Steve James said.

Steve James has recorded more than 200 original songs in Hollywood, Nashville, Atlanta and Salt Lake City, many with Lisa James. He created the music for Prevention Dimensions, which is found in Utah elementary school classrooms as part of the state's health core curriculum.

A wide variety of musical styles will be showcased in "Return to Christmas" as the Jameses offer comedy with "The Santa of the Opera," "Allergic to Christmas" and "Christmas Commercial Carols" and then create a sense of reverence with the angelic ring of "Stille Nacht" and "Orate Voc Pastores."

Other selections include a rocking 1950s sound with "Jingle All the Way," a Latin version of "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," and a lilting "Christmas Reunion," which takes its roots in Scotland.

The Jameses have been featured entertainers for such events as the World Congress of Families in Geneva, Switzerland; the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Detroit; the international gathering for the World Policy Center; and the National Community Service/Points of Light Conference. The Jameses have entertained international and national dignitaries from Egypt's Jehan Sadat to Archbishop Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo and first lady Laura Bush.

If you go

What: "Return to Christmas"

Where: SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State, Orem

When: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 9, 2 p.m. matinees Dec. 2, 9

Cost: $14/$12 children

Phone: 225-2569

Web: www.scera.org

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com