Music Reviews

Dec 3, 2007 - Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa! The Reno Phil's "Spirit of the Season" makes dreams come true

By Jack Neal

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa! Like vintage wine and other heady purveyors of dreams, the Reno Philharmonic’s annual “Spirit of the Season” concert just keeps getting better with age.

As played this past weekend at Reno’s Grand Theatre before near capacity and overflow crowds, the concerts - one Saturday night at 7 (12/1/07) and one Sunday afternoon at 2 (12/2/07) - were sumptuous buffets of music and entertainment worthy of New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. In his last season with the Reno Philharmonic, conductor Barry Jekowsky seems intent on leaving his large Reno fan base begging for more. And more is what this year’s throngs of concertgoers got.

Singing star Toni Tennille, one of the most gracious entertainers in show business and a Northern Nevada favorite, was on hand for an enchanting presentation of “The Night Before Christmas.” With a lush orchestral underscoring by R.A. Bass elegantly played by the Reno Philharmonic, the glamorous Miss Tennille was nothing less than captivating. The singer also reminisced with a warm-and-cozy winter’s ride through Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Jule Styne’s “Christmas Waltz,” and her own original song, and escape into nostalgia, “Tahoe Snow.”

Carrie Lyn Brandon, the young singing sensation from San Francisco, in a clever show tune called “Santa Dear” (“Santa can’t you see, I’m as nice as I can be”) proved that at a mere 14 years of age show stopping is already old hat. As if to prove show stopping is no fluke, Brandon’s talent for the dramatic soared into the stratosphere with two superlative renditions of “Once Upon a December” and “Journey to the Past.”

Directed by Barbara Walsh, the handbell ringing of Tintabulations scored solidly for a translucent “Carol of the Bells.” Brought in by producer Lesley Bandy, Las Vegas headliners Nikolai Melnikov and Iouri Safronov dazzled as the show’s Russian Acrobats. Accompanied by a melancholy “Jerusalem of Gold,” the Melnikov-Safronov act of balance, control and extraordinary physical strength was as awesome for its artistry as for its athletic prowess.

Magician’s Mark Kalin and Jinger Leigh added geography-defying illusion, and humor – firing a princess (their daughter) out of a canon. Noted for their sophisticated stage presence and wit, Kalin and Jinger (and now little princess) always please. The A.V.A Ballet Theater previewed the company’s upcoming version of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Ballet” with a pleasant “Waltz of the Flowers.”

Back again by popular demand in their red Santa outfits were the ultra-precise Misteltoe Tap Dancers - tapping and high kicking a la the Rockettes. Grand as they are, who needs the Rockettes when we have the excitement and thrill of these excellent young dancers? Choreographers Kia Grader and Jeanette Conkey are the taskmasters behind the success of the Misteltoe Dancers.

The nearly 150 singers in the Reno Philharmonic Chorus were handsomely groomed by director Jennifer Tibben-Lembke. The orchestra was in top form. The sound of these two groups, individually and collectively, was impressive. Kudos to Maestro Jekowsky for the leadership that made this large presentation come off with nary a hitch.

Kudos, also, to Lesley Bandy whose staging, attention to detail and working knowledge of this special theater (she starred for years in Donn Arden’s “Hello Hollywood, Hello” for which the room was designed) was smooth and professional on all counts. Enhanced with radiant lighting, a plush setting on the world’s largest indoor stage, and beautifully modulated amplification, this year’s edition of the Reno Philharmonic’s “Spirit of the Season” was better than ever.

The Reno Philharmonic’s “Spirit of the Season” was presented Saturday, December 1 (2007) at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 (2007) at 2 p.m., at the Grand Theatre in the Grand Sierra Hotel Casino Resort, 2500 East 2nd Street, Reno, Nevada. For information about Reno Philharmonic concerts and events call 1-775-323-6393.