STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
The headliner was Heidi Hogan, who was ready to take the audience on a “Sleigh Ride” through such Christmas favorites as “Mary Did You Know?” “Blue Christmas” and the flirtatious “Santa Baby.”
But it was a cherubic little tot with wispy blond hair wearing a white sweater with red valentine hearts and clutching a candy cane who won over hearts during the preshow of Sun Valley Opera and Broadway’s inaugural Family Festivities and Christmas Concert last week.
The tot would inch close to Santa Claus, who was brought to Sun Valley from the North Pole for the afternoon by the Caritas Chorale’s Richard Stahl. She would hold out her candy cane to Santa. Then, before he could take it, she would back off, run away and start the process all over, never quite making it to Santa’s lap like so many of the little boys and girls who came that afternoon.
By all accounts, Sun Valley Opera’s first attempt to create a festive Christmas gathering was a resounding success.
Grandparents and parents watched with pride as their young’uns bellied up to Santa while John Maulden’s Colla Voce and R.L. Rowsey’s Caritas Chorale took turns performing Christmas carols. And everyone sipped complimentary wine, hot chocolate and cider as they nibbled on Christmas cookies and hors d’oeuvres provided by The Village Market.
Many captured the memories as they unfolded on their cellphones.
“This is another opportunity to bring families into our mix,” said Carrie Morrow. The spirit of Christmas—this is what Christmas is all about. The spirit of Christmas and beautiful voices.”
“It’s great festive fun in the day time,” added Kim Cathleen Verde.
Hogan, who was introduced to Sun Valley as a youngster by her grandmother—film star Ann Sothern—has performed everything from Broadway to the saucy pop tunes The Vuarnettes used to sing.
“I’m sure some of you have enjoyed a wonderful sleigh ride during Christmas in Sun Valley,” she told the audience as she segued into “Sleigh Ride.” “It brings back such memories for me climbing into that big sleigh…hearing the horse clip clop over freshly fallen snow.”
Hogan reminisced about sitting at the family’s Steinway piano as a 5-year-old belting out “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” as her grandmother recorded 30 takes on a cassette recorder.
“My grandmother’s favorite Christmas song was “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” she added, as she sang the song to audience members seated around cabaret tables under blue lights.
The festive occasion was just a warmup to Sun Valley Opera and Broadway’s Winterfest 24:
Broadway star Q. Smith, who plays Hannah in the Tony Award-winning musical “Come from Away,” will present a Diva Party and Concert called Broadway Bound at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at The Argyros. The musical selections include a ‘60s Medley, musical theater selections and gospel numbers. And there will be a full bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Silver Fox Catering.
Soprano Natalia Santaliz, resident artist at Opera San Jose during the 2022-23 season, will present “Bohemia Romantica” at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at Gail Severn Gallery. The concert will include selections from “The Music Man,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “La La Land.”
Natalia Santaliz will also sing at a Queen of Hearts High Tea and Salon in a private home Feb. 13. The concert, which will feature selections from “The Sound of Music,” “My Fair Lady,” West Side Story” and Giovanni Capurro, will be catered by Silver Fox Catering.
Learn more at https://www.sunvalleyopera.com/.