Annual Carolina Opry Christmas Special

The Carolina Opry Christmas Special, “The Christmas Show of the South,” currently in its 27th season, brings you its most memorable season yet. Owner, producer, and entertainer Calvin Gilmore has been planning this production for months and is finally ready to reveal some details. The 2012 season brings stunning change neatly blended with time-honored traditions.

In addition to a holiday brass section, nationally acclaimed vocalist Joni Nathanson will be joining the cast for Christmas. Joni, widely renowned for her dynamic vocal range, her magnetic presence, and her status as a beloved Charleston entertainer, was introduced to Southeastern audiences in Gilmore’s Serenade Show which ran for 4 years in Charleston. Nathan Herron also returns for his second Christmas season. An incredible vocal talent and star of American Idol, new emcee Nathan Herron has quickly become a crowd favorite. He is joined by long-time Opry pianist Rocky Fretz, now a fixture on the international scene. A member of the original Carolina Opry cast in 1986, Rocky Fretz has been dazzling audiences for over 26 years.

“All That,” stars of NBC’s America’s Got Talent this summer, will also return with all new dance material—and some big surprises.

The holiday decorations at The Calvin Gilmore Theater are an attraction in themselves—second to none. When you enter the theater, you enter the embodied spirit of Christmas. In a dramatic one-day shut-down, the transformation into a winter wonderland begins as the crew spends all night and the entire following week preparing over 35 Christmas trees, (including a 30 foot lobby tree with 25,000 lights,) 75 wreaths, over 5 miles of tree lighting wire, countless tree ornaments, and mounds of Christmas snow!

Award winning producer, director and performer Calvin Gilmore said recently, “Right now, families and groups need light-hearted entertainment more than ever before. We are pulling out all the stops to make this the most amazing, funny, warm and wonderful show ever.” He adds, “Wait until you hear our show-stopper. Not even going to give you a hint of what it is.”

Shows run November 1, 2012 through January 5, 2013, with regular evening performances and selectively scheduled matinees. For a full schedule visit www.TheCarolinaOpry.com and to book tickets call 800-843-6779.