| A
Royal Christmas - Detroit, Michigan
| December 7 |
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| Venue
Photo |
=Notes=
Gwendolyn Basala
is our guest reviewer for Charlotte's 4th stop on the A Royal
Christmas tour in Detroit, Michigan.
>>Read
Fan Review
=Photos=
Taken
By Gwendolyn Basala
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Entire
Cast Greet the Audience
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=Fan
Review=
Thanks
to long time viewer Gwendolyn Basala
A
Royal Christmas arrives in Detriot
When I first found charlottechurch.net (almost two
years ago) I was really disappointed to find that Charlotte had
been in the area three days earlier. That was when I became
addicted to the site; I never wanted to miss such an opportunity
again. Needless to say, when I saw that Charlotte was coming to
Detroit I was more than thrilled. The day the tickets went on
sale, I rushed to the local ticketmaster and got the best seats
available.
On the great day, my Mom and I drove the 2 1/2 hours to Detroit,
where we met several people also going. We got to the arena at
6:30 even though the doors didn't open 'til 7:00, and stood in
the freezing causeway for half a hour. Once inside, we found our
seats and I left on a quest to find Charlotte. I had drawn a
picture from Dream a Dream that I wanted to give to her in
person, and after talking to several hard-hearted security
guards, I found one more sympathetic. He had to ask the
production staff if I could go back, but by the time he got a
slightly positive response, it was "too close to opening
time to let the young lady see Miss. Church." So I went to
enjoy the concert.
Our seats were over the ice, and were hard, cold metel folding
chairs, but when the concert began I forgot all about them. The
lights went out and the orchestra started playing 'O Come All Ye
Faithful', and the choir joined in and built up to a loud,
glorious climax as Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer walked
out hand in hand. They proceded to introduce the event;
explaining why it was a "royal" Christmas show. Just
before exiting, they said, "and also, joining us from the
kingdom of Wales, the royally talented, and very adorable,
Charlotte Church." My heart gave a big thump. There she
was, walking onto the stage looking so beautiful and alive. She
talked for a little bit, saying how glad she was to be there,
and now much she loves coming to America, especially as it's
"really great for Christmas shopping." Just from the
way she talked I could see why people love her. She seemed so
free and unspoiled and such fun to be around! And then she
started to sing. I don't know the name of the song, but it was
wonderful. She sang straight from her heart, and you could hear
the sincerity in every note. After that, she sang 'The Christmas
Song', and I can just say that it was sooooo much better than on
her CD.
I can't clearly remember the program of the concert, and only a
few things really stand out in my mind. I know that before the
intermission Charlotte sang another song, again, I don't know
its name; it was a sad, haunting song filled with pathos about a
bird who's mate was killed by a falcon. Mr. Plummer also did a
reading of Scrooge, and a song "I Hate People" from
Scrooge's point of view. It was highly amusing. The bell choir
did 'Carol of the Bells' one of my favorite Christmas songs.
Julie A. half sang/read 'I Saw Three Ships Go Sailing By' and
there were some other numbers.
After the intermission Charlotte came out again with a different
outfit on, and sang 'Imagine'.
It sounds so plain when I say it, I wish words worked better so
I could fully describe what she really sounded like. And then
came my biggest thrill of the night. She sang 'Bridge Over
Troubled Waters' and it was so different and yet the same. She
did put lots of little jumpy things into the melody, and her
accent was a bit more Americanized, but I liked it better. How
could I not, when it was obvious her whole heart was in her
song.
There was also dancing, and more songs and readings, and a very
funny dialogue by C.P. and J.A. between Santa and Mrs. Clause.
But the rest of the evening swirls in my mind and is mostly a
feeling; a dream that I can never forget. Except for the end
finale, I will never ever EVER forget that. Charlotte joined the
other two on stage and led the audience in singed several well
known carols; then finished with 'Silent Night' solo, but had
everyone join in at the end. I didn't used to like 'Silent
Night', I always thought it was too overdone, but now I love it.
It always makes me think of Charlotte, and the most thrilling
evening of my life.
BTW, I never did get to meet Charlotte, but the staff gave her
the drawing. I hope she likes it.
~Gwendolyn~
~Elen sila lumen omentielvo~
=Discussion=
>>Charlotte
in Concert Forum
>>Fall
2002 Tour Guide
>>Visit
Sony Music's Official Prelude Site
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