I had the great opportunity to see the new “This is Christmas” show last night at The Palazzo Theatre inside The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas. Fantastic for the whole family, with all well-known numbers and tunes that all ages can remember singing and listening to. Guests were fascinated by the great cast and great stage sets as they listened to Christmas classics, familiar tunes and original songs, including an only-in-Vegas number, “Christmas in Las Vegas.”
Created and produced by Pat Caddick for PC Entertainment Group, and directed by Blair Farrington, “This is Christmas”, both well-known everywhere in Las Vegas have brought together an all-star stellar cast from Broadway and “American Idol,” including: Broadway star and “American Idol” Diana DeGarmo, award-winning dance duo Alejandro Domingo and Sarah Le Clear, “American Idol” Lou Gazzara, award-winning Broadway star Randal Keith, Las Vegas headliner Jaclyn McSpadden, British singer and entertainer Ben Stone, “American Idol” Jasmine Trias, “American Idol” Laura Suzanne Wright, and Broadway star and “American Idol” Ace Young.
Accompanying the show’s vocalist is a live band, with conductor Keith Paraska on piano, Carlos Mata on saxophone and keys, Jose “Pepe” Jiménez on drums, Bob Benora on percussion, Jake Langley on guitar, Dave Richardson on keys, Bill Zappia on keys, and Jeff Zinn on bass.
Tickets start at $69.95, plus applicable fees, and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, VenetianLasVegas.com, any box office at The Venetian Resort or by calling 702.414.9000 or 866.641.7469.
And while you are in the Palazzo Theater, be sure to stroll around all the hundreds of beautiful shops, see the Grand Canal on the 2nd floor, and check out the terrific and well-known restaurants.
Dates and show times are as follows:
Dec. 9 – 12: 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 – 18: 7 p.m.
Dec. 19: 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 – 24: 7 p.m.
Dec. 25: 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Dec. 26: 3 p.m.
Here’s a little bit about each of the performers:
Diana DeGarmo (Performer/Broadway Star/”American Idol”): Singer, songwriter and full-out entertainer from Broadway stage to big screen, Diana DeGarmo has conquered it all. She shot to fame on “American Idol,” which opened doors to performing in numerous shows on Broadway and off-Broadway, National and International Tours, a recurring role on “The Young & The Restless,” movies, and much more. Diana and real life husband, Ace Young, starred in the acclaimed 2021 streaming production of “First Date.” She has recently released her second album, “Gemini” to rave reviews. Diana comes to us fresh from portraying her dream role of the iconic Patsy Cline on stage.
Alejandro Domingo (Dancer/Choreographer): Alejandro Domingo is an actor, dancer and choreographer born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His Las Vegas performances include Donn Arden’s Jubilee, Cirque du Soleil’s One Night for One Drop, Zombie Burlesque, Vegas! The Show (Dance captain) and Donny & Marie. Most recently he was a featured ballroom dancer and Dance Captain in Baz! Star Crossed Love at The Venetian Resort. He also works as a choreographer for Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International, where he met his beautiful wife Sarah Le Clear.
Lou Gazzara (Performer/”American Idol”): Singer and actor Lou Gazzara started his entertainment career as one of the youngest contestants on the hit television series “American Idol” Season 2. From there he went on to join the silver screen with James Brolin and Annalynn McCord in the 2007 film “Bad Girl Island.” Lou is also a Broadway World Best Performance Nominee three years in a row. His acclaimed performances have taken him around the world.
Randal Keith (Performer/Broadway Star): Randal Keith is best known for nearly 3,000 performances, starring as Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” on Broadway. He was awarded an Ovation award for Best Actor in a Musical for the same performance. He has also starred in “The Phantom of the Opera,” playing The Phantom in the First National Tour for six years as well as three years in Las Vegas (The Venetian Theater). He opened the Las Vegas production of “Spamalot” as Sir Bedevere and eventually took over the role of King Arthur. In addition, he has starred in Showstoppers (Wynn Hotel) and could be seen in the starring role of Zidler in BAZ, Star-Crossed Love (The Palazzo Theater).
Sarah Le Clear (Dancer/Choreographer): Sarah Le Clear is an actor, dancer, and choreographer from California, where she was a dancer for the Golden State Warriors. She won Season 3 of the “Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search,” which aired on CMT. Sarah traveled the world with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines as a dancer/aerial artist, choreographer, and director. Her Las Vegas credits include Vegas! The Show (Dance Captain/Lead Dancer), featured Ballroom Couple in BAZ! Star Crossed Love, and the Donny and Marie Show (Dancer/Swing). She currently resides in Las Vegas with her husband and dance partner, Alejandro Domingo.
Jaclyn McSpadden (Performer/Las Vegas Headliner): Up and rising star Jaclyn McSpadden has performed with Lady Gaga, country star Brett Eldredge and Broadway’s Shoshana Bean, as well as opening for Celine Dion, Barry Manilow, Jay Leno and many others. Now a Las Vegas resident, she sings with Gaga bandleader Brian Newman. Jaclyn’s talents led her to star in Postmodern Jukebox (the Mirage Hotel) as well as play the role of Juliet in the smash-hit musical BAZ (The Venetian Resort).
Ben Stone (Singer/Entertainer): British singer and entertainer Ben Stone has appeared at Royal Albert Hall in London, with command performances for the British Royal family. He has performed at multiple West End theatres in London including Her Majesty’s Theatre and The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He has made many appearances at the world famous London Palladium, celebrating its 100th anniversary. He currently makes his home in Las Vegas with the love of his life, Jasmine Trias.
Jasmine Trias (Performer/”American Idol”): Hawaiian-born Jasmine Trias rose to fame as a Top 3 Finalist on Season 3 of the hit TV show “American Idol.” Her album, released by Universal Records, soared straight to No.1, boasting Platinum Record status. She was the first “American Idol” to headline in Las Vegas. The lovely Jasmine is also the featured celebrity guest artist on the premiere episode of the new season of “Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings,” streaming on Disney+.
Laura Suzanne Wright (Performer/”American Idol”): A Las Vegas favorite, the talented Laura Wright was a semi-finalist on “American Idol” Season 5 at the young age of 16. She has performed with Barry Manilow, Arnel Pineda of Journey, as well as the bands Heart and Guns n Roses. Laura has also starred in the musicals “Grease,” “Hairspray,” and “9 to 5” on international stages.
Ace Young (Performer/Broadway/”American Idol”): Ace is a man of many talents with the credits to back them up. He has wowed millions on TV shows like “American Idol” and “Half & Half,” and starred on Broadway (“Hair,” “Grease”) as well as touring regionally (“Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat,” ”Rock of Ages”). His GRAMMY-nominated song, “It’s Not Over,” gave way to his own BMI Pop Award. His newest chapter has him wearing many hats as producer, writer, and artist for his newest acoustic album, “Up All Night.” He is married to the lovely Diana DeGarmo.
Patrick Caddick (Creator/Producer): Pat Caddick of PC Entertainment Group Inc. has been an integral part of the fabric of LA and Las Vegas entertainment for over 30 years as a player (piano), writer, arranger, orchestrator, producer, and director. A graduate of Berklee College of Music (and winner of their Outstanding Achievement Award), he has worked with such artists as Barbra Streisand, Melissa Etheridge, Kevin Costner, Maurice White & Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, Bobby Kimball, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather of Toto, The Pointer Sisters, Tower of Power, Alan Parsons, Sheena Easton, Brian McKnight, Celine Dion, Siegfried and Roy, and many more. He has scored for major motion picture and television while serving as a faculty member at the University of Southern California for 16 years. While at USC he created a songwriting program that produced a new generation of songwriters, film composers, and GRAMMY winners.
Blair Farrington (Director): Award-winning director-producer Blair Farrington has dedicated his life to creating theatrical wonderment for audiences from Las Vegas to New York to Tokyo. His ability to overcome daunting challenges in his personal and professional life – from beating cancer twice to inspiring the Las Vegas entertainment industry in recovering from catastrophic events – serves as a daily reminder that anything is possible. Through it all, Blair is best known for his creative vision, graceful leadership, and always delivering professionally. Born in New York City, and formerly a professional dancer, Blair founded Farrington Productions with his wife and life-partner Eunice in 1985. Blair has produced, directed and designed for Disney, Las Vegas headliners including Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Gwen Stefani and Celine Dion’s Leaving Las Vegas & World Tour video, as well as The Show in the Sky, a THEA Award winning Best Live Show attraction, and the award-winning Gondola attraction at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
