A MUSICAL PINATA FOR CHRISTMAS II Returns to Teatro Paraguas Tonight

Teatro Paraguas will present a festive bilingual Holiday Show featuring live music, carols, and comedy entitled "A Musical Piñata for Christmas II," for four performances beginning tonight, December 18th.

TP's musical director, JoJo Sena de Tarnoff, with the help of Stage Manager Lynn Smith, has put together an amazing ensemble of musicians and actors ranging in age from 7 to 80, who will perform "A Christmas Tango," featuring dueling Santas, played by Argos MacCallum as Barrio Santa, Buddy Rosacker and Jason Jaramillo as North Pole Santa, and Xochitl Ehrl as The Tango Queen.

The musicians -- John McIntyre, Kev Smith, Jeff Tarnoff, and JoJo Sena de Tarnoff -- will also perform Mr. McIntyre's original arrangement of the Christmas favorite, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" which features flute, percussion, keyboards, and bells, as well as traditional and contemporary Christmas carols.

The program will also feature original holiday music by the Santa Fe-based duo Melange, poetry by various cast members, and a comedy routine or two.

On the theatrical side, Ms. Sena de Tarnoff directs a short play, "Grandma Lale's Tamales: A Christmas Story," based upon the children's book by local author, Nasario Garcia, adapted for the stage by Jason Jaramillo. Copies of Mr. Garcia's book will be available in the lobby. The cast includes Scott Shuker as Dad; Lenore Gallegos as Mom; Amador Gonzales as the Boy, Junie; Ray Geer as Father Nieto; and Jason Adams as Grandpa Lolo. 10 children from Santa Fe Danceworks and Teatro Paraguas Children's Theatre will also be featured throughout the evening, singing, dancing, and decorating the tree.

Hyda Marie will perform her Native American Story about the Moose Who Gets Her Wings.

After the program, the children in the audience will be invited to help break a piñata on stage.

Performances of "A Musical Piñata for Christmas II" are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (Dec 18 - 20) at 7:00 PM and Sunday (December 21st) at 2:00 PM. Admission by donation at the door. Reservations may be made by calling 505-424-1601. For further information, visit www.teatroparaguas.org.