The Castle Craig Christmas Special at Castle Craig Players

Televised Christmas specials are as integral to the celebration of the season as trees, ornaments, and presents! In the good old days, countless families gathered around their television sets and enjoyed a crowded slate of network Christmas variety specials starring the biggest stars of the day! From Andy Williams to Judy Garland, Bing Crosby to Frank Sinatra, these class acts celebrated the holiday in a breezy variety hour that was shot cocktail style - casual and open, like an in-home lounge act.In the style of the lavish celebrity-hosted holiday TV specials of yesteryear, we bring you THE CASTLE CRAIG CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, streaming FREE on YouTube on Saturday, December 12th at 8pm. Gather the family for an evening of festive music, yuletide cheer and some surprises along the way, featuring some of your favorite CCP alumni.Each year, Castle Craigs season has included a holiday production of one kind or another, but as the fall rolled around, it was evident the group would not be able to produce a live, in-person show by December. Past holiday productions produced by Castle Craig Players include The Santaland Diaries, The Winter Wonderettes, Its A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Nuncrackers: The Nusense Christmas Musical, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, numerous versions of A Christmas Carol, and many more.The evening will feature the talents of Arthur Canova, Nick Ciasullo, Emma Czaplinski, Chelsea Dacey, Lisa DeAngelis, Jennifer Del Sole, Melanie Del Sole, Jessica Engster, Ben Focarile, Len Fredericks, Ian Galligan, Allison Kane, Jim Kane, Katie Kirtland, Stephen Koehler, Griffin Kulp, Ian Lynch-Passarelli, Bobby Schultz, Kathy Wade, Diane Warner-Canova and a special appearances by Mayor Kevin Scarpati. The show is music directed by Mark Focarile.While the concert stream is FREE to all, donations will be welcomed to support Castle Craig Players. COVID-19 has greatly impacted all of us in so many ways, and the arts have taken an especially hard hit. With our doors closed since March, we once again look to all of you to help us in whatever way you can. We hope that you enjoy a night of festive entertainment, and consider supporting our continued efforts to keep the arts alive. For more information, including viewing links, visit www.castlecraig.org.This event is made possible through the generous support of our season sponsor, Thompson Chocolate (http://www.thompsonchocolate.com) and the Connecticut Office of the Arts (http://www.ct.gov/arts).