Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis is an annual holiday tradition going beyond 35 years. This year they’re back out on the road with shows from Nov. 15 to Dec. 30 across North America. Stephan Gotschel designed both the identical Red and Green Tours crisscrossing the country, and says it is the same design as last year’s run, but with a few new songs sprinkled in. Adam Zastrow is the lighting director on the Red Tour, while Jason Witty directs the Green tour.
“I had a lot of fun touring with them [Steamroller] over the years,” Gotschel says. “My touring days are over, though. I’m enjoying being home now—27 years on the road is a long time. I’m in film and television now. The pandemic and my leaving the road happened at the same time, but was purely a coincidence. My last tour ended shortly due to the pandemic.”
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra headed out Nov. 16 on its 2022 The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More tour. Bryan Hartley reprises his longtime role as designer and creative director for both identical East and West runs. Hartley is out running the show for the East Coast run, with Martin Thomas as Hartley’s assistant at FOH. Michael Keller is lighting director for the West Coast run, with Tommy Horton as assistant at FOH. Thomas says this is his first year working with TSO. “It’s pretty amazing: we had both rigs hanging in Council Bluffs, IA for two weeks of rehearsals, while Bryan programmed and tightened up the show. Full production of both stages in one venue; literally 4” of space between the two rigs. It’s straight up awesome, and I’ve seen a lot of awesome!’ “
Boy Band Christmas
After Thanksgiving, LD David “Gurn” Kaniski packs up his console for A Boy Band Christmas: An Evening of Holiday & Hits tour. “It’s very small,” he says, noting that the guys are all singing to track and using in-house rigs on the U.S. casino resort circuit. The group is made up of members of various boy bands including Jeff Timmons, Drew Lachey and Justin Jeffre (all of 98 Degrees), Jamie Jones (of All-4-One), Erik-Michael Estrada (of O-Town), and Ryan Cabrera. The tour ends with one date in Canada.
‘Mr. Christmas’
Daniel Rehbein is going out as lighting director for Brett Eldredge, an artist who’s also known as “Mr. Christmas” in country circles. Robert Glowacki designed and programmed the show. Rehbein says the “classy big band” music tour will feature holiday looks shining on a 16’ Christmas tree and an eight-piece horn section. It starts with a run at the Ryman after Thanksgiving.
Snow Waltz Tour
Lindsey Stirling launched her Snow Waltz Tour in the U.S. Alec Spear, who started working with the artist a few years ago as a production designer, says he is also now working in the role as production manager.
iHeart Radio Jingle Ball Tour
The iHeart Radio Jingle Ball 2022 is bringing a mix of major artists on its U.S. arena run starting the end of November, with Designer Tom Kenny at the helm. Artists include Dua Lipa, Jack Harlow, Pitbull, Black Eyed Peas, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato and more. Continuing her touring work with Lovato, LD Emily Bornt says Lovato will have two appearances on the tour, but the festival is handling the lighting, so her role was to just advance content from Fireplay for the artist. However, Bornt is lighting Lovato’s other performance at the first 2022 UNICEF Gala Nov. 29 in NYC, an event to kick off the holiday season and designed to shine a light on the needs of children around the world.
A Koz Christmas
LD Chris Lisle has designed the Dave Koz & Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour in the U.S. The saxophonist brings in his special guest musicians in a “high energy show” with a fresh take on holiday favorites. Lisle says, “We have worked with Dave Koz for eight Christmas tours now and always love kicking off the holiday season working on this project. Dave and his entire team are amazing to work with and put a lot of heart into their show.”
The Joy of Christmas
Martina McBride’s 12th Annual The Joy of Christmas tour starts after Thanksgiving, with longtime LD Andre’ Huff back on board. Huff was finishing rehearsals and loaded-out for the tour while wrapping up McBride’s performances as opener for Wynonna Judd on The Judds: The Final Tour, which he says was extended to start back with 15 more shows at the end of January 2023. “It has been a super busy 2022,” he declares, as the year comes to a close.
Rockefeller Plaza
While New Yorkers were sleeping, Myles Mangino was programming lighting in the overnight hours for the ice rink and nearby buildings of Rockefeller Plaza, site of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This is his third year to design holiday lighting looks for the Plaza area. “All the cues are programmed and then loaded into a cue server for playback,” he says. “There are two 40-minute loops. One is triggered to play during the day, and the other at night.” There’s no designer or vendor involved with the Christmas tree, however. “Local 1 stagehands set up the tree every year for the city,” he clarifies. “I just watch them do it.”
How is 2023 looking on your gig schedule? Share your thoughts about the year to come with Debi Moen at dmoen@plsn.com. Happy Holidays to all!
