CSO's "Home for the Holidays" Will Continue

(first published in The Cincinnati Post Oct. 3, 2003)

Santa Claus will be visiting the Taft Theater in December.

The Cincinnati Symphony's family Christmas show "Home for the Holidays," which had been facing an uncertain future because of financial pressures at the CSO, will continue under a new partnership created to benefit Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Taft.

Partnering with Children's Hospital and the CSO are sponsors channel 12 WKRC-TV, Clear Channel Entertainment, Thriftway and Procter and Gamble.

The announcement was made at a press conference at Children's Hospital Thursday.

The partnership, initiated by WKRC, will allow ticket prices to be reduced. There will be a special 12 WKRC section with $12 seats for children and adults, plus a $4 discount for regular priced seats ($30-$40) for customers who present their Thriftway Customer Reward Card in person or their card number when ordering by phone.

Ticket sales will benefit patient care, research and professional education at Children's Hospital.

"We are delighted to help support the efforts of Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, two of the brightest jewels in Cincinnati's crown," said Christopher Sehring, vice president and general manager of 12 WKRC-TV, initiator of the partnership. The new family-friendly pricing will make the show "even more accessible," he said, and "bring ever more people downtown."

"There are a lot of really quality events going on during the holidays," said CSO president Steven Monder. "Marrying one of those programs with Children's Hospital and the WKRC partnership concept will allow 'Home for the Holidays' to continue its tradition."

Created in 1997, "Home for the Holidays" is a holiday revue patterned after the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show in New York, with elaborate sets and costumes, a 12-member cast of singer/dancers (the Yuletones) and costumed characters including Wally the Pig, Cindy the Reindeer and Santa.

The CSO performs under associate conductor John Morris Russell, co-creator of the show.

Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Taft Theatre box office (amenities for early buyers include complimentary hot chocolate, donuts and Christmas carols), at Ticketmaster in person or by phone at (513) 562-4949, and on the web at www.cc.com. There will be a special benefit performance for Children's Hospital at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Taft. For information, call (513) 636-0293.