37th Annual Christmas Pageant

37^th Annual Christmas Pageant Offering Free Admission for Active-Duty Military

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 37^th Annual Christmas Pageant to be held November 20 at Stranahan Theatre at the Masonic Complex at 7:30 pm is offering free admission to all active-duty U.S. military.  This year’s “Just Say Merry Christmas” show will have a special tribute to the troops and veterans during the extravaganza. 

“Our troops go above and beyond the call of duty, missing holidays and special times with their families,” says Thurlow Spurr, internationally-recognized musical creator and director.  “We want to honor them for all they have done for our country.”

“Just Say Merry Christmas” will visit eight Michigan and Ohio cities in November, offering six matinee and three evening performances. A cast of 300 will present many of the most familiar songs of the holiday season during a series of concerts that feature the pageantry, costuming and special effects reminiscent of a Broadway production.

Produced and directed by Spurr, the concert will feature The Spirit Wind Dance Company, The CMI Spurrlows, The Thurlow Spurr Singers, The Four Divas, The Kids, as well as Rick Everitt & The CMI Brass, The Brotherhood, The CMI GIRLZ, Laura Petrak and Karen Jenkins, the 2007 winner of the “I Want To Be A Star Search” contest. Additional soloists and musicians from the Michigan-Ohio area also will appear during the two-and-one-half-hour concert.

The choir and the musicians have videotaped two made-for-television specials

entitled “Christmas…All Year Long” and “Christmas…A Timeless Treasure.” They will

be broadcast again in major markets this holiday season. The group has recorded three CDs which will be available at the November concerts and on CMI’s website at: www.cmichoir.org.

The choir has performed in Russia and Israel and has participated in a made-for-TV

patriotic special from the Waikiki Band Shell in Hawaii which featured Gospel Music Hall of Fame artist, Larnelle Harris.

Tickets are $30 for maestro circle seating, $22 for premium seating and $20 for

reserved seating. Special pricing is available for organized groups of 20 or more.

To order tickets call 800.993.SING (7464) or order online at www.cmichoir.org.

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