Fitton Family Christmas with Nancy James returns for three big shows

HAMILTON – The Fitton Family Christmas with Nancy James will return for three highly anticipated performances Dec. 8-10, featuring classic holiday favorites mixed with contemporary hits.

There were two sold-out concerts held last year, so the Fitton Family Christmas has expanded to three shows this year.

Featuring Nancy James and the River City Band, each night of the two-act show will open and close with Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

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“There’s no time like the holidays to spend special, quality time with family, and I think this is the perfect show for the entire family to come and see,” said vocalist Nancy James. “There’s a little something for everybody. It’s the perfect gift that a family can give itself.”

New this year is a big screen video as a part of the performance, James said.

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“We have become such an audio-visual society and we always enjoy that layer added to a performance. So, this year, when I sing my Ruth Lyons tribute, we will have footage of Ruth Lyons, her program ‘The 50/50 Club’ as well as performers that were on the show then. It’s a really neat montage of film,” James said.

Another highlight will be a rendition of The Pentatonix song, “That’s Christmas to Me.” In the background video, there will be scenes of Hamilton at Christmastime.

“We are also adding some features for children this year to try to hone in on the family aspect of the Fitton Family Christmas show. Children will join me in singing on the song, ‘Christmas Time is Here,’ from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ We also have a 15-year-old vocalist, Claire Northcut, who will sing ‘Let It Go,’ from ‘Frozen.’ Of course, Santa will make an appearance, bring treats for the children, and there will be photo opportunities,” James said.

In all, the program will showcase four singers, a live band, a children’s chorus, along with several special guests.

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James has recently completed two compilation CD’s, which will be available in the lobby. One effort is “Through the Years with Nancy James,” showcasing some of her work over the past 40 years. The second is a Christmas CD entitled “Christmas Through the Years with Nancy James.” The proceeds of Christmas Through the Years with Nancy James will go to the Ruth Lyons Children’s Christmas Fund.

James is known for her role on the Bob Braun Show for nearly a decade – singing, interviewing, and creating live commercials. She has a musical theater background, and is a graduate of University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. As an Emmy Award-winning talent, she has been a singer/entertainer, performing on stage, and on radio and television for more than three decades.


WANT TO GO?

What: Fitton Family Christmas with Nancy James

Where: Fitton Family Theater, Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Avenue, Hamilton.

When: Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.

Admission: $25 for members; $30 for non-members.

More info: www.fittoncenter.org or call (513) 863-8873, ext. 110. Also, visit www.nancyjamesmusic.com.

Note: In other area concert news, Nancy James, organist Walt Strony and the Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy will perform as part of Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer on Thurs., Dec. 7 at the Music Hall Ballroom. There will be two shows at 10;30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Visit www.CincinnatiArts.org for details. (According to the website, tickets are not currently available for the 10:30 a.m. concert.)

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