‘A Carpenter’s Christmas’ coming to LTCA Dec. 3
After Helen Welch’s first appearance at the Tack, audience members clamored to bring her back, praising the performance as mesmerizing, enchanting and spot on.
For this 25th anniversary season, internationally and critically acclaimed vocalist Helen Welch is returning to take you on a nostalgic, musical journey in “A Carpenter’s Christmas” at Spencer’s LuCille Tack Center for the Arts on Friday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
During this evening of Carpenter classics and Christmas songs, Helen, along with her world-class musicians, will again capture the essence of Karen Carpenter’s unique vocal style.
Helen’s distinctive alto voice settles in perfectly amidst precise, lush new arrangements of songs such as: “Close To You” (The Carpenters’ most popular song), “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “On Top of The World,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Merry Christmas Darling,” “The Christmas Song” and more.
These hits are intertwined with Welch’s cheeky British humor, charming energy and fascinating, unheard backstage stories of the brother-sister duo. Together, these elements clearly showcase the true quality and spirit of The Carpenters in an uplifting and respectful manner. Helen (who has produced shows based on music from The Beatles, the Great American Songbook and leading women of jazz) began to craft her “Superstar” production in 2010 when she received Richard Carpenter’s blessing to proceed. She went on to perform the prototype show several times before realizing that something was missing. She shelved the project until 2016 when a Los Angeles publicist suggested she revamp the show.
With renewed energy, Helen delved into more research on The Carpenters, gathered stories and made script revisions. The test markets of the revised “Superstar” validated Helen’s efforts with sold-out performances. She then decided to produce a Christmas version of the show as The Carpenters’ Christmas music was so popular.
It is this production that brings Helen back to Spencer on Dec. 3 when the audience will be treated to a wonderfully reminiscent performance of stories and songs with a Christmas twist.
Patrons are reminded that masks are required for all Tack events. Tickets for “A Carpenter’s Christmas with Helen Welch” may be purchased online at lucilletackcenter.com or by calling 715-659-4499.
The show is sponsored in part by the generosity of Joe and Kathy Burnett, Citizens State Bank of Loyal, Jeff and Julie Graves, Sarah Graves and Patrick Kraus, Safford Dental, Duane and Anne Teska, Dr. Bruce and Cathy Wineman, Ron and Joyce Wiskerchen, the Wisconsin Arts Board and a Community Enhancement Grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin.
