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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-11-28, Page 7News The Huron Expositor • November 28, 2007 Page 7 Four Murray children performing in Starbright show Now in its fourth season, David Hogan's Starbright Stratford's Christmas Celebration is alL about fam- ily. Producer/director Hogan said, "This show is about family, it is very family ori- ented, which, of course, is why the Murray family is in it." Janelle, Carolyn, Thomas and Josie Murray, the chil- dren of Mark and Joan Murray of St. Columban, are the Murray Family Singers and will be perform- ing a number of songs and other talents throughout the show. Thomas, 14, has been with Starbright since .it started four years ago but has been performing for about half his life. "This show is so much fun. The actors, the people I'm singing and working with are amazing. I'm learning so much every time I go back," he said. For Thomas, performing is all about the experience of meeting new people and learning new things from experienced actors like David Rogers and lune Crowley - two of tl1e' lead singers this year. • Thomas will be singing a number of Christmas songs, as well as performing with his sisters. "It's quite an experience," he said. "It's quite a thing for three sisters and their brother to be singing togeth- er." And while he could not choose a favorite Christmas song, Thomas said, "I like them all because they're in the spirit of Christmas and are uplifting. The whole per- formance is going to be like that. People see the show and are ready for Christmas afterward." Josie is the youngest of the Murray clan at age six and this will be her second year on stage. She, too, will be performing a number of songs and a few solos including All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth and Away in a Manger. Josie has been singing for as long as she can remem- ber, likes the music and lights and pretty dresses she gets to wear in the Starbright show. She said she has had a lot of fun practising for the per- formances and is looking forward to singing with her brother and sisters. Janelle, Thomas, Sixteen -year-old Carolyn said the family grew up singing and performing "It's a rush, it's a lot of fun and you get the bug," she said. Janelle, 17, added, "since we were little we've just always done family events and community functions. It is rewarding bringing that talent and sharing it with others." This is the second year the sisters are in the show and they both enjoy being able to perform with their sib- lings. "We give each other so much support. We're able to connect and do something together that we all enjoy. It is a lot of fun," Janelle said. "Starbright gets you into the Christmas spirit," Carolyn added. Janelle and Carolyn are also a member of the Starbright Youth Choir and the Galaxy Step Dancers. "Dave Hogan gets so many people involved and creates a lot of great opportunities," Janelle said. The Murrays are not the only local talent. Jenny MacLean, of Jenny's School of Dance, said she has 16 dancers performing in the Starbright show as the Galaxy Step Dancers. This is the first year her group is performing in the show. "It's Stratford's one and only Christmas show celebration to cele- brate the Christmas Carolyn and Josie Murray spirit," she- said. The• dancers will be performing with Kelli Trottier, a fiddle player, as well as in the finale. "Most of them have never experienced an opportunity like this before. I'm very excited for them and they have nerves involved of course, but they are very excited," she said of her stu- dents. "It's a big show with a great flavor of local talent. People should come to sup- port local community artists, get some Christmas cheer and to have fin after- noon of fun and entertain- ment," she said. Wendy Ewert, who lives outside Mitchell, is the leader of the Starbright Youth Choir, and said the entire 27 member choir con- sists of all local chil- dren ages six to 18. They are singing backup and are part of the finale. She said most were in the show last year. "Starbright really gets you in the mood. It's an interesting show, it's that classic, classy show where the men are in their tuxes and the ladies change their gowns for every number, and you don't see that very much any- more. That's special," said Ewert. "It's a nice, well-rounded family event leading into the Christmas season." Starbright derived from a grand night that used to be held in Stratford as a can- cer benefit. "It seemed so popular, that kind of variety show, that I wanted to continue my skills as a producer and director, so I just brought it over to a Christmas show," Hogan said. This year the show is at the Stratford Avon Theatre. In the past it has been at the Festival Theatre. "People can expect the same great, grand singing with all the Christmas and Broadway songs. They're expected to laugh and sing KENNETH J. VAN RIESEN CFP CLU CH.RC. CHARTERED FIIITANCIAL CONSULTANT INTERGLOBE Financial services Corp. Get Your Money Working So You Don't Have To Ask Me How KEN VANRIESEN 55 William St. N, Clinton 482-7632 vanriesen@cablety. on. ca along." "It has become a habit for people to kick off their Christmas season with us," Hogan said. When asked why he uses so much local talent, Hogan said, "You can get Christmas shows anywhere, but we want to keep it local. We have the Sweet Adelines Perth Unit, the Woodstock Choralaires, and, of course, my Murrays." "It's because of family. The spectrum (of our talent) goes from as little as Josie to as old as 78 -year-old Lorraine Foreman," said Hogan. In the show the two play a grandmother and grand- daughter, and the whole Christmas experience is through their eyes. "It's so important to use local people so the youth get in touch with the profession- als (who are mostly from Toronto). The local talent, like the Murrays and the Starbright Youth Choir, are unbelievable and terrific." "It is important we all know we have local, bril- liant talent in our backyard and I love being part of that," he said. David Hogan's Starbright, Stratford's Christmas Celebration, runs Dec. 1 and 2 at the Stratford Avon Theatre. Tickets can be pur- chased by calling 1-800-567- 1600. By Hilary Long MUNICIPALITY OF CENTRAL HURON NOTICE - PUBLIC MEETING RE: ROAD NAME CHANGES A public meeting will be held on Monday December 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following road name changes: - John Street in Auburn would change to John's Avenue - King Street in Auburn would change to King's Lane - King Street in Londesboro would change to King's Road - Main Street in Holmesville would change to Holmesville Main Street - Main Street in Londesboro would change to Londesboro Main Street The above changes are required to eliminate duplication within the municipality for the 911 Emergency Services. If you have any comments or concerns regarding these changes please attend the meeting, or submit the same in writing to the address below by December 3, 2007. Richard Harding, Clerk -Administrator Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert St. Clinton, Ontario NOM 110