Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, lights up the Thrasher-Horne Center’s Broadway Season on Sunday, December 13th!

Family 4-Pack, Just $111

Come see all of your favorite characters from the longest running television holiday special in history. Rudolph’s adventure teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special.

Don't miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. You’ll see Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is the first show of The Broadway Season at the Thrasher-Horne Center. There will be two performances on Sunday, December 13th. The first will be at 1:30 p.m. and the second will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Based on the animated television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage. Script adaptation by Robert Penola. All elements © and ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC.

The score includes favorite holiday songs such as Silver and Gold, Holy Jolly Christmas, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Arrangements and orchestrations by Timothy Splain.

Family 4-pack available for just $111

Get Tickets for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

An Evening of Holiday & Hits with Michael McDonald

December 19^th at the Thrasher-Horne Center

Singer/songwriter Michael McDonald is widely regarded as one of the greatest of America’s blue-eyed soul men. With a distinctively soulful voice, he has won five Grammys. On December 19^th at the Thrasher-Horne Center, he will be taking it to the stage with hits and holiday favorites.

He’s scheduled for sixteen tour dates between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In a  recent interview by Diana Lasko of the Herald Standard in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he said, "I have so much love for playing music live. It's what I've done since I was probably 10 years old. There's something about that connection with people. You have an instrument in your hand and you play music and it seems like you have a place in people's hearts and minds that I don't know how you could have any other way."

In seven years with the Doobie Brothers, McDonald recorded several big hits, including It Keeps You Runnin’, Takin' It to the Streets, and What a Fool Believes, for which he and co-writer Kenny Loggins were awarded a Grammy. In the 1980s, he embarked on a very successful solo career. He’s a remarkably versatile musician, and he has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Patti LaBelle, James Ingram, Carly Simon, Aretha Franklin, Van Halen, The Winans, and many others.

He is also renowned as a songwriter and was recently nominated for induction into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame. In his interview with the Herald-Standard, he said, “I really feel great about it. I was very flattered to even be thought of in that category. I mean I have written songs, but it's one of those things where I have great admiration for a lot of people who deserve to be in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. I never thought I was one of them."

He recently recorded Miracle River in a duet with Judy Collins on her new record, Strangers Again.  He also recently performed with David Sanborn and others in Johnnie Be Good, a documentary dedicated to the life and career of the legendary Johnnie Johnson. 

Tavis Smiley recently interviewed McDonald about his holiday tour. 

Click here to watch the video.

This Christmas

In 2009, McDonald released This Christmas, his third holiday album. The collection includes White Christmas, I’ll be Home for Christmas, and other traditional songs as well as a few songs that are less familiar.  

Join Michael McDonald for This Christmas: An Evening of Holiday & Hits on December 19^th  at the Thrasher-Horne Center.  A limited number of VIP packages are available, including a Meet & Greet with Michael, an intimate pre-show performance, a great seat, and much more.

Tickets are on sale now!

Is there a theater lover in your life? Have you been wondering what to get as a gift for him or her? Give them tickets or a gift certificate to the Thrasher Horne Center!

Live shows create memories for years to come! The Thrasher-Horne Center’s Broadway Season features touring productions of Ragtime, Always Patsy Cline, Annie, Saturday Night Fever, and the Northeast Florida premier of Once.

Give someone on your list tickets for the Broadway Season at the Thrasher-Horne Center. It will be the perfect stocking stuffer and one gift that will keep on giving.

Subscribers get the best seats at the best price. Regular ticket prices are subject to change and often increase due to supply and demand. As a subscriber, your price is guaranteed. Subscribing is fast, easy and surprisingly flexible!

Subscriber Special: Save 20% on Tickets to Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer!

Two ways to order! Call or visit the Thrasher-Horne Center Box Office: (904) 276-6815 or order online. Subscription package discount is equal to or greater than one ticket at regular price. It's like getting one show free! As with all live performances, artists, dates and times are subject to change.

Subscribe now for the best seats!

Coming Soon, Magician Mike Super
Finalist on America’s Got Talent
December 26^th at the Thrasher-Horne Center

Known as America's Favorite Mystifier, Mike super will be performing magic and illusions live at the Thrasher-Horne Center on December 26^th, 2015.

The Magic of Mike Super combines art, theater, and magic. Mike’s events incorporate video projection, cutting edge magic & illusions, dramatic lighting, and energizing music. His innovative and interactive shows appeal to all ages. For a magical event the whole family will enjoy this holiday season, plan to see this mesmerizing performance.

Garber Automall of Green Cove Springs is sponsoring the event. Mike will attempt to steal a vehicle from the dealership and make it appear on the stage with a snap of his fingers. If he is able to accomplish this impossible feat, everyone with a valid driver license in the Thrasher-Horne Center’s audience will have a chance to win the vehicle, courtesy of Garber Automall.

If you like snow, coming to Mike Super’s mystifying show at the Thrasher-Horne Center may be your best shot at seeing some of it in Northeast Florida this year. “When I was a kid, my mother loved it when it snowed,” he says. “She's since passed away, but because of her love for it, I created a trick where I make it snow inside the theater over the audiences’ heads.”  

Family four-packs are available!  

Get your tickets today. 

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In this article, I’ve written about the upcoming performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, as well as some of the highlights of Michael McDonald’s illustrious career as a singer and songwriter. He will be performing hits and holiday classics at The Thrasher-Horne Center on December 19^th. It promises to be a holiday event that the whole family will enjoy. Tickets are on sale now on the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website.

I’ve also written about the upcoming Broadway Season at the Thrasher-Horne Center and magician Mike Super’s upcoming performance on December 26^th.

Spread the word about one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets! Tell your family and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. People will appreciate learning about what they have been missing.

We appreciate you taking the time to visit us. If you have a comment about this article, leave it in the comments section below.

Peking Dreams – Chinese Circus, Saturday, November 28

Wondering what to do with the family Thanksgiving Weekend? Keep the holiday fun going with the family-friendly performance of:

The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China on Saturday, November 28, at 3:00 p.m.

Columbia Artists Management

Peking Dreams is packed with Chinese culture and history. The extravaganza incorporates Peking Opera, the martial arts, and Chinese circus elements into an acrobatic showcase, complete with colorful costumes, elaborate makeup, and mind-boggling stunts. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to partake of Chinese culture in one of Northeast Florida’s best venues. This spectacular production promises to be a hit with children and adults alike.

Family 4-packs are available for only $99 or $129!

Origins of Chinese Circus

The Chinese Circus tradition began over 2000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty (225-207BC).  The circus evolved out of the acts of imperial court performers who were similar to court jesters in Medieval Europe. The ancient Chinese referred to the circus as “the show of a hundred tricks.”

Today, circus performers are regarded with respect and admiration in China. In 1949, the People’s Republic of China recognized Chinese Circus as an art form that was worthy of being preserved and supported by the government. Over 200 circus and acrobatic troupes are active in China today. Many have toured throughout the world.

The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China

Columbia Artists Management

Founded in 1953, The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China, is one of the longest running and most distinguished circus troupes in the world. The company’s programs feature astonishing and unforgettable acts like the Great Teeterboard, Grand Flying Trapeze, Group Contortion, Straw Hats Juggling, and other amazing acts.

The National Circus has been awarded over twenty Gold and Silver medals at international circus festivals including the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, Cirque de Demain, and the China National Acrobatic Competition. During the 1980s, the National Circus developed a new style of performances which did not focus on animals. China’s National Circus has visited and performed in more than fifty countries.

Peking Dreams

Beijing is the Capitol of the People’s Republic of China. Formerly known as Peking, the city’s history and cultural heritage go back over a thousand years. The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven are located in Beijing, as well as significant portions of The Great Wall. Tourists walking along the streets or strolling through the parks of Beijing can often see natives singing and performing acrobatics.

Peking Dreams ushers audiences into an artistic world full of culture, history, and wonder. The program features unicycles, grand martial arts, aerial silk, solo trapeze, and other traditional circus acts. Peking Dreams was performed for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Since then, this mesmerizing production has been performed more than 600 times all over the world.

The Program

Columbia Artists Management

Acrobatic Master and His Pupils: A Peking courtyard is bathed in bright moonlight. In the dim light of the training room, three children formally become pupils to an acrobatic master. Through patient teaching, the master passes his art and tradition down to his pupils.

The Drunken Beauty: Amidst hundreds of flowers in bloom, an imperial concubine in the Forbidden City admires the full moon while drinking. Hanging on the swing of a trapeze, the actress performs a variety of stunts. Beneath her, the beautiful maids of the palace perform the spinning plates.

Martial Art: Inspired by Chinese philosophy and legend, Chinese martial art combines hard and soft elements with the philosophical principles of Yin and Yang. Actors strike, kick, throw, and jump on stage in a jubilant manifestation of freedom and boldness.

Solo On A Pole: This performance demonstrates the perfect combination of energy and beauty.

Contortion With Carpets Spinning: In the Forbidden City, the Emperor and his maids drink wine and dance. Artfully waving long sleeves, the maids sway and twirl with a tapestry. This act is a combination of classical Chinese dance, contortion, and carpet spinning.

Hoop Diving: Beijing is a modern city. Its inhabitants are like transient guests passing through on their way to some other place. Young people work at a frenetic pace which only gets faster and faster. The two performers in this act perform with vitality as they jump through hoops – backwards, forwards, and twisting.

Diabolo: Diabolo is one of the most well-known games in the history of China. Initially, it was a game in the imperial palace, and then it became popular among the common people. The Diabolo is is a juggling toy that evolved from the Chinese yo-yo, and has been around for more than 4000 years. The Diabolo craze swept Peking and the game continues to be popular. In this act, the Diabolo comes alive in the hands of girls who fly backward and forward with extraordinary quickness and grace.

Aerial Silk: A handsome boy meets a beautiful girl in Peking. From an acquaintance to friendship, and then from friendship to love, the couple represents a moving and romantic story. The actor and actress move and dance with remarkable skill on colored silk high above the stage of the theater. With tender and romantic sentiments, they gaze deeply into each other's eyes.

Columbia Artists Management

Umbrellas Feet Juggling & Hula Hoops: In autumn, the weather of Beijing is unpredictable. Sometimes it is sunny and peaceful. At other times it is windy and stormy. With great dexterity, the performer juggles umbrellas by feet. This act is a great demonstration of the flexibility and beauty of the Chinese acrobatic art.

Straw Hats Juggling: In old Peking, a rich family marries off their daughter and many people take part in the celebration. The actors perform a variety of stunts while holding straw hats and spinning them high in the air in this humorous and popular part of the program.

Bicycle Stunts: This act is based on a famous Peking Opera story called The Generals of the Yang Family.  Accompanied by music and dressed in the costume of women warriors, the acrobatic girls execute spectacular and stunning tricks on their bicycles. Like other elements in Peking Dreams, this act shows the significance of storytelling in Chinese culture and traditions.

Balancing On High Chairs: The Great Wall is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of Peking and China. It has stood through thousands of years of Chinese history during which wars have been waged and dynasties have risen and fallen. In this memorable piece, the performer flawlessly executes stunning and breathtaking feats while balancing on stacked-up chairs.

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“Pole balancing may have stolen the show, but the success of Peking Dreams was truly the culmination of the persistence, trust and passion of the entire National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China. The performers, some of whom started training as early as four years old, quite literally supported each other in weaving a dream of beauty, tradition and the impossible on stage.”
Kimberly Armstrong, The Daily Campus, Storrs, Connecticut.

“The capability and strength of the human body is something that can be pushed to great bounds. Demonstrated by the performers of the National Circus & Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China, it is incredible what bodies can achieve through dedication, skill and unwavering focus.”
Gabby Vicedomini, The Cougar’s Byte, Union, New Jersey

"Peking Dreams was a concert for the eyes, as dozens of performers took to the stage...The acrobats made use of music, costumes, props, and special lighting to dazzle the crowds with fast-paced, high-flying, death defying stunts."
Donna Barton, Anniston Stat, Anniston, Alabama

Peking Dreams celebrates the history and wonder of one of the most famous cities in the world. Don’t miss this amazing cultural event at the Thrasher-Horne Center. 

Get your tickets today!

In this article, I’ve written about the upcoming performance of Peking Dreams by The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China on Saturday, November 28, at 3:00 p.m. at the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park, FL.

If you liked this article, please share it. The Google Plus button and other social media buttons are below. 

The Thrasher-Horne Center has several exciting performances coming up, including Grammy-winner Michael McDonald on December 19th and magician Mike Super on December 26th. Check out the calendar.

The Broadway Season at the Thrasher-Horne Center begins in December. There will be six great shows including Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Ragtime, Always… Patsy Cline, Annie, Saturday Night Fever, and the Northeast Florida Premiere of Once. Subscriptions are on sale now on the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website.

Spread the word about one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets! Tell your family and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. Share this article with them. They will appreciate learning about what they have been missing.

We appreciate you taking the time to visit us. If you have a comment about this article, leave it in the comments section below.

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