WHEELER OPERA HOUSE ANNOUNCES LINE-UP

OF HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRAMMING 

Aspen, CO (October 3, 16): It will be a winter wonderland of exciting events for the whole family at the Wheeler Opera House this holiday season. The Wheeler is pleased to announce a diverse and exciting line-up of artists to perform this December. Performances include The Beach Boys, The Ten Tenors, The Blind Boys of Alabama and comedian Kevin Smith. Ticket prices vary by artist (Wheeler Wins pricing available) and will go on sale Wednesday, October 19 at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO.

Wheeler Opera House Executive Director Gena Buhler states, “We approached the programming of our December performances as if we were creating a mini-series. Our goal for the series was to make it a ‘December to Remember’ with comedy, concerts, theater, magic and illusion. Of course, I’m excited for all of these performances, especially The Ten Tenors on Christmas night. As a booking agent, I had the pleasure of representing The Ten Tenors. They always slay audiences with their exciting, high-octane performances. I can’t wait to welcome these talented Australians to our Wheeler Opera House and Aspen community.”

 The line-up of shows coming to the Winter Wonderland in Aspen series this December follows:

CRYSTAL BOWERSOX

December 3 at 7:30 PM | Tickets $25 (VIP $75 includes Meet & Greet)

Singer, songwriter and actress Crystal Bowersox has made it her mission to live life and her music to the fullest. The 2010 American Idol runner-up, Bowersox's voice has been described as “bluesy and soulful.” Her rich amalgam of blues, country, folk and rock makes her one of the most dynamic young voices in music to come along in years. She has performed alongside everyone from Harry Connick Jr., Joe Cocker, and Alanis Morrisette, to Michael Franti, John Popper and BB King. 

THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
December 16 at 7:30 PM | Tickets $55

The Blind Boys of Alabama have the rare distinction of being recognized around the world as both living legends and modern-day innovators. They are not just gospel singers borrowing from old traditions; the group helped to define those traditions in 20th century and almost single-handedly created a new gospel sound for the 21st.  Since the original members first sang together as kids at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in the late 1930s (including Jimmy Carter, who leads the group today), the band has persevered through seven decades to become one of the most recognized and decorated roots music groups in the world. The Blind Boys' live shows are roof-raising musical events that appeal to audiences of all cultures, as evidenced by an international itinerary that has taken them to virtually every continent.

AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH
December 17 at 7:30 PM | Tickets $45

A writer, comedian, podcaster, and film director, KEVIN SMITH has written and directed numerous films, including Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Red State & Tusk; Creator of AMC’s Comic Book Men; authored Silent Bob Speaks, Shootin’ the Sh*t with Kevin Smith, My Boring-Ass Life and most recently Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good. He can be heard daily at Smodcast.com, a vast network of podcasts. This evening is a chance to get up close and personal with Kevin Smith. 

CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL

December 23 at 6:30 PM | Tickets are $38 child, $58 adult.

Celebrate the true Spirit of Christmas with a brand new adaptation of Dickens’ ever-popular classic, A Christmas Carol! This powerful and festive story, filled with haunting special effects and heartfelt sentiment, has enchanted audiences the world over with its humble message of holiday joy. God Bless Us, everyone!

THE TEN TENORS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
December 25 at 6:30 PM | Tickets are $40 child and $65 adult.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with international singing sensation The Ten Tenors? Home for the Holidays is a magical experience for the whole family that will dazzle, delight and captivate. Join Australia’s rock stars of the opera as they amaze and enthrall with their unique selection of traditional and contemporary seasonal favorites.
 

THE BEACH BOYS
December 28 at 3:30 & 7:30pm | Tickets $98-$150

A staple of the 1960’s surf sound era of music, the Grammy Award-winning group The Beach Boys is known for such legendary hits as “Good Vibrations,” “I Get Around” and “Surfin’ U.S.A.” The Beach Boys continue to create and perform with the same bold imagination and style that marked their explosive debut over 50 years ago.
 

ADAM TRENT: THE NEXT GENERATION OF MAGIC
December 29 at 4:30 PM & 7:30 PM | Tickets are $32 child and $42 adult.

Broadway and TV star Adam Trent exemplifies a new generation of magic. Described as Justin Timberlake meet David Copperfield, his audience interactive performances are part magic, part concert, and part stand up comedy, with a fast paced variety necessary for today’s theatre audience.
 

New Year’s Eve at the Wheeler featuring THE DOO WOP PROJECT

December 31 at 8:00 PM | Tickets start at $89 (General Admission) & $99 (Reserved).

All tickets are $125 after December 15.

Featuring current and former stars of Broadway’s smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical, and their hot band, The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate — and in some cases entirely reimagine — some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history. A perfect way to ring in the New Year!
 

For more information about these events, please visit www.wheeleroperahouse.com. 

In addition to the Winter Wonderland Series, the Wheeler is also proud to be host several days of Aspen Film’s 2016 Academy Screenings, as well as Christmas Eve Services with Crossroads Church.

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ABOUT WHEELER OPERA HOUSE: 

Since 1889, the Wheeler Opera House has been Aspen’s community performance venue and has become the Roaring Fork Valley’s premiere site for concerts, movies, festivals, lectures, community events, opera, and more. In recent years, the Wheeler has been a leader in producing exceptional festivals in Aspen, celebrating the comedy arts, global issues, and the craft of songwriting.