OTTUMWA — When the touring production, ABBA-Solutely Christmas Show, comes to the Bridge View Center on Thursday, Dec. 8, the Ottumwa Area Community Children’s Choir will join professional musicians on stage to lend some local talent to this iconic tribute. Swedish pop group, ABBA.
ABBA-Solutely Christmas Show features ABBA hits with a mix of Christmas music sprinkled in to celebrate the holidays. Seventeen children from the Ottumwa Area Community Choir, ages 5 to 14, will accompany the tribute band on stage during “I Have A Dream” and “Let it Snow.”
The producers of the ABBA-Solutely Christmas Show approached OACC director Dr. Christine Bergan in search of a talented children’s choir that could handle a rock band in front of an audience. The show typically reaches out to local children’s choirs, making donations to their music program in exchange for student participation.
“We most sincerely appreciate being asked to perform on stage as part of this captivating ABBA-Solutely Christmas show,” said Bergan. “This provided a wonderful opportunity for members of the Ottumwa Area Community Children’s Chorus to see what it might be like to perform with a touring production. What an incredibly unique and unforgettable experience for all!”
The Children’s Choir includes OACC members Ben Nauman, Makaylah Howard, Noelia Hernandez, Kezia Bame, Kimberlynn Young, Ariel Adkison, Joey Naumann, Kayleigh Wanner, Winnie Young, Arya Anderson, Elsie Young, Alana Howard, Evelyn Selby and Anthony Howard, who will perform in the show.
Despite their young age, most of the members of the children’s choir are ABBA fans.
“My favorite ABBA song is ‘I Have A Dream,'” said five-year-old Arya Anderson.
“The FABBA show’s Christmas choirs are always adorable and the songs they’re involved in are one of the highlights of the show,” said Marie Clair Marshall, who plays Frida in the show.
“It’s great to share the stage with the kids because you never know what they’re going to do and usually the little one steals the show,” said Karie Seasock, who plays Agnetha in the show.
The ABBA-Solutely Christmas show starts at 7.30pm and features all your favorite ABBA hits with the perfect mix of Christmas music sprinkled in to celebrate the holidays. Tickets are $29, $39 and $49, plus ticket fees. Discounts are available for seniors, students, active military and groups. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com and at the Bridge View Center box office between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Bridge View Center is located at 102 Church St. in Ottumwa. The show is suitable for all ages.