“Singing is still a very popular pastime for a lot of people … it’s great to be able to share some holiday cheer through song,” says Jim Sohre, general director for Opera Las Vegas.

For over a decade, the nonprofit organization has been bringing that cheer to the community with its Holiday on Broadway concert, an event that’s become a cherished tradition for locals.

What started as a small luncheon performance has grown into a full-fledged holiday celebration, now attracting audiences who are looking to kick off their holiday season with Broadway classics and other festive surprises.

Sohre, who’s been with the organization since 2013, recalls the early days. ”When I first started, there was a holiday winter luncheon and they were looking for entertainment,” says Sohre.

The inaugural show featured only eight “young artists”—emerging singers among the roster of professional vocalists—so Sohre and the team found a way to incorporate their talents. The idea was to have them perform holiday and winter-themed numbers from Broadway scores.

It resonated with fluctuating audiences until it became its own solidified event. “The show was 30 minutes when it first started,” says Sohre. “It’s grown exponentially each year. Now, it’sabout 60 minutes long, as I find more material.”

Today, Holiday on Broadway is a festive must-see for the community, with its 11th iteration hitting the stage this year (not including a hiatus for the pandemic in 2020).

Expect to be swept away by beloved standards like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Meet Me in St. Louis,” along with some lesser known gems.

“There are some surprising songs that nobody knows or has heard of in addition to the classics.” says Sohre. The set list is to include “Cold Enough to Snow” from Wicked, “White Christmas” from the 1942 musical film Holiday Inn and “Be a Santa” from Subways Are For Sleeping.

For the Broadway buffs, there’s a sprinkle of songs from esteemed composers like Andrew Lloyd Webber and Irving Berlin who will add a bit of a flair to the familiar tracklist.

But it wouldn’t be a Vegas production without a special guest. This year the audience will be treated to a performance by Michael Kaczurak, who played Buddy the Elf in Las Vegas Little Theatre’s Elf The Musical. According to Sohre, the actor is set to sing a few songs from the company’s production last year.

The show also highlights local talent, which has been a priority for Sohre and Opera Las Vegas.

“We have some really great local singers that we always like to give opportunities to,” he says. And this year, the organization is showcasing the next generation of talent.

“This is the first year that we’ve established the Christopher and Anita Murray Opera Las Vegas Studio at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,” Sohre says. “We have two singers that are at the university that are getting professional experience with us and are going to be featured for the first time this year.”

The showcase takes place at the Windmill Library’s auditorium, marking its second consecutive year at the venue. “We’re very lucky,” Sohre says of the location. “We have our wonderful sponsors, Bob and Shirley Kramer, that have underwritten this production, and the library has provided us some support.”

sHoliday on Broadway will not only enrich your holiday season but is also free to attend, making it an ideal way to embrace the arts without breaking the bank.

“A lot of young families come to hear opera for the first time—it’s proper operatic singing telling a familiar story,” says Sohre.

HOLIDAY ON BROADWAY December 14, 2 pm, free. Windmill Library, operalasvegas.com.

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