Free Branson-Style Christmas Show

The Broken Arrow Arts and Humanities Council presents “A Time For Christmas.”

Melinda Clonts, Adam J. Foreman, Mark Frie and Kim Frie will perform in the free Branson-style show “A Time for Christmas” at the BAPAC.

It’ll be an afternoon full of music, humor, dance and a few surprises when the Broken Arrow Arts and Humanities Council presents “A Time For Christmas,” a free Branson-style show on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 2 p.m. The show will be held at the new Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center in downtown Broken Arrow and will feature all holiday music. It’s part of the 2010-2011 Encore Series presented by Northeastern State University and Magnum Construction.

Hampton Inn/Clarion Hotel-Broken Arrow sponsors the show, and patrons are urged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or food for donation to Broken Arrow Neighbors. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center.

BAPAC Executive Director Mark Frie has written and produced the holiday-themed showcase, gathering local and regional talent for a matinee filled with fun. Mark will be joined by his wife Kim Frie, vocalist Melinda Clonts, vocalist Adam J. Foreman, and comedian Jimmy Pike, as well as an ensemble band from Dallas, Texas.

“We’ve worked very hard to bring you a family-friendly, seasonal show that will bring memories to mind, make you laugh and hopefully put you in the holiday spirit,” said Mark Frie. “It will be a show with a little bit of everything.”

Last year the Broken Arrow Arts Council presented a free holiday show with the Tulsa Community Band, as well as held a toy and food drive. The event was so successful that Mark was asked to build on that momentum and present a totally Christmas-driven performance as a gift to the community.

Mark’s background in performance, directing and theatrical management is broad. He, along with his wife Kim, made his solo debut in 2006 at Carnegie Hall. Mark has performed and directed shows in such venues as Radio City Music Hall, North Shore Music Theatre in Boston, Casa Manana in Fort Worth, Denver Performing Arts Center and more. He has also shared the stage with Lou Diamond Phillips, Bernadette Peters, Faith Prince and more. He has directed performances in two of the southwest’s most renowned venues – Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center and the Majestic Theatre.

Kim Cornell Frie is originally from Dallas, Texas and has vocal performance degrees from OCU and New England Conservatory in Boston. She has performed across the United States in such venues as Carnegie Hall, North Shore Music Theatre, Dallas Summer Musicals, TOTS in Atlanta, DOD USO tour of Europe, New York City Opera Skylight Opera and more. Her favorite roles have included the title role in “Evita,” Mrs. Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” and Anita in “West Side Story.” She is currently the music teacher at Liberty Elementary in Broken Arrow.

Melinda Clonts has had the pleasure of performing with various organizations throughout the United States. She has been a featured performer with the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, Sunset Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Opera, Opera Vivente, Cimarron Circuit Opera Company and The Gilbert & Sullivan Society (now Light Opera Oklahoma). She has also been engaged by The Baltimore Opera and Tulsa Opera. Other achievements include being a semifinalist in the Stewart National Opera Competition and an alternate winner of the Metropolitan Opera Competition.

Adam J. Foreman is a Claremore native who graduated from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During his tenure there, he was part of the ensemble cast of the Downtown Country summer music showcase as a lead and background vocalist. He also performed in various groups and showcases during his senior year. Upon graduation and his involvement with the Broken Arrow Arts and Humanities Council, Foreman performed in, produced and directed the show “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: Holiday Music Extravaganza” in December, 2003. The two-night Branson-style performance featured regional singers, musicians and local elementary and high school choirs. The show played to almost 2,000 patrons.

The show will also feature a host of local talent, including Broken Arrow High School senior Leslie Armstrong, who will be showcasing her clogging skills. Miss Kristi’s School of Dance will also feature local dancers during the show. And Jocelyn Hughes, a music teacher in Broken Arrow, will be the guest violinist.

For additional information about the show or tickets, please contact the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center box office at (918) 259-5778. Presenting sponsors for the Broken Arrow Arts Council include AVB Bank, Windstream Communications and Broken Arrow Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information, contact

Broken Arrow ­Performing Arts Center

www.thepacba.com