UW-Waukesha Celebrates Holiday Season with Cabaret-Style Show, Candy for the Holidays

University of Wisconsin-Waukesha’s theatre department announces a cabaret-style show, Candy for the Holidays, which is sure to put holiday spirit in your heart and a smile on Ebenezer Scrooge himself. The show will be directed by Steven Decker, Assistant Professor of Communication & Theatre Arts. Award-winning cabaret singer Candace Decker, with accompanist Phil Smith, will share holiday stories and songs that celebrate the holiday season. Joining her as part of the performance are UW-Waukesha Professor of Music Craig Hurst and the Bargain Basement Brass Band Santas, the UW-Waukesha Choir led by Associate Lecturer of Music Thomas L. Patterson, and the UW-Waukesha Handbell Choir led by UW-Associate Professor of Music and guest soloist Nancy Van Brunt.

Candy for the Holidays is the perfect family-friendly event, sprinkled with the feel of the old Andy Williams Show, where a variety of performers share their musical and oratory talents and make special appearances throughout the show, including UW-Waukesha Dean Patrick Schmitt. Musical numbers include The Christmas Song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and O Holy Night, and new favorites, Years and Just in Time for Christmas. Candace Decker will share her own holiday memories throughout the songs which will leave the audience filled with tears and laughter. A condensed version of the claymation classic Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer will entertain children.

Candace Decker is a veteran of cabaret performances. She has performed cabaret-style shows in five states and the District of Columbia and has appeared in Pieces of Candy, O’Candy! and Candy and Friends. She was the producer and creator of the Indiana Cabaret Nouveau Series and received an Indiana Arts Grant to create and perform Candyland — A Kid’s Cabaret. In addition, she received a Laird Foundation Individual Artist’s Grant to perform Love, Candy in Wisconsin. She was a New York Cabaret-Symposium Fellow and studied and performed with master teachers Sally Mayes, Julie Wilson and Margaret Whiting at the Eugene O’Neill Center for the Arts.

Performances of Candy for the Holidays will be held Saturday, December 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in the Fine Arts Center at UW-Waukesha, 1500 North University Drive. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and students, $4 for children age 12 and under, and free to UW-Waukesha students with campus ID. The box office opens one hour before each performance. For ticket information, phone (262)-521-5212.

The UW-Waukesha Lunt-Fontanne Ensemble presents a wide variety of productions, including a spring theatre production of the comedy, Thieves written by Doug Bedwell, on April 15, 16, 17 at 7:30 p.m. and April 16 at 2 p.m. As a college theatre program, education is the primary goal, and shows are produced in all genres.

UW-Waukesha has the largest enrollment among the 13 freshman-sophomore University of Wisconsin Colleges campuses, offering associate of arts & science degrees and the best start on a college degree and unlimited career opportunities. For information about programs, admission or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at 888-2UW-WAUK (888-289-9285) or visit the Web at waukesha.uwc.edu.