BROADWAY WORLD Raves - "...Haunting, Stunning"
"...Forgo yet another iteration of A Christmas Carol and instead find meaning in the beauty of Star Of Wonder."
STAR OF WONDER, with music, book, and lyrics by James Conlee, retells the well-known World War I Christmas Eve truce before and after the storied event from the perspective of the Allied soldiers, and especially English serviceman Jack. Traditional folk carols make up the score, sometimes with original lyrics, used both diegetically as part of the show-within-a show and also to further the story. The haunting melodies and stunning arrangements/orchestrations of familiar but not overexposed song selections are critical components to a show that washes peace and joy over the audience.
Deseret News Article
A new Christmas Musical called “Star of Wonder” opens this week at the West Valley Performing Arts Center and is destined to become a holiday tradition. After extensive workshops this summer with Broadway Playwright Jill Santoriello (“Tale of Two Cities”) and Broadway Associate Director Jeff Whiting (“The Producers,” “Young Frankenstein”), “Star of Wonder” is now ready for a limited Christmas engagement.Comprised almost entirely of Christmas Carols, “Star of Wonder’’ tells the story of a World War I soldier named Jack who returns home to Oxford in 1919. It is the night of the town’s newly revived Christmas festival after having been canceled for five years because of the war.Jack’s family always sang at the festival and as a child, Jack always participated. But this year...
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MEET THE CREATOR
About James Conlee
As a composer/producer James has produced 12 different Christmas albums, Which have sold over 300,000 copies, recorded with Mannheim Steamroller, The London Symphony Orchestra, and The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also toured with the Broadway Musical 'Miss Saigon', and with Josh Groban, performing in a dozen different co
As a composer/producer James has produced 12 different Christmas albums, Which have sold over 300,000 copies, recorded with Mannheim Steamroller, The London Symphony Orchestra, and The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also toured with the Broadway Musical 'Miss Saigon', and with Josh Groban, performing in a dozen different countries. Star of Wonder marks his Theatrical Composing Debut.
James would like to thank the West Valley Performing Arts Center (Jeff, Vanessa, and Adam) for all their support and development over the years. Jeff Whiting who stood behind me from day one and has been to every iteration and workshop. Thank you for convincing me to let this show come alive. James Clarke for being the first to catch the vision and the first to encourage. Chris Higbee for being there since 7th grade - I'm nothing without you. Todd Schwartzman and George Nelson at the BYU Playwrights Program. Matt Adams and Lindsay Adams for the endless re-write sessions. Rob Moffat and the UVU Blackbox cast (On A Midnight Clear forever!). Craig Miner for countless hours of Musical Direction and stems. Marcus Andersons for the charts, orchestrations, charts, live conducting, charts, pizza, and charts! (You're my #1 Nephew with a bullet). The Brian and Alison Clark family for 25 years of friendship and for being THE family. My Conlee family for the love and support. My wife for her never ending love, you're the reason for everything! My children who inspire me daily. And most of all to God, for the gift of His Son.
Merry Christmas Everyone!