Unicorns are real! And Yes, there is a Santa Claus!

[jo]

[jo]

And this reminds of that long ago tale when "Virginia" wrote a letter to a Newspaper Editor to ask if there is a Santa Claus --

and received a response!

From Wikipedia --

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is a line from an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church titled "Is There a Santa Claus?", which appeared in the New York newspaper The Sun on September 21, 1897, and became one of the most famous editorials ever published. Written in response to a letter by eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon asking whether Santa Claus was real, the editorial was initially published anonymously, and Church's authorship was not disclosed until after his 1906 death. The Sun gradually accepted its popularity and republished it during the Christmas season every year from 1924 to 1950, when the paper ceased publication.

"Is There a Santa Claus?" is commonly reprinted during the Christmas and holiday season, and has been cited as the most reprinted newspaper editorial in the English language. It has been translated into around 20 languages, and adapted as a film, television presentations, a musical, and a cantata.

[jo]

Broadway star Lea Salonga sings a Christmas song written by a Filipino composer, together with Pentatonix --

www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/VIDEO-Lea-Salonga-Joins-Pentatonix-For-Christmas-In-Our-Hearts-20221216


Christmas in the Philippines is a religious tradition as we are the only Christian country in this side of the world ( predominantly 80% Roman Catholic). We are also supposed to have the longest Christmas season in the world, as Christmas songs fill the air early on.

This song became an almost national and anthemic Christmas carol and ushers in the months-long Christmas season. The composer does song-writing on the side, as he is actually a business tycoon. But his songs touch many hearts.

Jo

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/CmK7gbbPFil

The popular Christmastime song was actually written by Music Man composer Meredith Willson!

[jo]

Dec 23, 2022 8:16:34 GMT -5 jo said:

Finally, a clean audio/video version of Hugh singing BETHLEHEM MORNING --



aT 2'12"

He also sings in a medley ( "We Three Kings of Orient Are ") earlier.


This seems like an annual Christmas concert in Sydney ( called Carols in the Domain).

This was in December 1998.

Notice how curly his hair was


That was the time when the London Oklahoma! had just completed its run at the Royal National Theatre ( South Bank) and was about to transfer to the Lyceum Theatre. This was also the time when the filmed version of Oklahoma! was made while they awaited the transfer to the Lyceum.

Jo

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/Cme9QTQJzEX

[jo]

[hughmanity]

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.  This video is new to me, but could watch over and over.  Maybe it was from the year before the other clips? Not sure.  Anyway, enjoy if you have not seen it.

[jo]

[jo]

Dec 24, 2022 0:24:01 GMT -5 jo said:

http://instagr.am/p/Cmh6pACpKoP

[jo]

Photo: Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster Receive Ornaments from Artist Christopher Radko

Mr. Radko is a celebrated artist whose ravishing glass-blown ornaments have for decades adorned homes all over the world.
by Blair Ingenthron Dec. 24, 2022

Like jolly ole Santa, the one-and-only artist Mr. Christopher Radko who's been called "The Ornament King" and "The Czar of Christmas Present" dropped backstage at the Winter Garden Theatre bearing gifts for Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster and the cast and crew of The Music Man.

See the photo below!




He said, "I created 150 of these "band jacket" ornaments especially for the cast and crew as my personal gift to them for all the joy they bring to the audiences, at a time when we all need it most." Mr. Radko, who's made a triumphant return to home décor after fifteen years of absence, is a much-beloved figure by avid collectors as well as casual shoppers for his finely crafted ornaments that have come to adorn homes all over the world. The artist's HeARTfully Yours collection is handcrafted in limited-edition quantities by nine personally selected European families. "Nothing is mass produced, these are, as I call them, 'works of heart', created at small cottage workshops where the mom and dad and kids are still involved, just like the old days," Christopher says. HeARTfullyYours.com



ABOUT
Mr. Radko is the celebrated artist whose ravishing glass-blown ornaments have for decades adorned homes all over the world. He has emerged from hiatus with a brand new line called HeARTfully Yours. Christopher's success accumulated countless celebrity fans including Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford, Kim Basinger, Elizabeth Taylor, John Travolta, Bruce Springsteen, Hugh Jackman, Dolly Parton, Robert DeNiro, Kris and Kylie Jenner, and Barbra Streisand. In 2005, Christopher sold the Christopher Radko brand to Rauch Industries which continues to make its own line of ornaments under that trademark. The all-new HeARTfully Yours line is being met with raves by eager fans both old and new. And making the new pieces even more special is how Christopher dedicates a portion of the proceeds to various worthy causes including heart disease, breast cancer, AIDS research, food insecurity, and now Ukraine relief. He says, "My ornaments go the extra mile by raising much-needed funds for these vital non-profits and programs." Today both long-time collectors as well as new fans are rejoicing that Christopher has returned to his roots with this all-new HeARTfully Yours collection of memory-making ornaments that celebrate all holidays and special life events.

The Music Man

Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster, and Christopher Radko

[jo]

There is mention of Hugh Jackman among the Radko fans... presumably because in 2003 he gifted all cast and crew of THE BOY FROM OZ with a Radko Christmas ornament in the shape of a Hawaiian shirt.

A few years later, I saw one of those ornaments for sale on eBay (including the box) ... and I bid for it.

I do have other Radkos, but they are only either Santas, XMas trees, wreaths, Gingerbread houses, & Nutcrackers! And a special Hawaiian shirt!

Talking of Christmas ornaments - when I was in NYC at Thanksgiving (to see Music Man once again) -- I was at Saks Fifth and visited their Christmas ornament/gift floor. I saw a table where a visual artist was inscribing messages on Christmas ornaments of one's choice. I couldn't help it -- I got 2 of those glass ornaments ( a gold one with red poinsettias - kinda Music Man colors) -- and had him artistically inscribe "Music Man 2022" on one of those

My very own beautiful reminder of THE MUSIC MAN!

Jo

[jo]

Translated from Spanish by Google :

Sure, but... I'll tell you one thing. That Hugh Jackman tells you "let's dance" must be as if I were invited to the final of the 100-meter dash... You're screwed!!

LOL!

[jo]

Dec 24, 2022 18:12:02 GMT -5 jo said:

http://instagr.am/p/CmjqjbmOhoy

Keep swiping!



Love these!

[ruby]

Dec 24, 2022 17:29:03 GMT -5 jo said:

There is mention of Hugh Jackman among the Radko fans... presumably because in 2003 he gifted all cast and crew of THE BOY FROM OZ with a Radko Christmas ornament in the shape of a Hawaiian shirt.

A few years later, I saw one of those ornaments for sale on eBay (including the box) ... and I bid for it.

I do have other Radkos, but they are only either Santas, XMas trees, wreaths, Gingerbread houses, & Nutcrackers! And a special Hawaiian shirt!

Talking of Christmas ornaments - when I was in NYC at Thanksgiving (to see Music Man once again) -- I was at Saks Fifth and visited their Christmas ornament/gift floor. I saw a table where a visual artist was inscribing messages on Christmas ornaments of one's choice. I couldn't help it -- I got 2 of those glass ornaments ( a gold one with red poinsettias - kinda Music Man colors) -- and had him artistically inscribe "Music Man 2022" on one of those

My very own beautiful reminder of THE MUSIC MAN!

Jo

Scrolling through the stories of the Christopher Radko ornaments I remembered the holiday gifts during BFO. I was scanning my memory to bring the visual up and just thought it was the Hawaiian shirt when Jo confirmed the memory in her post. I also remember some backstage drama about them too. Details long gone though

[jo]

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/CmjmLPxJkLf

[jo]