Oklahoma City—At the Holidays, all roads lead home, and this year the Oklahoma City Philharmonic is your one stop for all things merry and bright.
The fun begins Saturday, Nov. 19 with “Meet the Maestro” at Penn Square Mall’s center court from 2 to 4 p.m. Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate will greet guests, and an OKCPHIL brass quintet will serenade shoppers with Christmas music.
“It’s so exciting to go out and meet people and tell them about our wonderful orchestra,” Mickelthwate said. “Of course, we have a fabulous concert lineup, but we do so much more community engagement. Whether it's our Discovery kid’s concerts or our educational programs, we are so proud to be your Philharmonic.”
The OKCPHIL will have a limited number of new holiday shirts available for purchase, and shoppers can buy concert tickets on-site.
“With Penn Square Mall being the leading retail destination in Oklahoma City, we are thrilled to partner with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic,” said Jill Farrand, Director of Marketing & Business Development for Penn Square Mall. “We are eager to support their mission of providing inspiration and joy for the community. The holiday season is the perfect time to help share that joy and cheerfulness with our shoppers!”
On Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, Nov. 26, OKCPHIL presents the 1990 holiday classic “Home Alone.” The film stars Macaulay Culkin as a precocious 8-year-old who must protect his house from a pair of burglars when his family accidentally leaves him home alone during Christmas vacation.
“This will be so much fun,” Mickelthwate said. “After a Thanksgiving Day of celebrations, then the mad shopping of Black Friday, this gives families a chance to relax with a fun night out. And seeing the movie with a full orchestra playing the iconic score will make it an entirely new experience.”
“Home Alone” will be shown Sat. Nov. 26, 8 p.m. at Civic Center Music Hall.
The following weekend, OKCPHIL kicks the holidays into high gear with an all-new magical production.
“Coming Home for Christmas: An Intimate Holiday with Michael Feinstein and Susan Powell" is part of The Chickasaw Nation Pops Series, with additional sponsorship from Express Personnel and American Fidelity Foundation. It stars Grammy and Emmy-nominee Michael Feinstein, and as a special surprise, Oklahoma’s own Susan Powell.
“Having an entertainer of Michael’s caliber appear with the OKCPHIL will be amazing,” Mickelthwate said. “And Oklahoma audiences will be thrilled to know Susan Powell is coming home! She is a native of Elk City, and not only was she Miss America 1981, she is also an American icon with a beautiful voice who truly is ‘coming home for Christmas.’”
Feinstein has built a dazzling career over the last three decades bringing the music of the Great American songbook to the world. He has earned five Grammy Award nominations and had an Emmy-nominated PBS-TV special.
“I am excited to perform alongside the incomparable Oklahoma City Philharmonic,” Feinstein said. “And what a thrill to perform with my wonderfully talented friend Susan Powell as we bring to life the songs and stories of some of the classics tunes of the holiday season and beyond.”
From her New York City home, Powell said performing for a hometown audience is “as good as it gets.”
“There’s a sweet familiarity that makes me truly feel home,” she said. “And Michael is a mega-star. It gives me great pleasure to share a stage with him in my home state. Likewise, the OKCPHIL is my home orchestra and I have a deep, abiding love and feel endless pride to be in front of those great players. I know this show will have a twinkle and sparkle like no other.”
“Coming Home for Christmas” runs for three performances—Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Civic Center Music Hall.
Tickets for “Home Alone” and “Coming Home for Christmas” are available online at okcphil.org or by phone at 405-TICKETS.