Behind every Christmas Tree ornament, there’s a story.
Hey, I’m News 6 producer Brooke Savage, the Setting the Stage newsletter writer.
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After the washout-of-a-day on Saturday, I had the chance to check out the Holiday Milk Mart with my mom in the Milk District on Sunday.
There was a lot of cute, handmade items! I was able to grab that ornament above and a gingerbread bandana for my dog, Harley.
Tomorrow, I will be going to Tampa to spend the holidays with my mom, sisters, their husbands and my nephews.
Even though Christmas is on Monday and we’re getting into vacation mode, there’s still lots to talk about! ⤵
🍊🥤 Who loves orange soda?! Kel loves orange soda!
All millennials should recognize this guy! I recently had the chance to interview another celebrity from my childhood!
Kel Mitchell talked about what it was like filming Nickelodeon’s “All That” and “Kenan & Kel” in Orlando in the 90s, reprising his role in “Good Burger 2,” and his relationship with Kenan. By the way, did you know he’s also a youth pastor?! See the full interview here.
✨ Surprise AND Delight
Last week, Orlando city leaders kicked off the groundbreaking of the new courtyard next to the historic Rogers Kiene Building, which is now known as CityArts Orlando.
You may be wondering where the phrase, “surprise and delight” comes from. It’s in honor of late businessman and philanthropist, Ford Kiene. According to the plaque also on the gate, it’s a phrase he coined and would use the expression when donating to an organization or uplifting someone. He said he came up with it because a surprise can be good or bad but when combined with the word “delight,” that means you have the best intentions.
🔊 Permission to Speak
That’s the name of the award-winning Broadway show coming to the Dr. Phillips Center next week, starring Paul Mecurio AND the audience.
I had the chance to talk to him about the interactive show. The comedian from “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” says he invites the audience on stage to talk about their lives and share personal stories. His goal is to connect everyone as humans during a time when things can get divisive. He also told me about how he got into comedy and he had a funny story about Jay Leno using his jokes.
Click here for the full interview and ticket information.
💃 Now to the story of the week...
The picture above says it all!
Jeanette Dustan, 91, is an award-winning ballroom dancer who recently performed for a senior living community in The Glades at ChampionsGate, where she lives. It has always been a dream of hers to join The Rockettes, but when she tried to join, she wasn’t tall enough. Her community learned about her dream and organized a special trip to New York City. That’s where she had the chance to show off to the Radio City dancers!
Learn more about her trip, and see the video for yourself.
🎶 What’s happening in show biz
🎄 Moonshine & Mistletoe at the Garden Theatre - The show takes place during the Great Depression. It follows the story of a son returning home with his wife and making amends with his parents just in time for the holidays. The show wraps up tomorrow.
👻 Phantasmagoria at The Athens Theatre - The Victorian troupe will be telling ghost stories for the final time this weekend with their show, “A Most Haunted Victorian Christmas,” in DeLand.
🩰 Orlando Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Dr. Phillips - As the Orlando Ballet celebrates 50 years, they’re wrapping up their new “Nutcracker” show this weekend where they revamped the holiday classic. From sketch to stitch, the dancers are donning new costumes representing characters like the toy soldiers, the Cavalier, even a Heron. News 6 anchor and Insider guide, Crystal Moyer, got an inside look at what it takes to put on the show. Not an Insider? It’s free to join.
📕 A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes - Bah humbug! It’s the final weekend for one of Orlando’s favorite holiday traditions. Ebenezer Scrooge will be visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, for the final time this holiday season on Sunday.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Setting the Stage newsletter.
If you have a show, exhibit or artist you want to tell me about or feature, please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bsavage@wkmg.com.
I’d also like to say Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! 🎄
I’ll see you in two weeks.
- Brooke 🎭