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Sights & Sounds of Christmas Dec. 22
Sights & Sounds of Christmas
Annual Fundraiser
4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
More than 30 performers will sing, dance, act, and produce an energetic and vibrant festive Christmas show complete with an immersive light show directed by Jake Hodgkin.
Christmas carolers will perform before the show and during intermission!
Bring the Christmas spirit home with you!
Tickets:
https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=252747
Call 207-689-2000 if tickets are not available yet to find out when they will be for sale.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Franco Center’s spectacular Sights and Sounds of Christmas is holiday tradition for family
LEWISTON — “Make it a holiday tradition to visit the Franco Center each year for our spectacular Christmas show,” said Theresa Shanahan, the Center’s executive director. “Our show brings together all the best sights and sounds of the season, rolled into one magical live production.”
The Franco Center’s annual Christmas show—Sights and Sounds of Christmas–is a cherished event for families, featuring an unforgettable celebration of the holiday season with a variety of performances, music, and a dazzling light show. This year’s event promises to be just as spectacular, with evening shows at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 20, and Saturday, December 21, and a special late afternoon performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 22.
The beautiful Performance Hall stage will come alive with holiday-themed acts, from ballet dancers to singers, duets, quartets, dramatic readings, and poetry — all evoking the warmth and joy of Christmas. Several performances will be enhanced by a synchronized Christmas light show that adds an extra layer of sparkle to the festivities.
Curated by the Franco Center’s Production Director, Jake Hodgkin, the show features a diverse lineup of performers, including ballet dancers from the Grace Center. Hodgkin has designed the show to evoke a nostalgic, old-fashioned homestyle Christmas, where attendees can immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.
“If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, don’t miss this show,” said Hodgkin. “The Franco Center will be decked out with festive decorations, including over a dozen beautifully lit Christmas trees, twinkling holiday lights, and seasonal music playing throughout the building.”
Hodgkin is a dynamic figure in the world of entertainment, with a career spanning theater, live events, and entrepreneurial ventures. His passion for lighting and special effects started at age 12 when he first discovered a system that synchronized lights to music — a technology he now uses in the Sights and Sounds of Christmas production. Over the years, his experience has included lighting design, directing, and producing, making him a versatile force in the world of live performances.
This year’s immersive lights and special effects will feature computerized Christmas lights, haze, low-flying fog, sparklers, and even fake snow, enhancing the magical atmosphere of the show. Hodgkin’s expertise in storytelling and stagecraft has been shaped by his work with local theaters such as Community Little Theatre, The Public Theater, Lyric Theater, and Portland Players. He is also the owner of a DJ business and runs an annual spooky walk called “Chaos on Cobb Road,” which attracts up to 800 visitors every year.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Hodgkin serves as a high school basketball and boys’ lacrosse referee, demonstrating his commitment to teamwork and youth development.
“This show is a testament to Jake’s creativity, hard work, and love for all things theatrical,” said Shanahan. “We hope that people will join us for this spectacular Christmas show and experience the spirit of the season.”
A new addition to this year’s show will be the presence of a group of Victorian Christmas carolers. This group of carolers will be performing prior to the show and during the show’s intermission. The carolers include Sharon Patrick, Cassie Gendron, Karen McArthur, Don Dostie, and John Howard.
Tickets for the Sights and Sounds of Christmas show range from $10 to $30. They can be purchased online at www.francocenter.org/shows, by phone at 207-689-2000, or in person at the Franco Center box office, open between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The cast for Sights and Sounds of Christmas include: Jake Hodgkin, Bette Sanborn Fecteau, Elise Pierson, Wesley Pierson, Maggie Bristol, Jackie Preston, Jim Hodgkin, Bella Hartman, Lucy Reynolds, Michelle Breton, Larry Hodgkin, Preston Marston, Isabelle McCormick, Ashleigh St. Pierre, Karen Flynn, Adrian Morneau, Delaney Giroux, Theresa Cormier, Rapture Waters, Jim McKinley, Eden Bauer, Jennifer LeBlanc, Emma Carmichael, Kathy Amsden, Edith Bambakakis, Shaun Arndt, Lauren Hodgkins, and John Pulsifer.
The tech team, stage crew, and dance instructor include: Joseph Strout, Sarah Greaton, Brandon Chaloux, Theresa Shanahan, Jake Hodgkin, Michael Breton, Denise Scammon, Melissa Hodgkin, Allison Marston, Rick Osgood, Larry Hodgkin, and Jennifer Bement.
Support for this beloved Christmas event comes from Skelton Taintor & Abbott, The Dance Center, Berman & Simmons, Dirigo Federal Credit Union, Maple Way Dental Care, Bennett Radio Group, Sun Journal, and Uncle Andy’s Digest.
The Franco Center is located at 46 Cedar St., Lewiston, with parking available in the mill lot. The building is fully handicap accessible via the Lincoln St. Alley side.