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This choice will not surprise one person who has ever met me. Here's the history: I grew up an only child. I unsuccessfully begged my mother for a brother or sister until she was well into her 80's. I discovered the Osmond Brothers during their "One Bad Apple" phase, which led me into a few unfortunate years of bell-sleeved shirts and fringed vests. The Osmonds' obvious joy at singing together, to say nothing of their vast musical talents, would bring tears to my eyes as I watched them perform. I knew that Andy Williams had discovered the brothers, and gave them their debut on his TV show. However, I was unaware that Andy and his brothers were the original clean-cut singing siblings…that is until I saw this production number on an Andy Williams Christmas special! Boy, were my eyes…and ears…opened! This performance of "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" features the two bro-acts harmonizing their heads off. The irony is that Kay Thompson discovered the Williams Brothers (crooning background vocals at MGM), and Andy discovered the Osmond Brothers (singing barbershop quartet at Disneyland). Little did I know back then, that I would spend three years of my life performing as one-fourth of the Williams Brothers, along with Liza Minnelli as Kay Thompson, in what would become the Tony-winning "Liza's At The Palace." During that period, I enjoyed a phoner with Andy and cavorted with Dick Williams (whom I played), and am happy to call Donny Osmond a pal. In a funny kind of way, I found my long-awaited brothers.

After an impressive career, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi was hired to score "A Charlie Brown Christmas," followed by seventeen other Peanuts television specials, until his untimely death in 1976. Can you even imagine those animated features with any other soundtrack? Guaraldi and his trio gave sophisticated heart and depth to what could have been just another forgettable cartoon score. At least one night every Christmas season, I walk the cold sidewalks of New York City, headphones on, and Guaraldi playing. I can be the star of my own movie…enjoying my own slightly melancholy, wistful scene while I reminisce about another year spent in the city I adore.

I'm pretty sure there's nothing Leslie Odom, Jr. can't do. This recording of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" perfectly shows off his good taste, style and that exemplary voice. The song is, of course, an American classic, with lyrics by Kim Gannon and a melody by Walter Kent. Gannon wrote it from the point of a World War II soldier stationed overseas, telling his family that he'll be home for the holidays, and to prepare the Christmas fun. Of course, the last lyric is one of the most melancholy ever written - "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams." When the song was first pitched to folks in the music business, it was roundly refused, since it all seemed incredibly sad. But Bing Crosby smartly threw caution to the wind and recorded the tune, with immense success. Interestingly, after the lyricist's death, he left the royalty rights to the American Heart Association, which has benefitted greatly ever since.

Love it or hate it, this souped-up arrangement of 'Jingle Bells?' has become an iconic recording by the one and only Barbra Streisand. Of course, it's from her first Christmas album, which came out in 1967, but I was introduced to it in 1970 when it was released on a special promo album for Maxwell House coffee, along with cuts by Doris Day and (yes) Jim Nabors. I thought it was funny then, and I think it's funny now. I especially love the Brooklyn-ese reading of the word 'upsot.' It was all very sophisticated and slightly oddball to the young Jimmy Caruso, and takes me right back to Wexford, Pennsylvania, where I'd listen over and over on my little record player. (Google that word, kids.)

I don't care how old you are, I'm pretty sure this recording sounds like home. Nat King Cole, with his velvety croon, sings one of the more perfect songs ever written with simplicity and good taste. It's been recorded thousands of times, in every conceivable style - with riffs and shrieks and all kinds of dazzlement. But this arrangement and performance is the only one I want to hear.

If you have spent more than twelve minutes with me, you know that I am in love with a fake person named Miranda Sings. I first saw her on YouTube when she gave a 'free voice lesson' to the interwebs. I thought she was a neo-Florence Foster Jenkins, as did most everyone. I wrote to 'her,' inviting her to Cast Party, my weekly open mic night at Birdland. I heard back from her creator, Colleen Ballinger, a wildly intelligent and brilliantly funny actress. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship and subsequent business relationship. 'Miranda' became a regular on my Broadway at Birdland concert series, until our walls couldn't hold her fan base. Now, she's playing the biggest theaters in the world (Kennedy Center!), just signed for the second season of her Netflix sit-com 'Haters Back Off,' had a #1 book on the New York Times Bestseller List, has guested on the Tonight Show, and hangs with Jerry Seinfeld. Colleen's online following rivals the Catholic Church (almost a billion hits), yet she's still as funny and normal and adorable as ever. This insane video clip makes me hysterical, as do most of her awkward shenanigans.

I know, I know, this isn't really a song about Christmas, but's it's a standout from Carol Hall's wonderful 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' score! I used to sing this song with a vocal trio, and everytime we'd get to 'Maybe I'll count the stars until dawn. Me, I will go on,' my eyes would well with tears. It's a song of passion, strength and looking forward to brighter days. If that's not what this season is about, I don't know what is. In this clip, Jenn Colella, Adrienne Warren and Keala Settle perform the song on the Birdland stage for the Lilly Awards. Three better singers, you won't find.

I know, I know, this isn't really a song about Christmas, but's it's a standout from Carol Hall's wonderful 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' score! I used to sing this song with a vocal trio, and everytime we'd get to 'Maybe I'll count the stars until dawn. Me, I will go on,' my eyes would well with tears. It's a song of passion, strength and looking forward to brighter days. If that's not what this season is about, I don't know what is. In this clip, Jenn Colella, Adrienne Warren and Keala Settle perform the song on the Birdland stage for the Lilly Awards. Three better singers, you won't find.

I know, I know, this isn't really a song about Christmas, but's it's a standout from Carol Hall's wonderful 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' score! I used to sing this song with a vocal trio, and everytime we'd get to 'Maybe I'll count the stars until dawn. Me, I will go on,' my eyes would well with tears. It's a song of passion, strength and looking forward to brighter days. If that's not what this season is about, I don't know what is. In this clip, Jenn Colella, Adrienne Warren and Keala Settle perform the song on the Birdland stage for the Lilly Awards. Three better singers, you won't find.

We've all seen Becca Ayers on Broadway in Addams Family, South Pacific, Les Miserables and Avenue Q. She's a kickass singer, fabulous actress and very handy with a puppet. But did you know she writes great folky-poppy tunes? 'Simple Wish' is a witty, charming and slightly bitter ode to the search for holiday love!

I couldn't be more thrilled to share some of my all-time favorite holiday tunes with the BroadwayWorld readers! Rob Diamond, BroadwayWorld and I have had a long history together, with countless podcasts, interviews, and kajillions of photo flashes to our credit. The consistent support the site gives to the entire entertainment community is a thing to behold, and one that all of us consider a great present!

 The Public Ticket Sale Day for the 25th anniversary season of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will be Today, October 1.

 The Public Ticket Sale Day for the 25th anniversary season of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will be Saturday, October 1.

Ellen Silver Stange, a passionate and first time author, has completed her new book 'New York State of Fame': a gripping and profound book that is sure to entice the reader and leave them with a little bit of New York knowledge that they may not have known.

Dick Robinson and his Legends Radio Station broadcasting out of Palm Beach to a world wide audience presented Ann Hampton Callaway in a concert which supported the Society For The Preservation Of The Great American Songbook at Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Florida last night and BroadwayWorld was there.  Check out the photos below.

Nicole Henry will play the Royal Room at the Colony in Palm Beach through tonight, and BroadwayWorld has photos from her performance below!

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts announced today that Public Ticket Sale Day for most shows and concerts during the 2015-2016 season will start at 9 am on Saturday, October 3. 

Amanda Cohen is not a newcomer to the bright lights of worldwide concert stages. Her new CD "A New Standard" is a cross-over project that she has dreamt about for years and its unveiling is an exciting musical adventure.