Yuletide rock opera ensemble The WIZARDS OF WINTER are kicking off their "An Evening with Wizards of Winter" holiday music experience today in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The tour will hit 21 U.S. cities, coming to a close on December 29th in Harrisburg, PA. This nightly two-and-a-half hour show is theatrical fun for the entire family!

 

The WIZARDS OF WINTER feature original members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, so it comes as no surprise that in addition to performing an entire set of original holiday music at each stop of their rock opera tour, the group will also perform select TSO favorites,including "First Snow", "Queen of the Winter Night", "Christmas Eve in Sarajevo (12/24)", and "Christmas Nights in Blue".

 

The WIZARDS OF WINTER are pleased to announce that long-time Ted Nugentbassist/vocalist Greg Smith will be joining their ensemble on the road beginning December 3rdin Concord, NH through December 20th in Chicago, IL. Smith has also played bass and performed backing vocals for artists such as Billy Joel, Alice Cooper, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Alan Parsons Project, Blue Oyster Cult, Dokken, Vinnie Moore, Wendy O. Williams of the Plasmatics, and many more. Smith was also the principal bassist and backing vocals for the Tony Award-winning Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp musical "Movin' Out" for its entire three-year run on Broadway, in addition to one year on the road.

 

"I'm very excited to perform with The WIZARDS OF WINTER for 11 shows and am looking forward to meeting the fans," states Smith. "Drummer Tommy Ference and I have been friends for a few years now. When the Wizards needed someone to fill in for some shows, Tommy called me and asked if I was interested. I thought it would be great - the music is fun and challenging!"

 

Tickets for "An Evening with Wizards of Winter" are on sale now and available for purchase via www.wizardsofwinter.com/tour-dates/ or directly from the local venue. See below for a full listing of tour dates.

 

"An Evening with Wizards of Winter" Tour Dates:

11/20 - Clearwater, FL @ The Capitol Theatre

11/21 - Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live

11/27 - Wilkes Barre, PA @ F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts

11/28 - Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre

12/3 - Concord, NH @ Capitol Center For The Arts

12/4 - Collingswood, NJ @ Collingswood Scottish Rite Theatre

12/5 - Easton, PA @ The State Theater Performing Arts Center

12/6 - Sugarloaf, NY @ Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center

12/9 - Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse

12/11 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre and Ballroom

12/12 - Kalamazoo, MI @ The Kalamazoo State Theatre

12/13 - Munhall, PA @ Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall

12/16 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

12/17 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

12/18 - Effingham, IL @ Effingham Performing Arts Center

12/20 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

12/26 - Albany, NY @ The Egg

12/27 - Syracuse, NY @ Crouse Hinds Theater

12/29 - Harrisburg, PA @ The Forum

 

The WIZARDS OF WINTER released their new original holiday music album, The Magic of Winter, last week. The Magic of Winter is produced by Eric Rachel at Traxeast (Symphony X, Skid Row, Styx) and can be ordered in physical format here  or purchased on tour. The digital version will be available via iTunes tomorrow, November 20th. The album features the infectious single "The Spirit of Christmas", which you can watch the enchanting music video for here.

 

About The WIZARDS OF WINTER: The WIZARDS OF WINTER are an eclectic group of musicians from the NY/NJ/PA tri-state region who perform classical and progressive-influenced rock music woven throughout a theatrical holiday-themed event. While the group's style is undoubtedly inspired by the genius of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), the WIZARDS OF WINTER are far from a TSO tribute band. The Wizards' original material is very unique and has a broad audience appeal, applied in a more intimate setting.

 

As a testament to the virtuosity of the group, several original members of TSO have joined the WIZARDS OF WINTER on their musical journey. Currently performing with the group are Guy LeMonnier and Tony Gaynor. Tommy Farese and Michael Lanning, also former members of TSO, have performed with the band on occasion as well.

 

WIZARDS OF WINTER is:

• Scott Kelly - Music Director, Keyboards
• Steve Ratchen - Bass
• Sharon Kelly - Flute, Vocals
• Fred Gorhau - Guitar
• Mary McIntrye - Keyboards, vocals
• Tommy Ference - Drums
• TW Durfy - Guitar
• Natalia Niarezka - Violin
• Guy LeMonnier - vocals
• Vincent Jiovino - vocals
• Tony Gaynor - Narration

 

To learn more about the WIZARDS OF WINTER, please visit:

www.facebook.com/TheWizardsofWinter

www.thewizardsofwinter.com