SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Children’s Theatre is taking its young performers to a whole new level with the release of their first CD, “A Better Sweater Christmas.” The CD, which features over a dozen Christmas favorites sung by the talented kids at SCT, will be released at their Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on Sunday, December 13 at 3 p.m. at Saratoga Music Hall, located at 474 Broadway.
“We had a lot of fun working on it,” said Kelsey Dodd, 8. “This is my first CD and my first year of SCT shows. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!’”
At the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, the kids involved in making the Christmas CD will be performing their songs live, including “The 12 Days of Christmas,” “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night,” and many more. There will be food, beverages, a silent auction, and holiday fun the whole family can enjoy, including a special visit from Santa Claus himself. Guests are invited to wear their craziest, ugliest Christmas sweater.
“A Better Sweater Christmas” CD will be on sale at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party for $15.
SCT will also be announcing their summer season at the Christmas party, such as its camps for kids, juniors and teens that will be taking place next year. For anyone that loves SCT’s outstanding shows and performances, this is an announcement that cannot be missed.
“I’ve never done anything before with SCT; I’m shy and I get scared easily,” said John Gerardi, 9. “Working on the CD allowed me to step out of my shell. It was also a great experience to be able to work with a legendary producer.”
The CD was produced by Grammy award-winner Joel Moss, who has worked on several major motion pictures such as “Fatal Attraction” and “Chicago.” He has also produced for The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joe Cocker and The Eagles. The kids visited his recording studio in Greenfield Center, and for many of them, this was their first time ever in a real recording studio.
“Hearing myself singing was so weird, but fun! I’m so glad I’m getting a different experience,” said Alice Kaplan, 16, who sings “It Came upon a Midnight Clear” on the CD. “I’ve been acting in shows for 11 years and this was the first time something like this was offered to me—it’s so cool.”
Kaplan also explained how the CD incorporates kids of all ages, as SCT’s shows are usually segmented by age groups, and how great it was to work with the younger kids.
“This was the best collaborative experience I have ever had. If you want to improve as a performer, you have to try new things. Working on the CD and on my singing was a different aspect of performing. You just have to keep doing it until you’re confident,” said LJ LaFiura, 13. “I can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction, to see them having fun and enjoying it.”
Tickets to the Ugly Sweater Christmas Party are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 13 and under, and kids under five get in for free. If you can’t make it to the party to pick up your “A Better Sweater Christmas” CD, it will also be available in select stores and online. To buy tickets to the party or for more information, please visit saratogachildrenstheatre.org.
