PRINCESS THEATRE - Raising the Curtain: Dr. Eric Littleton
Showing posts with label Dr. Eric Littleton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr. Eric Littleton. Show all posts

Sunday, December 18, 2022

A Celebration Of Christmas Music

The 11th annual Dr. Eric Littleton's Christmas Celebration of music was a welcome warm up to the Christmas Holiday.





The addition of the Roane County Children's Theatre Group choir was a nice touch to the Christmas show. I sure hope they come back again, and I look forward to their many live plays on the Princess stage.



Plan on coming next year 
or you get put on the naughty list!

Saturday, December 18, 2021

The 10th Annual "A Celebration of Christmas Music" With Pianist Dr. Eric Littleton

The 10th annual "A Celebration of Christmas Music", with Harriman's own Dr. Eric Littleton, was again warmly received, as the traditional kickoff to the Christmas season!  Dr. Littleton was supported by Muse Watson, Dr. Littleton's wife Julie, and Keelie Whitaker.

No one enjoys this annual concert more than Dr. Littleton himself.  The man loves his music and playing a fine piano, like the beautiful Yamaha at the Princess Theatre, for a live audience.  Just look at the grin on his face in these photos!


No one plays quite like Dr. Littleton.  He practices all year just for this event, and it's evident in his unique style and sound!  His style is to blend two or more Christmas songs into something that keeps your ears "on point", listening how each melody becomes one unique "mash-up" that leaves you wanting more.



Dr. Littleton takes you to the peak of emotional music appreciation, where a tear begins to form in the corners of your eye, and then Muse Watson steps out and sings "How Great Thou Art"!  That's when the well of tears begins to flow with that Christmas spirit you want and need!
Muse was followed by Julie Littleton and her student Keelie Whitaker.  Julie is an accomplished classical pianist herself and was proud to present to the Princess audience one of her talented music students.  Both contributed to the Christmas concert experience, and we thank them for coming.



The piano music continued after Dr. Littleton had changed into his "holiday" boots!  The audience erupted in jubilant appreciation! 
Don't dare miss this holiday event next year at the Princess Theatre!

 Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sunday, December 23, 2018

The Dr. Eric Littleton Christmas Concert Has Become A Tradition At The Princess

Dr. Eric Littleton's annual "A Celebration of Christmas Music" concert has become a tradition; one that sets the tone for everyone's Christmas!  

Each year around the Thanksgiving season everyone starts posting on the "Friends Of The Princess Theatre" Facebook page, "When is the Christmas concert?", or "Is Dr. Littleton playing again this year?"

Well, the answer is always yes!  Dr. Littleton, probably, as much or more than anyone, looks forward to the intimate piano performance at the Princess Theatre in Downtown Harriman, TN.


There was great anticipation and much popcorn crunching prior to Friday night's concert.


As usual, Chris and Addie Mason introduced the show and soon we were deluged with the wonderful songs of Christmas.  
Even Santa, who sat off stage to avoid stealing the show, tapped his foot to the beats and joyful sounds of singing!

This year the Midway High School drama/choir, directed by Courtney Minton, opened the show and set the theme for the evening.  Not only their talented, but subtle humor quickly won the hearts of audience.


The star of the show is always Dr. Littleton's piano and his honed talent on its keys.  You may come every year, but you never get the same rendition.  He works throughout the year changing his arrangements, so as to make it new and interesting for his audience.


It's hard to pick a favorite Christmas song, and sometimes two or three are found within the same arrangement.  As he tells between pieces, he often gets inspiration from other "non-Christmas" songs he hears during the year.  In the music part of his brain, he can marry an Adele song, like her James Bond theme, to a Christmas carol!  And, when you hear it all come together, you rejoice at the creativity that flows from that mind!


A special moment came when Sophie, joined her father, Muse Watson, and long time family friend Mike Ross, on stage.  I never knew Sophie could play the piano until that moment, but coming from a talented mom and pop, I should have known!  You could tell her dad was bursting with pride.
muse and sophie watson from Douglas Mills on Vimeo.
This moment was emotional for me too, but when Muse sang "Mary Did You Know", tears came to my eyes.  It was a very special moment in the show.


Offering Dr. Littleton another break, was his nephew Andrew Littleton, of Huntsville, AL; proving that talent runs deep in the Littleton family.


Missing from this year's lineup was Caleb, Littleton's son, who is off making a name for himself in percussion as part of the band at MTSU.  We wish him well!


Okay, so I'll get to what you are waiting for, the photos from the Christmas Concert.  We had a great time, and hope you have a Merry Christmas, and plan to join us at the Princess next Christmas!

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Tuesday, November 6, 2018

The 2018 Christmas Concerts Announced!

December Christmas concerts announced: 

Jason Eskridge Christmas Concert
Dec 7, 2018 - 07:00 PM 

Jason Eskridge Christmas Concert DEC 07 7 p.m. 
 ___________________ 

Babahatchie Band 
Dec 14, 2018 - 07:00 PM 

Please join us for the annual Christmas Concert by our own beloved Babahatchie Band. Local musicians of all ages and backgrounds gather together to celebrate their love of music and the holiday season. From traditional Christmas carols to modern arrangements, expect to be wowed by what has become a seasonal standard here at The Princess Theatre each year. Sponsored by both the RSCC Arts and Lectures and The Princess Theatre Foundation. Concessions available (cash/check only). Bottled water, popcorn, various types of soda, candy. 

7:00 PM DECEMBER 14, 2018 General Admission/Free to the Public
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Dr. Littleton Christmas Concert 
Dec 21 2018 - 07:00 PM 

Sponsored by the Princess Theatre Foundation. Please join us for the annual Dr. Littleton Christmas concert. As a renowned pianist, Dr. Littleton brings to life the Christmas music (both traditional and modern) we all love. But fans from past years will also tell you, his concert is more than just beautiful music. Each year, this event showcases Dr. Littleton’s talent, wit, and charm. Guest musicians and guest stars are assured, and an evening of family-friendly holiday spirit will warm your heart! Tickets: $10 per person. Available at Earl Duff Subaru in Harriman or Roane Street Grill in Harriman. Also available at the door (cash/check). 

DECEMBER 21, 2018 7 PM

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Dr. Littleton's Christmas Concert Always A Hit!

One of the biggest supporters the Princess Theatre has is Dr. Eric J. Littleton and his family!  He enjoys coming to the Princess each Christmas, almost as much as we love having him.  I get several inquiries annually, just before Christmas, asking when is "Littleton" coming? 
He usually comes a couple of weeks earlier, but this year his schedule prevented it from happening until the 23rd!  This may have held attendance down a bit, but it was still one of his best shows to date!  He just keeps getting better!
His technique, or style, of not playing the old classics note-for-note is wonderful.  You can find yourself toe-tapping to a great sound, when suddenly you realize you're rocking along to "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"!  "What? I hate that song?"  However, Dr. Littleton makes it sound so good, so new, so enjoyable.  You'll have to come to understand what I mean!  Unfortunately for you, that will have to be next season!
Filling in for Muse Watson this year was our friend Phil Williams, of News Talk WOKI-FM radio.  He did, as he would say, "a marvelous job"!  He read the traditional "Night Before Christmas", and a classic from Paul Harvey the "The Man and the Birds" story.  That one always brings a tear to my eye!

This year he also brought Abbie (Abigail Sinders), who plays reminiscent of some of best Irish fiddle players, and, not surprisingly enough, she is of Irish heritage!  Together they brought a new emotion to the music on stage.
And, of course, it would not be a concert, so grandmother Littleton thinks, unless Caleb Littleton joined his father on stage for a rousing rendition of "Little Drummer Boy"!

Here are more of last Friday's photographs for you to enjoy.  Were you there?

  

 


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