By LeAnna Hamblin
Violinist Lindsey Stirling gives an electric performance as she brings her audience a night full of Christmas joy. Stirling brings the best of her people with her onstage to provide an exciting show on her Wanderland tour. She has an stellar dance troupe that is well rehearsed and fascinating to watch. Her two-man band not only brings great music to the stage, but entertaining comedy as well. During one part of the show, Stirling lends a nod to the younger musicians in the audience by playing her tiny violin and “gifting” her band with their own very tiny instruments. Astonishingly, they successfully and comically play a Christmas medley which includes “Jingle Bells,” “Feliz Navidad,” and Stirling’s favorite, “Harry Potter,” along with other familiar Christmas favorites.
Stirling’s Wanderland dancers provide a very entertaining, audience-engaging pre-show as they wander through the audience taking pictures, dancing with the spectators, and playfully switching patrons’ seats. All this good fun leads up to one audience member being brought on stage. Or is it Stirling in disguise?
Stirling does an amazing job using her entire crew in the success of her performance, including her Stage Crew, which adds just another level of entertainment to the entire show. Stage hand Eric Jackson is the perfect mid-show comic relief while Stirling and the dance troupe change costumes. During the number “Let it Snow!” her dancers magically made it snow onstage throughout the entire number, using umbrellas as snow machines. Stirling does a magnificent job integrating her matchless talent on the violin with her lesser known talent as a dancer. Only she can play the violin while doing ballroom onstage. She uses her skills that she learned on her stint on “Dancing with the Stars” to bring another level of entertainment to the stage.
Not only does Stirling bring the fun and festive feeling of Christmas out during her concert, she takes a more serious turn while speaking of loved ones who have passed on and talking about how those people have touched, and continue to influence, her life every day. During her rendition of “Hallelujah,” Stirling makes her audience, as she puts it, feel seen, and how we can help others in our own lives feel seen. She is not afraid to share her faith in God and humanity with the audience. She performs an emotional rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High” in memory of her father, who has passed on.
Along with the traditional Christmas favorites, Stirling plays some her original songs which are quickly becoming audience favorites, including the edgy number, “Crystalize.” During this number, the lighting and use of fog is so intricate and fast-paced, it transports the crowd to, what seems like, the inside of a snow crystal.
Stirling includes numbers from The Nutcracker in which her dancers perform en pointe. Not only do her dancers get to show off their ballet skills, she even invites her beloved chihuahua on stage, complete with a tutu and dancing skills. During “Santa Baby,” Stirling shows off her vocal talent and sings while surrounded by her dance troupe. Not to worry, she completes this song with her “fly”olin, which comes flying in from above for her to play.
Stirling’s show would not be complete without the psychedelic version of “Carol of the Bells” and the “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” fan dance. Any show that includes a fan dance is a huge success in my opinion. Stirling outdoes herself during her dramatic version of “I Wonder as I Wander.” Her video desert background, and her spectacular costuming complete this segment of her show.
Stirling’s attention to detail and commitment to bringing an energy-filled night of entertainment to her fans is top notch. If ever you have a chance to see this amazing musician in concert, don’t let that opportunity pass you by. Stirling’s Wanderland tour runs through December 22, 2018 and will visit several cities throughout the United States.
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