Christmas Fantasy...part 2

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One of Karen's assistants came to the door, and said they were ready to start soon. Olivia and Dionne left to head to their seats. Many other celebrities were in the audience for this special event.


Karen headed backstage to wait. She could see Richard at his grand piano, and the orchestra behind him. The stage was a lavish set, with extravagent Christmas theme, but it looked beautiful. The curtain was closed, and she could hear the murmur of the crowd outside. Then she heard the announcer say, "Ladies and gentlemen! It gives us great pleasure to welcome A CARPENTERS CHRISTMAS FANTASY starring Richard and Karen Carpenter. Their guests this evening include 5 time Grammy winner, Gospel superstar Sandi Patty. Beautiful voiced Michael English, winner of multi Dove Awards, and presenting for the first time. Traci Carpenter, in her debut performance. The Carpenters and their friends will be accompanied by the Tom Bahler Chorale. Ladies and Gentlemen...Mr. Richard Carpenter!"


The audience began to clap, as the lights dimmed, and the curtains rose. Richard began to play, IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR which led into the Overture, that everyone was familiar with. From their platinum CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT album of 1978.


Then Karen came out to sing THE CHRISTMAS SONG and she did it so eloquently, claiming the song as her own. Her standing ovation surprised her and touched her as well.


"I would love to take the time to introduce a fabulous singer making her debut tonight. My neice Traci Carpenter. She will be joining us on our holiday favorite, MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING. Please give us a warm welcome for Miss Traci Carpenter!" Karen exclaimed happily.


The audience began to clap, as Traci came out. Richard began to play as Karen began to sing. Traci and Richard joined in on the chorus. All 3 of their voices blending, especially Karen and Traci. Karen felt it was such a joy to be singing with her own flesh and blood. Her neice had wonderful talent!


The audience began clapping even before the song ended. Richard was just beaming with pride. Traci left the stage, but she would be coming back later to sing again...a solo. Then finally the audience quieted down as they sang HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, then Karen relayed a bit of stories of Christmases gone by.


"Christmas was always a special time of the year for me and my family. It was a time for us to have fun, spend the time with relatives we hadn't seen for awhile. We got to just relax for a bit, and visit, eat good food. Memories we will always cherish. So the next song we want to do is AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS.


Karen always loved this song and singing it made her miss her parents even more. It had been many years since both of them had passed on, and it always seemed to overwhelm her at the holidays. Her parents were the essence of Christmas.


Richard introduced their next song and artist, "Awhile back, we found out that our next singer, was a huge fan of Karen's. On one of her LIVE albums, she did a rendition of the way she thought Karen would sing the the Gospel song Jesus Loves Me. Well we got a chance to listen to it, and we both cracked up. She did an amazing rendition. So we thought we would love to sing with this multi octaved singer. So put your hands together for 39 Dove Award winner Sandi Patty!"


The audience began to cheer as Sandi came onstage and came out to give Karen a big hug.

"Oh Karen...Richard! It's so good to be here! It's a dream come true for me...the singing Carpenters! I must tell you. When I was a teen, I listened to your albums ALL THE TIME! I used to grab my hairbrush and pretend it was a microphone and sing the way I thought Karen would sing a song! Isn't that silly!" gushed Sandi.


Karen asked, " Silly that you would sing like me, or silly that you would grab a hairbrush?"


"A hairbrush of course!" laughed Sandi.

"Well let's sing a standard that the lovely Judy Garland sang. How about, "HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS?" asked Karen, glancing at the audience who began cheering and clapping their approval.


So the 2 female singers began to sing, their voices blending beautifully. It gave Sandi a chance to sing in her deep register, along with Karen's gorgeous contralto. It was a rare piece of heaven to have these two singers together.


Then Karen left the stage, as Sandi sang BETHLEHEM MORNING which moved the audience. Karen was quickly changing into another outfit. A sequinned red, and white gown.

Karen passed Sandi backstage and gave her a hug, before Karen went back onstage.

Richard was introducing Michael Engish, and was talking a bit about the classic Mark Lowry song MARY DID YOU KNOW. How Richard had heard this dynamic moving song and wanted Karen to record it. But Karen wouldn't because she felt she couldn't do justice to it. And how Richard had to beg for Karen to at least consider singing this song for this Christmas performance. And Karen finally agreed to sing this song, if she could do a duet with Michael English. So Richard agreed, and Michael agreed.


"So please welcome recording artist and Dove winner, Michael Engish!"


Karen came onstage with Michael, and they began their song

Mary Did You Know(by Mark Lowry)

Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will one day walk on water

Mary did you know
That your baby boy
will save our sons and daughters

Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you knew
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you...

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After Karen and Michael were done their song, the applause that met them, met with a standing ovation. They bowed. Karen was very pleased that the special was going along, better than planned. It also helped, that their musical guests were professional and very polished, and met with the singing Carpenters approval.


Michael left the stage, as she and Richard sang a string of classic Holiday standards. CHRIST IS BORN, LITTLE ALTAR BOY and the gorgeous recording, which Karen had never sung before ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH. When Karen hit the high notes, she hit them with ease, and sounded like an angel.

Sandi came back on stage to join Karen on the AVE MARIA. They both wore white evening length gowns, with white candles surrounding them in a spotlight. Their harmonies were breathtaking. Sandi sang in an almost operatic way, and Karen was able to make her voice sing in an operatic style. Both their lung power was impressive. "A bear to sing" was the way Richard would say, thought Karen.

Michael English came back on, to sing with Richard, Karen, Sandi and Traci for the finale of songs. WINTER WONDERLAND, I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, O HOLY NIGHT.

Traci did a solo. AWAY IN A MANGER. As Traci sang, Karen watched her and new a career would be had by Traci. She sang like a bird, with such carefree ease. It would be interesting to follow Traci's newfound career.

The ending song was sung by Karen and Richard, seated at a piano. Karen wore a blue outfit, with lace. She looked gorgeous, and sounded gorgeous as she sang the slow version of SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN which met with a 5 minute standing ovation.

They met with an encore of Sandi and Karen doing STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

The special was over, and featured over 2 hours of music. When it was over, Karen was glad. Some of the songs, and other sketches, were shot previously, so it would make for a fun filled evening of entertainment.