'A Magical Medora Christmas' returns to Grand Forks, with two cast members having Greater Grand Forks ties
Dec. 1—GRAND FORKS — "A Magical Medora Christmas" touring musical show is coming to the Empire Arts Center on Sunday, Dec. 10. Performances are set for 3 and 7:30 p.m.
For tickets, $36 per person, visit
and click on "events," or call (701)746-5500.
Now in its ninth year, the show will also be presented in Grafton on Wednesday, Dec. 6; Northwood on Thursday, Dec. 7; Mayville on Friday, Dec. 8; and Devils Lake on Friday, Dec. 15. These performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit
.
The award-winning show, which runs about two hours including a brief intermission, consists of traditional and new Christmas music, fun arrangements in all kinds of styles, such as jazz, classical, blues, rock-and-roll, brass band, bluegrass, folk and more.
"A Magical Medora Christmas" features a cast of returning and new stars who "share a wonderful story that will remind us all of the reason for the season," according to the show's producer, director and host Bill Sorensen, Bismarck.
The show has become a favorite holiday event for the whole family as a way to celebrate this holiday season with music, comedy and inspiring Christmas cheer.
Sorensen has assembled a multi-talented cast for the 2023 version of the tour, which has expanded to 30 performances in 26 communities in four states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota.
For the first time, singer-songwriter Tom Brosseau of Grand Forks has joined the tour. Brosseau will perform as a vocalist and guitarist for "A Magical Medora Christmas" show.
Brosseau also is the host of a weekly variety radio show, "The Great American Folk Show," aired on Prairie Public Broadcasting. Brosseau, whose radio show originates from Medora during the summer.
Returning to the show is Misti Koop, East Grand Forks, who is well-known in this area as an active, on-stage performer in local theater productions and as a teacher who is in her fifth year teaching K-12 music in the Minto, North Dakota, school system. The vocalist and saxophone player has also performed seven times in the summers as part of the Medora Musical. This is her second year with "A Magical Medora Christmas" tour.
Koop also directs and performs in summer productions at Frost Fire Theater in the Pembina Gorge in northeastern North Dakota.
"Tom (Brosseau) and I are both thrilled and honored to be part of the 2023 Medora Christmas tour," Koop said. "We are thoroughly excited, along with our talented cast and crew, to share the Medora love and Christmas cheer all across our region."
In each performance, she said, "as the show progresses, I can feel all the individuals in the crowd finding their Christmas spirit; their memories and favorite songs. It's magical. ... "
The director and producer of "A Magical Medora Christmas" Sorensen, a comedian, magician and former Bismarck mayor, has been performing in Medora for 47 years.
Travis Smith, of Columbus, Ohio, serves as the tour's musical director and plays keyboard, guitar and vocals. He has served as musical director in Medora and performed in the "Medora Musical" and "Gospel Bunch."
The "Medora Christmas" tour debuted Nov. 25 in Billings, Montana, and will close Dec. 23 in Bismarck.
