Christmas classics with a  humorous rock and roll twist will fill the Watertown-Mayer Performing Arts Center Sunday, Dec. 27.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Spectacular will feature Watertown native Paul “Stretch” Diethelm and an eight-piece all-star band.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the famous show starts at 7 p.m.
The event isn’t a typical Christmas concert. In fact, it’s been described as a “Las Vegas caliber, multi-media, full-production show.”
It promises to provide entertainment for everyone, with music, comedy, parodies, and even a game show.
Diethelm, a two-time Grammy-nominated guitarist, will perform at 11 locations this season. The show in Watertown is sponsored by the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce and the Watertown-Mayer School District.
As an eight-year member of the Jonny Lang Band, Diethelm toured the world and shared the stage with rock and blues legends including Aerosmith, B.B. King, Sting, and the Rolling Stones. He has made multiple appearances on national TV shows including David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan O’Brien.
The other players in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Spectacular are highly successful musicians, as well.
Pianist Ted Manderfeld of St. Cloud, for example, performs more than 120 shows a year as one half of the highly successful Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos.
He is joined on stage by vocalists Pamela McNeill, Stacy Bauer, and Tim Haussner.
Drummer Billy Thommes, bassist Mike Zeleny, and saxophonist and flutist Mike Kreitzer are all acclaimed performers, as well.
This year will be the fifth season of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Spectacular.
Fans who attended in previous years will be in for a treat this year, as the performers have worked to create some surprises that will keep everyone on their toes.
Spectators can count on the same humorous excitement, however. It’ll still be packed with great holiday tunes, played with a creative rock and roll twist.
Many of the shows in other locations have already sold out.
Tickets are available online at www.wmroyals.info or at the following Watertown businesses: Security State Bank, Bremer Bank, Watertown Pharmacy, Luce Line Lodge, B’s on the River, and the Watertown-Mayer Public Schools district office.