Jon Robert Howe is first last, and always a seeker of truth who is happy to share--an educator experienced in multimedia ways to make learning memorable. He has been in turns a newspaper photographer, radio news broadcaster, professional Santa Claus, actor, video producer, musical playwright, graphic and Internet designer, marketing executive and innovative blogger. In his computer classes, Jon loves to teach hungry students the presentation computer techniques that he is always polishing and using. He really enjoys leading church classes using his multimedia skills to not only keep his students awake--but more, to help make the lessons “stick” in the minds and hearts of his fellow students.
Dear Doctors- When I came home after our visit, I noticed what appeared to be letters poking through my stomach. After your complete review of my delusion that I am, in fact, Santa Claus; and in light of your comments about the nature of the bottom of my front, I believe there are psychosomatic issues in play that could be disturbing in one so young (63).
I have carefully documented the condition here and hope that you will excuse the bad spray-on tan and my obvious surprise.
Naturally I don't plan to share this development with anyone but my closest family and friends and hope that they will keep my confidence. Any reference to: “My Father (or my friend) the Jello Man” could offend Bill Cosby!
What would you recommend so the letters don't show quite so prominently through my red and white Christmas in July Aloha shirt?
Scroll down for three exciting stage show snippits of Santa and his helpers.
This first wonderful ten minute YouTube production is based on my long-held conviction that everyone can BE a Santa. (Mothers around the world fulfill this conviction every Christmas Eve as Fathers are out doing last minute shopping, buying a tree or, at the Happy Howe House, playing Santa for families who need one.)
In 2008 this is how Broadwayj1 video taped the Indianapolis Symphony showcase of the annual performance of the Tap Dancing Santas featuring a "Santatizing" Machine in their "08 Yultide Celebration".
For years I've been the Intermission on tour with Marie Osmond's Magic of Christmas Show. Watch how Ann Hampton Callaway, the host of the symphony Yuletide program greets Santa and goes off stage for a costume change, likely a drink and other personal business. It's just about the way we've done it on stage across the country for more than 30 years.
You'll enjoy the terrific way they get her back on stage! Enjoy this marvelous of On-Stage Santa craft. Aaron Fuksa couldn't be a more jolly, musical Santa star of this segment.
Here's the lyrics of the Broadway version of this North Pole Anthem for your study and enjoyment. It is, for me, a most adequate mission statement for what we do in the cap and bells--at Christmas and for some, Year "Round!
Be a Santa, jolly Santa, happy Santa Give the world a merry Christmas Be Chris Cringle, bells will jingle What you bring will fill the world with joy
Come on and twink that twinkle, wrinkle your eyes Buckle your chins, bring out your bell Remember wink and giggle, wiggle your beard Keep up your grins, get out and sell the spell of all Noël Noël
Be a Santa, roly Santa, holy Santa Spread the word ‘A merry Christmas’ Be so jolly that with holly and by golly everyone will love you if you’ll be a Santa Clause
Grab your belly, then let go, shake like jelly too and throw (hahahahahaha hohohoho) a roar and bellow in the snow, like a mellow buffalo (hahahahahaha hohohohohoho)
Be a Santa, jolly Santa, happy Santa Give the world a merry Christmas Be Chris Cringle, bells will jingle What you bring will fill the world with joy
Come on and twink that twinkle, wrinkle your eyes Buckle your chins, bring out your bell Remember wink and giggle, wiggle your beard Keep up your grins, get out and sell the spell of all Noël Noël Be a Santa, jolly Santa, happy Santa Give the world a merry Christmas Be a Santa Clause
[Thanks to mandy ducroix for lyrics] http://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/subwaysareforsleeping/beasanta.htm JWC
This second very brief 1:14 clip of the Rockettes and Santa performing in Tulsa Oklahoma at the BOK center on December 22nd, 2008 (I think I see my niece, Lindsay Howe, from Sacramento, California in the auburn hair on the front line.)
Third and finally what appears to be a bootleg video of a Rockettes' Christmas show from 2005 that draws attention to another outstanding example of Santa Stage Craft--and brilliant full screen video clouds on a cold winter's night. YouTube is filled with these. Be patient with the awkward camera work. Eventually it smooths out for a good look at dancing and performance. (This is precisely what entertainment managers hope never happens--somebody in the audience with a home camera stealing their choreography and effects.) As a producer and performer, I'm glad for the great examples. Note the antler's at the end of the number.
For almost 77 years the Rockettes have perform for millions ! Troupe was started by Russell Markert in 1925 as the Missouri Rockets ! Samuel Roxy Rothafel brought the dancers to NY to perform at The Roxi Theatre & in 1932 the Company left with Rothafel to opened a show @ RCMH & the rest is Dance precision history .
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