The Wizards of Winter

By: Lori Smerilson Carson

On location at the Lorain Palace Theatre in Lorain, Ohio, an amazing start to the holiday season took place as The Wizards of Winter opened their 2025 season tour, bringing their Christmas story to life. They will be bringing this phenomenal performance to Ocala on December 10th at The Savannah Center in the Villages for Florida fans to experience.

This was the opening show for The Wizards of Winter and it all started with a magical adventure. A trip inside a snow globe which as a serious snow globe fan, I was completely onboard! Narrator Tony Gaynor, brings us into this place with his calm, intriguing voice and explains that we are going “to find the true meaning of Christmas.”

The evening started with the song “Tales Out of Time” which flowed into Founder/Music Director/Keyboardist Scott Kelly’s solo, followed by Co-Founder/Lead Vocalist/Flautist Sharon Kelly singing solo, revealing her incredible soprano vocal range for the song “Snow Globe”. Then we, the audience, take a magical trip inside the snow globe to find the true meaning of Christmas with “Arctic Flyer”. All guitarists Fred Gorhau, Steve Brown and Bassist Greg Smith played with white guitars, but as the show goes on through the evening, the guitars reflect the season.

Now that we all were inside the snow globe, Tony explained that there was more to see as fog rolled onstage. This was when Lead Vocalist Guy LeMonnier took the stage to sing “Special Feeling” displaying his amazing tenor voice, joined by rhythmic dual guitars. At this point we came across a snow storm where anything was possible. Lead Vocalist/Auxiliary Keyboardist Alexis Smith revealed her outstanding alto/soprano vocals that enticed the audience to clap along with the rock guitars as she sang “Gonna Snow”.

Scott threw snowballs into the audience to complete the winter scene.

Our narrator Tony, then spoke of Christ’s birth and how the world changed which led into Fred’s guitar solo leaving no doubt of why he is know as “The Shredder”, spotlighting his green guitar. Sharon and Guy performed a duet that was completely mesmerizing and then the entire band brought chills as Alexis added on to the bliss of the song “Ave”.  They move into “Three Ships” as Sharon sang and Greg played a bass solo revealing why he has been sought after by many bands, bringing the entire band in with a solid rock sound, showcasing the incredible talents of Violinist/Vocalist Lacie Carpenter. Guy sang “Hark! the Herald Angels sing” featuring his strong vibrato vocals, adding Lead Vocalist Manny Cabo with his astounding rock vocals to sing “Once Long Ago”, ending with the inclusion of Tony and Lacie.

We hear the story of a newborn baby sleeping in a manger as Scott plays undertones on organ which leads into heavier rock as Manny sang “Four Kings” with his strong vibrato vocals that also brought chills and a round of applause. Then Steve (now with his purple guitar) and Scott were sporting sunglasses as a cool story was told. Scott played an astonishing organ solo with his hands gliding effortlessly across the keys. A funky fifties type rock sound filled the room as Sharon (playing flute) and Lacy (playing violin) danced and in a choreographed circle for the song “Nutrocker” which led to the hype of the audience and another roar of applause.

With another keyboard solo, the narrative of Christmas being simple and holy led to the song “Christmas Dream”.

Scott played the intro to “Mr Crowley” before he began “Ebeneezer” wearing his. Ebeneezer costume, and then Guy sang with Alexis. Sharon sang and further pulled in the audience leading back to Guy and some dramatic actoring, adding Manny and a heavy rock sound that Greg and Steve perfected as they march across the stage. Drummer John O’Reilly ended the song displaying his extraordinary talents which carried throughout the entire show. Scott addresses the audience and introduces the band before exiting for a brief intermission.

The second half starts with the band playing instrumentally into “Handel’s Torch”. Then Tony gives a narrative about a woman which Alexis brings to life in the song “Just Believe” as Guy enters stage left on the riser bringing the song to a more rocking style. Then back to Alexis for more mellow, and back to Guy for more rocking out which leads to Fred’s guitar solo. Thunder brings in narrator Tony talking of a nasty snow storm which leads into a wicked violin solo which Lacie performed brilliantly. That then broke into a heavy rock song with Greg’s remarkable bass solo and Steve’s world renowned exceptional guitar solo where he plays behind his head (now with his red guitar). A  storm takes us to the North Pole. A heavy intro brought Guy in singing “Polar Eve” with all strings (guitarists and violin) choreographically moving simultaneously in a perfect rock stance and sway, all in alignment which brought out the rocker in everyone! The party really lets loose with beach balls tossed from the onstage performers into the audience as Alexis dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus sang “Mrs. Claus” while scouting the audience for a lucky attendee to receive the official Santa hat.

As beach balls and snowballs are flying into the audience and people are catching and throwing to each other in a fun communal way, the Wizards flow into “Toys” and “Midnight Noel” The audience stands and claps and maneuvers to see Scott playing his portable keyboard as he weaves through the audience and back up onstage. The crowd enthusiastically applauded!

The instrumental became a bit haunting as our narrator Tony entered the stage telling us that we are heading to the North Pole. The Wizards break into a heavy metal intro as Sharon walks down the middle isle of the audience toward the stage singing “New Queen”, showcasing her coloratura soprano vocals, and then enters the stage to join the guitarists. Sharon ends the song with an amazing belt that rings throughout the Palace. Our narrator Tony informs us that the snow globe is heading to New York City to help fellow man. Melodic intro fills the air highlighting keyboards and violin, then becomes a more upbeat rock sound with Sharon’s flute solo while Manny sings “Plain Sight” then “Little Help” spotlighting another one of Fred’s shredding guitar solos with his red guitar, while Steve plays the slide guitar with his white guitar. All of this is backlit with snowfall lighting that expands across the ceiling above the audience. This is where Manny again displays his incredible vocal range when he sang “Little Help”. Tony, our narrator, explains that the arctic flyer has to go back home and reminds us to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. He wished the audience a merry Christmas and then the band broke into the final song of the evening “Spirit” which

Guy sang so emphatically, adding the talents of the band to leave the entire audience truly with the Christmas spirit.

Ending this grand finale, Scott acknowledged the band again and reminded the audience that all of their merchandise sale’s profits go to the charity “Tunnels to Towers”, truly embracing the holiday essence of giving.