An antidote to the most stressful of seasons, the Annual Christmas Without Tears Variety Charity live program goes virtual for its 15th year
“the show started as a party in our home to try to comfort Judith, a Welsh woman prone to melancholia, who could not stand that the fact that Christmas in Southern California was about 78 degrees and sunny” as Harry Shearer tells it.
What began as a humble holiday house party to chase away Judith’s yuletide blues became a charity event and performance in 2005 when they staged it to aid the people of New Orleans after Katrina. – over the years, live shows in London, New York, New Orleans, Chicago and Los Angeles raising funds for selected charities benefitting for those who are at risk including Elton John’s Aids Foundation, Our Friends Place. West London Mission, Snow City Arts, The New Orleans Musicians Clinic among others.
The show has featured invited performers and surprise guests who drop into Harry and Judith’s onstage living room and share a song or a joke to bring the holiday spirit to all. Comics, magicians, and even circus acts have been welcome additions, adding the perfect mix that makes this a true variety show.
Hosted by Harry Shearer and Judith Owen, Christmas Without Tears 2020 includes guest video appearances by:
Richard Thompson
Jon Cleary
Julia Fordham
Steve Lukather (featuring Ringo Starr)
Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony
Jeff Goldblum
The Stanton Moore Trio
Howard Levy
Trixie Minx
Paranormal phenomenon Clinton Baptiste
Paul Shaffer
Amy Engelhardt (the Bobs)
David Blenkhorn
Miss Hope Springs
Davell Crawford
Evan Christopher & David Torkanowsky
The Orion Orchestra
Donald Fagen
Bryan Batt
John Goodman
Chris Difford
Kermit Ruffins
Tommy Foster with Scott Nesbit
Phil DeGruy
Leland Sklar
House band:
CJ Vanston
