A Mesmerizing Blend of Rock Opera, Dazzling Visuals, and Deeply Moving Narratives: Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s ‘The Lost Christmas Eve’ Transforms Amerant Bank Arena into Spectacular Fashion.

December 13th, 2024

For millions of fans the Christmas season doesn’t really kick into high gear until the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), comes to play in their town. I for one concur. This evening’s performance at the Amerant Arena in Sunrise Fl., marks my 22nd-25th show.  I would have to go back and count my ticket stubs for a precise number. The multi-platinum group kicked off their 2024 winter tour on November 13th, with a triple celebration: their 20 millionth concertgoer, (no, it wasn’t me unfortunately), 20 years of their enormously successful rock opera, “The Lost Christmas Eve,” and their ongoing philanthropic commitment to donating to charity, surpassing $20 million. A vision of their late founder, Paul O’Neill. $1 from every ticket sold is donated to a local food bank, local arts program, or other charitable organization. This evening it was Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital that was the recipient of over $7000.00.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. photo by Bob Carey

The TSO live experience is one of the greatest rock concerts you will ever see, in my humble opinion. After all, it is not my habit to see any live performer more than a few times. Okay, well that’s not true. Let’s just say, for me to see anything in double digits is extraordinary. And so is this show. However, if you’re expecting snowmen, reindeer, and the larger-than-life guy in the red suit and beard, you will be disappointed. TSO’s Christmas trilogy, CHRISTMAS EVE & OTHER STORIES, THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE, THE CHRISTMAS ATTIC, are, for lack of a better category, rock opera’s – to a point. The first 75 minutes of their performance, THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE, with the assistance of narrator, Philip Brandon. Creator and founder, Paul O’Neill wove intricate masterful tales for the holiday season.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. photo by Jason McEachern

For this second installment, wandering alone on Christmas Eve in New York City, an old bitter businessman, recounts the tragic loss of his wife, the abandonment of his infant son, and his choice to relinquish love, joy and family for his high-powered career. An encounter with a mysterious girl (possibly an angel?) leads to a life-changing reconnection. His son, a gentle soul, is found caring for premature newborns in a maternity ward. With the girl’s help, he seeks out his son. With a knowing gaze at the father he never knew, forgiven, they sit together, comforting infants. With the boy’s absolution, reunited, a new life begins. Not your typical holiday fare, the story is heartbreaking, joyous, hopeful, and profound. Along with the performance, are lasers, fire, pyrotechnics, all the bells and whistles of a rock show. But at the heart, is O’Neill’s timeless music. TSO will undoubtedly continue his work for decades to come. 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. photo by Jason McEachern

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra itself are two parts of the whole. Two touring troupes, East and West Coast, take on the task of performing 104 shows in approximately 57 days. That’s some heavy lifting. For Sunrise, this evening, the West Coast took the stage to a sold-out arena. The show split into two halves (75 minutes), include musical favorites, THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE, the colossal, WIZARDS IN WINTER, WISH LIZST, and two of my personal favorites, WHAT CHILD IS THIS?, and, BACK TO A REASON, PART II. The presentation enhanced by lasers, torches, lights, five screens (images of churches, cathedrals, lightning, fire, nutcrackers), make the sequence unforgettable as standing ovations abound. Of course, let us not forget, two band risers, lifting the musicians high about the audience, projecting outward to the arena’s rafters, and an occasional guitarist and violinist walking through the crowd. 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. photo by Jason McEachern

As if that weren’t enough, the second hour is another level all-together. A hard-rocking extravaganza, including selections from CHRISTMAS EVE & OTHER STORIES, the 3x platinum launch that stated off the trilogy, it also includes a couple of Savatage covers (O’Neill produced the rock group-which many of the musicians of TSO were members of). In fact, the opening of tonight’s show is Savatage’s cover, WELCOME. A MAD RUSSIAN’S CHRISTMAS, REQUIEM (THE FIFTH) THIS CHRISTMAS DAY, and unbelievable encore, CHRISTMAS EVE (SARAJEVO 12/24), features a massive light show, pyro all coordinated with the music, lasers, fireworks, flames, the whole she-bang.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. photo by Jason McEachern

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredibly talented musicians that make up this supergroup: Al Pitrelli, musical director and guitarist, plays searing solos, trading riffs with Angus Clark. Mark Klett and Jane Mangini (keyboards); had a great duel per the ivories, Johnny Lee Middleton (bass), Blas Elias (drums), Asha Mevlana (violin), and local string orchestra fills the massive stage. The vocalists are on another plane: Andrew Ross, Daniel Emmet, Dustin Brayley, Nate Amor, April Berry, Lorea Turner, Moriah Formica, Ross Laricchiuta, and fan favorites, Chloe Lowery and Jeff Scott Soto. Lowery once again performed an amazing version of FOR THE SAKE OF OUR BROTHER. Her angelic voice rising to the heavens was nothing short of awe-inspired. It truly is a spectacular show.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. photo by Bob Carey

If you weren’t able to catch TSO’s Winter Tour 2024, mark it down on your calendar for next year. This is one rock performance for all ages you won’t want to miss.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

Welcome (Savatage cover)
Moonlight and Madness
Faith Noel
The Lost Christmas Eve
Wizards in Winter
Christmas Nights in Blue
Christmas Jam / Siberian Sleigh Ride
Queen of the Winter Night
What Is Christmas?
Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)
For the Sake of Our Brother
Back to a Reason, Part II
What Child Is This? (William Chatterton Dix cover)
Christmas Canon Rock
Different Wings
King Rurik / Mozart and Memories / Tracers
A Mad Russian’s Christmas
Nutrocker (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky cover)
Believe (Savatage cover)
Requiem (The Fifth)
This Christmas Day
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) (Savatage cover)