A Prairie Home Companion from American Public Media

December 24, 2005
This weekend we'll gather East and West in a joyful Christmas broadcast from the Town Hall in New York City. With special guests: the legendary Blues singer Odetta, three brilliant voices from the Metropolitan and New York City Operas—Janez Lotric and Jennifer Rivera. Also featuring Czech father and daughter duo, Stanislav and Kristina Kotyza. And from the Ukraine, the Paulishyn sisters—ages eleven and thirteen—accompanied by Alla Kutsevych on the amazing Bandura (the national instrument of Ukraine). All of this, plus the Royal Academy of Radio Acting, The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band with Andy Stein, and the News from Lake Wobegon. Join us, for a packed sleigh ride this Christmas Eve!

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In segments
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Segment 1

00:00:00 Logo

00:00:13 Tishomingo Blues, opening credits

00:02:03 GK opens, talks about the transit strike, tonight's guests

00:04:26 GK introduces the Pavlishyn Sisters

00:05:28 "A New Happiness Becomes" - the Pavlishyn Sisters and Alla Kutsevych

00:08:18 GK introduces Janez Lotric

00:11:15 "Look, the Stars of God"/"There is the Manger" - Janez Lotric

Segment 2

00:15:35 GK intros Kristina and Stanislav Kotyza

00:18:20 "She Wants the Baby To Sleep" - Kristina and Stanislav Kotyza

00:21:45 GK talks with Jennifer Rivera about her Christmas

00:23:20 "O Holy Night" - Jennifer Rivera and Rachelle Jonck

00:27:00 GK introduces Odetta

00:27:47 "Mary Had A Baby" - Odetta and Seth Farber

00:30:04 Powdermilk Biscuit Break/"Deck the Halls"/"Hanukah in Santa Monica"

00:33:01 GK introduces Gio Gaynor, subway ukulele player

00:34:55 "Sweet Child O' Mine" - Gio Gaynor and Shoe Band

00:39:08 Guy Noir script

Segment 3

00:53:57 GK talks to Odetta

00:55:00 Odetta reads a quote by Nelson Mandela

00:56:30 "This Little Light of Mine" - Odetta and Seth Farber

00:58:45 Intermission

Segment 4

01:03:30 Welcome Back to the Second Half, greetings

01:06:45 "Limericks" - GK and Richard Dworsky

01:09:32 "Wintertime" - Jennifer Rivera, Richard Dworsky, Andy Stein, and Gary Raynor

01:12:10 Wonderful Life script

01:14:47 Monk script

01:17:47 "The Little Drummer Boy" - GK and Shoe Band

01:20:12 "Crazy Mixed-Up Christmas" - Pat Donohue and Shoe Band

01:24:40 GK brings back Alla Kutsevych and the Pavlishyn Sisters

01:25:37 "Strange News" - Pavlishyn Sisters and Alla Kutsevych

Segment 5

01:27:43 GK brings Janez Lotric back

01:29:07 "What Happened to All the Shepherds"/"Angels Sing on Heaven" - Janez Lotric and Lenart Krecic

01:33:20 "How Beautiful You Are Baby Jesus" - Kristina and Stanislav Kotyza

01:35:27 GK brings out Odetta

01:36:00 "What Month Was Jesus Born In" - Odetta

01:38:57 News From Lake Wobegon, credits, "Silent Night"

Photos from the show
Click images to view slideshow. (Photos taken by Kelly Schaub)


Garrison Keillor introduces Janez Lotric		"O Holy Night" as performed by Jennifer Rivera


Production Assistant extraordinaire, Sarah Mroue		Gio Gaynor, subway musician, with "Sweet Child O' Mine"


Pat Donohue, backed up on the sax by Andy Stein on "Crazy Mixed-Up Christmas"		Garrison Keillor with The News from Lake Wobegon.