By STU CLAMPITT
news@readthereporter.com
Marie Osmond performed Saturday night for a packed Palladium in Carmel. It was the only Indiana stop on her Symphonic Christmas tour.
A few hours before the show, she and her nephew, David Osmond, spent time talking with a small group of fans during the soundcheck session. That session included the Osmond version of “Happy Birthday,” sung to Carmel City Councilman Jeff Worrell. The Reporter is still debating posting that video clip, for the sake of both Worrell and the Osmonds.
Marie Osmond assesses the Palladium’s acoustics during sound check before Saturday evening’s show. (Reporter photo by Stu Clampitt)
The show, in fine Osmond fashion, was a very audience-interactive performance reminiscent of Marie’s variety show days.
Marie called her nephew, David, a living miracle. In his late 20s, he was in a wheelchair suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). While he said he still feels great pain from the chest down, he’s dancing and singing and living his life to the fullest. “I have MS,” David told the audience, “but MS doesn’t have me!”
While the show began with “A Little Bit of Christmas,” Marie and David brought more than a little bit to audiences. There were conversations with individuals, stories from their lives, several laughs, a great deal of music, multiple spontaneous standing ovations, and even a visit from Santa and an elf.
Marie spoke at both the soundcheck session and the concert about how much she enjoyed Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt.
As she told The Reporter she would when we spoke to her in November, Marie Osmond turned Christmas up to 11. Maybe, if we are lucky, that will help tempt her back for another show sometime. She has a very active Facebook page, Facebook.com/marieosmond, if you would like to lobby for a return trip.
Reporter photos by Stu Clampitt