A VERY MURRAY CHRISTMAS!
A Holiday Cabaret Show for the Entire Family
By Joan S. Peck
Ed Murray moved to Las Vegas from Long Island in December 2018 after retiring from teaching high school English and Theatre Arts for 31 years. During the summers, he pursued his own performances, working in Regional Theatres and performing Cabaret Shows.
A few of his favorite roles include Herr Schultz in “Cabaret,” Vernon Gersch in “They’re Playing Our Song,” and George in “La Cage Aux Folles.” In addition to doing “book shows,” he has done 12 solo acts. He premiered “Songs My Mother Loved” at New York City’s Metropolitan Room before moving to Las Vegas, along with “A Very Murray Christmas!” which premiered at his Alma Mater, C. W. Post Center of Long Island University. “It was a fundraiser for the theatre department scholarship fund. Having been a recipient of such a scholarship myself and so grateful for that, I truly believe in ‘paying it forward.’”
“The friends I’ve made here have been asking me to bring my Christmas show to Las Vegas, and I’m very excited that the management of Tivoli Village, where our gallery is located, supported the idea to create a Cabaret Event Series. So, I will perform “A Very Murray Christmas!” twice this holiday season with my singing partner, Monique Hester.”
Monique Maffei Hester, the other half of the singing duo Murray & Monique, is a professional singer, songwriter, empowerment speaker, and voice-over artist. She uses inspirational songs, engaging content, and Holy Spirit-inspired messages to help people identify their God-given purpose and walk in the fullness of all they were created to be.
Throughout her career, Monique has spoken and performed in multiple venues all over the United States and abroad, both as a solo artist and as part of several Jazz trios. Her original songs have been featured in live bodybuilding shows, fitness videos, independent films, internet radio, Christian radio, and television.
The hour-long “A Very Murray Christmas” consists of 13 traditional and modern holiday songs and a few obscure ones with commentary and anecdotes between some songs, peppered with fun, cheeky dialogue.
What’s next? At the end of January, Murray & Monique will premiere their new act, “Just in Love?” at the gallery. Their goal is to take the show on the road to as many “55 and older” communities as possible.
This year, make your holiday season more festive by enjoying fun holiday music with Murray & Monique while nibbling on tasty food. You’ll be delighted that you did.
TWO PERFORMANCES:
Sunday – December 11 – doors open at 7:00 pm, show starts at 7:35 pm
Saturday – December 17 – doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 8:35 pm
COST: $30 – includes wine/soft drinks, cheese/charcuterie, and finger desserts
FOR TICKETS:
- Stop by the Desert Valley Gallery (410 S. Rampart Blvd., Ste. 145)
- Call the Gallery at (702) 476-0767
- Pay through Zelle at (516) 426-2339