The Brownville Concert Series will bring the 2018 season to a close with its annual Christmas Gala. The concerts feature Broadway star, Christine Andreas, with special holiday guests, Joel Higgins and Martin Silvestri, and introducing The Janes Trio. They will perform in concert on Friday and Saturday, December 7 and 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 9, at 2:00 p.m. Sponsors are Ruth Keene in memory of James H. Keene III, Marian Andersen, Auburn State Bank, Lifetime Vision Center, First National Bank of Johnson, DM Farms, and John, Lou and Deborah Solie in memory of Mary Solie.

Christine Andreas first captured New York City theatre-goers’ hearts in the 20th anniversary production of “My Fair Lady” as Eliza Doolittle, followed by the revival of “Oklahoma!” as Laurey, working with Billy Hammerstein and Agnes deMille,and “On Your Toes,” as Frankie Frayne, directed by the legendary director George Abbott. She last appeared on Broadway as Jacqueline in “La Cage Aux Folles” with Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge, after starring as Margaret Johnson in the much acclaimed national tour of “The Light In The Piazza.”

She created the role of Marguerite St. Just on Broadway in the original production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Other Broadway credits include “Words and Music,” “Angel Street,” “Legs Diamond,” “Stardust, “Pal Joey,” and “Heartbreaker.” Television credits include: “Law & Order: SVU,” “The Cosby Show,” “PBS’ Musical Comedy Tonight,” “Another World,” and “Mia, Child of Hollywood.”

Joel Higgins is probably best known for his acting in TV and Broadway (“Silver Spoons,” “Best of the West,” “Shenandoah,” “Oklahoma!,” and “City of Angels”) but he has also written numerous musicals and over 100 commercial jingles and theme songs. He wrote jingles for such commercials as “Kool-Aid” and “M&M’s” candy and wrote the theme song for Lucille Ball’s last TV sitcom, “Life with Lucy.” Higgins was also in the first touring company of “Grease” and has starred in many musicals and plays around the country including “Brigadoon,” “Showboat,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Guys & Dolls,” “The Music Man,” and “Side by Side with Sondheim.”

Martin Silvestri is a Grammy-nominated arranger/composer and happens to be married to Christine Andreas. He can often be found accompanying Christine on piano, and he has been responsible for arranging and producing three of her critically acclaimed albums. He has also worked with Joel Higgins on several projects including the score for “The Fields of Ambrosia,” “Johnny Guitar: the Musical,” “Storyville,” and a full-length animated feature entitled “Whistle.”

Silvestri has been credited on dozens of productions, including the original Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

The Janes Trio has been bringing audiences to their feet with their gorgeous three-part harmonies, crisp musicianship, and warm, engaging stage presence. Almost like sisters, Sula Haska, Christine Ranck, and Patti Wyss have been singing together for as long as they can remember. Collectively, The Janes represent many years of experience in show-business, its individual members having appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theaters and night clubs all over the world. Together they have graced stages from New York to Europe to Iceland, they are renowned for their live shows, where they bring audiences to their feet.

Concert tickets are $20, ($16 for students). To purchase tickets online go to www.brownvilleconcertseries.com or Facebook or call 402-825-3331. The Nebraska Arts Council (www.nebraskaartscouncil.org), a state agency, supports this program through a matching grant funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.