The 2011 Brownville Concert Series season concludes with the Christmas Gala Friday-Sunday, Dec. 9-11.
The Christmas Gala is specially created and staged for the Brownville Concert Hall by Eric Michael Gillett, acclaimed Broadway singer and director Eric Michael Gillett. He will be joined by Broadway stars Valerie Lemon, Raissa Katona Bennett, T. Oliver Reid and Jeff Kubeta.  The concerts are Friday-Saturday, December 9-10 at 7:30 p.m. The evening concerts will feature a wine bar and complimentary Christmas treats at intermission. The Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m. performances will include Christmas treats at intermission.  Come and see why Brownville is synonymous with Christmas.
Concert tickets are $17, $12 for students.  To purchase tickets online go to: www.brownvilleconcertseries.com or call 402-825-3331.    
Gillett previously performed in Brownville in 1996, 1998 and 2005.
A MAC and Bistro Award winning vocalist, Gillett’s own cabaret shows have included “Cast of Thousand-The Songs of Craig Carnelia”, It Takes Two–The Duets of Stephen Sondheim” with Melanie Vaughan and his critically lauded collection of radio songs of the past 40 years “Hook, Line & Singer.”  He was seen on Broadway in the original casts of “Kiss Me Kate”, “Sweet Smell of Success” and “The Frogs.”  Gillett was Papa Denny in “Dream a Little Dream”, Richard in “The Tutor” and also appeared in New York City Opera productions of “Cindarella”, “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Candide.” He has appeared in movies such as “The Brothers”, “The Producers” and “Maid in Manhattan.” Gillett appeared on TV in “Law & Order.”
Lemon has performed across the United States as concert soloist for Academy Award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch for 12 years. She made her New York City cabaret debut with the sold-out run of her solo show, The Way of the Heart. Lemon returned with her triumphant tribute to the legendary Jane Froman, “The Jane Froman Songbook: A Song in My Heart.” She previously performed in Brownville in 2008.   
On Broadway, Bennett performed the leading role of Christine Daae in “Phantom of the Opera.” She also performed in the Los Angeles and national touring companies of “Phantom”. Also on Broadway, Bennett appeared in the Actor’s Fund Benefit Concert of “Chess” with Josh Groban. She appeared in the first national tours of “Cats” and in “Parade”, where she worked with the original creative team of director Harold Prince. Bennett was an original cast member of “Savin’ Aimee.”  
Reid is the winner of the Metropolitan Room’s “2010 Metrostar Challenge.” He was also a featured artist in The 21st New York Cabaret Convention.  Reid’s Broadway credits include, “Chicago”, “Kiss Me Kate”, “Follies”, “Thoroughly Modern Milllie”, “Never Gonna Dance”, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “The Wedding Singer”, “Mary Poppins”, “Damn Yankees” and the 25th anniversary concert of “Dreamgirls.”
Cubeta is in demand as a vocalist, musical director, pianist and vocal technician.  As a vocalist he performed the tenor solo in Orff’s Carmina Burana with The Three Rivers Choral Society.  Cubeta sang as tenor soloist at First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. He has sung as a guest soloist at Chelsea Community Church in New York.  Cubeta currently is rehearsing a new solo cabaret act tentatively scheduled to make its New York premiere in the autumn of 2012.  
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.  Mid-America Arts Alliance, www.maaa.org, was created to support and stimulate cultural activity in communities throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.