Everywhere, It's Christmas

A charming, unflappable Italian by the name of Mario searches the world from Antarctica to Africa in search of his adored Befana. . . (you know…HO HO HO, Santa Claus!) Along the way, he and his new friends introduce the audience to Sinterklass and his companion Black Pete from Holland, Hoteiosho and the New Year’s traditions of Japan, the breaking of the piñata during Mexico’s La Fiesta de la Posada, as well as Papai Noel of Brazil and his noisy helicopter ride into Rio. During they play, the true story of the emergency that led Franz Gruber to pen Stille Nacht. . . (you know, . . Silent Night!) is shared by Heidi, Elga, and Anna after Mario interrupts the singers and insists the story be told. Finally, Mario meets his hero, Befana, who shares with him the story of the French Jesuit missionary, Father Brebeuf and how the people of the New World came to learn of the birth of the Christ Child through the hauntingly beautiful Huron Carol.