Unofficial Candelight Narrator List

[flyinglizard]

Kaycee,

Edward James Olmos was excellent!

 

[nasmith]

Gary Sinise is also your "CapCom" in the pre-ride intro to Mission Space at Epcot.

We saw him last year, and he was good, but not as good as James Avery, who was almost as good (but not quite) as Louis Gossett Jr. (Something about their big, booming voices and emotional vibes just sends chills down my spine)

Have also seen Robbie ("The Beast") Benson and Brian Dennehy who were both okay (ranking behind Gary IMHO), and Marlee Matlin who was very disappointing - only because her assistant who actually read the "Story" was boring and monotone (NOT an actor, obviously)---others have said she does a fine show - so I think that maybe our performance had a substitue reader or something - because he was awful.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Wow, now I'm confused. Last year we saw Ben Vereen and we thought he was good, but I guess he wasn't. This year so far we have Marlee Maitlin (she's gotten "mixed" reviews) and whoever they get for the Dec. 5th to Marlee Maitlin days. I guess I'll have to wait to make my choice.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by northern michigan
This list looks a lot like the narrators from 2003 minus Robby Benson. Do these narrators often come back year after year?

Many of them do, yes. They enjoy spending part of the holidays at WDW too!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by CoolDisneyCat
Barbday ~

Thanks for this info! We will be there on these dates and I did not know Mr. Chapman. Now I think going then will be great.

I will say that David Curtis Chapman got a little too "preachy" for me in his narration last year. At many times, he sounded like he was at a gospel revival -- lots of emotion and shouting, with hands going and the spirit moving him. Didn't care for it after a while. I really enjoyed Gary Sinise, although I've been a big fan of his for years and am anxiously awaiting CSI : NY. Angela Bassett did it one year and was incredible. Another favorite was James Avery. And, of course, James Earl Jones. Although I often find myself more caught up in watching the sign language interpreters than in listening to the narrator!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Eeyore2003
Wow, now I'm confused. Last year we saw Ben Vereen and we thought he was good, but I guess he wasn't.

Just because someone else didn't like him doesn't mean you have to share that opinion! You're allowed to think he was good!

 

[disney4us2002]

Okay, I remember reading about this last year and it seemed that Mr. Vereen did two or more nights and some thought he seemed good while another night some said he seemed 'off' - it was suspected that alcohol was involved if I read the meaning correctly.

Anyway, my understanding is that the CP is available to book before the narrators are final so I guess we'll book blindly. We want to go Christmas eve which I imagine is a pretty popular date! I would be thrilled to see Gary Sinise and may add another day if he isn't on Christmas eve but the itinerary is penciled in with CP on Christmas eve absolutely. It will take the place of our usual candlelight Christmas eve services at our home church. Only 169 days til our trip, lol!!

 

[BrerMom]

Originally posted by wilderness01
Who is Kirk Franklin?

from the www.wdwinfo.com info on night of joy

Kirk Franklin is also scheduled to perform and is considered the king of contemporary gospel.

 

[wannabebelle]

What is "The Candlelight?"

 

[Eeyore2003]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
Just because someone else didn't like him doesn't mean you have to share that opinion! You're allowed to think he was good!

You're right, thanks!!! I guess I said that wrong. I meant I had no comparison so maybe others did it even better than that!!! And now it looks like disney4us2002 might have cleared that up!!!

 

[mrp4352]

Marlee Matlin was spectacular year before last when I saw her. She signed the program and was voiced by a very unobtrusive (yet velvet voiced) gentleman. Once it's official, I'm going to try to sneak down during her performance to see her again!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by wannabebelle
What is "The Candlelight?"

Candlelight is the Candlelight Processional -- a Christmas show that is held annually at WDW, most recently at Epcot. There is a large guest choir, orchestra, herald trumpeters, Voices of Liberty, and a cast choir who perform Christmas music that relates to the story of the first Christmas from the Bible. The narration is done each show by a guest narrator. Shows begin the day after Thanksgiving and run through Dec 29, three shows a night at the America Gardens Stage.

 

[wannabebelle]

Thanks, WDSearcher. One other question--is this part of admission or an "extra" show--like MVMCP?

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by wannabebelle
Thanks, WDSearcher. One other question--is this part of admission or an "extra" show--like MVMCP?

It is included in your Epcot admission. Seating inside the theater is limited. You can buy a dinner package which guarantees you a seat or you can stand in a standby line. If you are going early in the month and go to a weeknight show, you can see it by getting in standby about 30 to 45 min ahead. Weekends and closer to Christmas are more difficult to get standby seats.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/h_cpfaq.htm

 

[dbail2]

Any idea when this list will be updated? We are planning the 5th and of course it is not on the list yet....

 

[DebbieB]

Usually the official list does not come out until October. Even then, there can be changes right up to the performance date. A couple of times our narrator got changed within a week or so before the performance.

 

[KathyTX]

We saw Rita Moreno narrate last year, and she was marvelous!

A very classy lady, she performed with lots of emotion and did a beautiful job.

 

[PJesse25]

I also saw Marlee Matlin in 2002 and thought she was great. I don't "read" sign language, but you could tell was extremely passionate. Her interpreter did a very good job as well.

I'm semi-planning a trip during the time she is narrarating and would love to see her again.

 

[LoveMickey]

We saw Rita Moreno last year also and agree with KathyTX

"We saw Rita Moreno narrate last year, and she was marvelous!

A very classy lady, she performed with lots of emotion and did a beautiful job."

We are planning on Dec 12 this year, but I've forgot to see who is narrating.

I'll go back to the beginning of the thread.

Enjoy CP it is very moving.

 

[sdwjones]

Kirk Franklin will be awesome. He will most likely be very spirited. So for those who don't like "preachy" presentation...it's not your night to go. Kirk definitely will bring on the praise and worship.

But...I would enjoy his presentation. Baby Jesus, not Mickey...however important he is to all of us on these boards, including my family... is the reason for the Christmas season and it is the story of His birth that is being read and celebrated. So...duh!

We heard Angela Bassett's reading a few years ago...brought me to tears. She was good.