Cinergy's Home for the Holidays at the Taft Theatre this month plays on the nostalgia factor, says director/choreographer Patti James.

        “This is five years running. It's a warm, loving, happy show. It's like (the film) White Christmas, that everyone wants to see every year. That's why it's nice to come back.”

IF YOU GO

• What: Cinergy's Home for the Holidays, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, John Morris Russell, conductor.   • When: 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23.   • Where: Taft Theatre, downtown.   • Tickets: $23-$33; $10 children 12 and under. 381-3300.

        Ms. James helped conceive the family show with John Morris Russell, associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Although the story line has remained the same — Wally the Pig wants to be in a Christmas show — she and Mr. Russell have made small changes each year. Her challenge is to keep it fresh, well-paced — and interesting for the adults who bring the children, she says.

        Ms. James, 44, has been in the business since she was a 15-year-old choreographer at Paramount's Kings Island. After graduating from McAuley High School, the Mount Airy native toured with Chicago as a dancer.

        “I was one of what they call the "Cell Block Tango' performers,” she says. “I worked with incredible stars, like Larry Kert and Lenora Nemitz. It's amazing how, if I go to a show, I still see somebody onstage that I've worked with.”

        Her career highlights include choreographing the Warner Bros. float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, and working on the set of Heartsong, a Dolly Parton movie.

        After teaching at the Sydney, Australia, School of Performing Arts, Ms. James returned in 1992 to her home town and lives with her family in North Avondale. Today, she teaches the stars of the future at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

        “At least half of the cast are from CCM,” she says. “I don't think you can get any better.”
       

Andy Williams coming home
Long shot for success
Lift would make 14-year-old more mobile
KNIPPENBERG: Rosanne Cash signing, not singing
KIESEWETTER: Youngest 'Madigan' man lived in Tristate
Middletown Rep wrapped up in Christmas of '44
Shepherd tries to find comfort with talk show
Choreographer connects with 'Home for the Holidays'
Wallflowers blossom into top-rate group
Get to It