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Leslie Odom Jr.
Enthralled MGM
With His Tallent

December 8, 2025

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Have you ever gone to a concert and thought to yourself that you are grateful to just be in the same building as the performer?

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Well that happened to me last night at the Leslie Odom Jr. holiday concert at MGM's Center Stage.

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Odom is just an Oscar away from being in the rarified air of being an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).  His talents were on full display last night as he put on an outstanding performance along with his incredible four-piece backing band.

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He opened up the show with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" that included some jazz improvisations from his backing band.  He allowed for his musicians to shine on the next two songs, "My Favorite Things" and "The Christmas Waltz" as well.

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Then he let his own beautiful tenor to take center stage on "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) which would have given Nat King Cole a run for his money.

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He then threw in some gospel with "Christmas (The Who)" and "The First Noel."

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In the middle of the set, his musicians gathered around him as they did an incredible acapella version of "Jesus Gave Me Water."  That was worth the price of admission alone.

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Then it was story time.  The talented actor gave a thrilling rendition of "Twas The Night Before Christmas."  Even though we have heard this story told hundreds of times, to have a master tell it with voice inflections and dramatic pauses, it just puts it on another level.

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The main set closed with "O Tannenbaum" sung in German, "Ave Maria" which was sung in Italian and his own tune, "Heaven & Earth" sung in English.

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Odom and the band returned to play The Carpenters "Merry Christmas Darlin" and the song that put him on the map "Wait For It" from Hamilton which brought the house down. 

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He ended the show with the beautiful "I Wish You Love."

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This man is a generational talent and I'm so glad I got to see him in person.  The only thing negative was that it was held at a casino which is 21 and over.  Entire family's, from one to 92 would have enjoyed this show.  I'm sure it would have been sold out as well.

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Review and cell phone photos by Greg Drugan (cameras were not allowed)

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