Candlelight Processional narrator change as Edward James Olmos pulls out of the event

Oct 21, 2022 in "Candlelight Processional"

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Posted: Friday October 21, 2022 9:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Edward James Olmos has pulled out of the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Candlelight Processional, resulting in a change to the lineup.

Actress, singer and dance Chita Rivera steps in to replace Edward James Olmos from November 27 - 29.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Candlelight Processional

Here is the updated 2022 Candlelight Processional narrator line-up:

11/25 – 11/26: Simu Liu
11/27 – 11/29: Chita Rivera
11/30 – 12/1: Raul Esparza (NEW)
12/2 – 12/3: Whoopi Goldberg
12/4 – 12/6: Isabella Rossellini
12/7 – 12/9: Daymond John
12/10 – 12/12: Josh Gad (NEW)
12/13 – 12/14: Gloria Estefan (NEW)
12/15 – 12/18: Neil Patrick Harris
12/19 – 12/20: Mariska Hargitay (NEW)
12/21 – 12/23: Cal Ripken Jr.
12/24 – 12/26: Marie Osmond
12/27 – 12/28: Courtney Vance
12/29 – 12/30: Angela Bassett

Candlelight Processional takes place nightly at America Gardens Theatre and features celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story accompanied by the Voices of Liberty a capella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra with herald trumpets, and massed choirs comprised of Disney cast members and local community groups.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are now on sale, offering reserved seating for the show. Learn more about participating Candlelight Processional restaurants and pricing.

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TouchdownDec 15, 2022

Still awkward sounding.

MisterPenguinDec 15, 2022

Well, that's because, grammatically, it should be "let us walk with one another..." ;) Other inclusive versions have "let me walk with my neighbor..."

TouchdownDec 15, 2022

I imagine it’s more because of the “let me walk with my brother” part than God. The change to let “us walk with each other” always comes off awkward sounding.

MisterPenguinDec 15, 2022

I'll grant that the song is very vague and impressionistic to the point it teeters on being secular. But since it's not a truly secularized song, I'll allow it. ;) Speaking of secularization, I just realized that they started "Let There Be Peace On Earth" with the 2nd verse... which doesn't mention God like the first verse does. Grrrr.

JohnDDec 15, 2022

Of course not. But in reality, that's not what the only king around would have said or done which is why I always cringe when I hear that verse. LOL. I love the sentiment, though. If it were only true then.

TouchdownDec 15, 2022

However, it’s a Christmas veneer on a song pleading for world peace during a nuclear crisis. That’s why there is all these references to hearing, looking to the sky, etc. It was composed during the Cuban Missile Crisis by a husband and wife, they could never listen to it afterwards. It’s out of place surrounded by traditional carols. I don’t hate the song, but I dislike its placement in Candlelight.

MisterPenguinDec 15, 2022

Ok... Songwriting Regney wrote the lyrics for the song, while Shayne composed the music in October 1962. This was an unusual arrangement for the two writers. Usually, it was Shayne who wrote the lyrics for their songs while Regney composed the music, as they did when they wrote a song based on the classic children's song "Rain Rain Go Away". Regney was inspired to write the lyrics "Said the night wind to the little lamb, 'Do you see what I see?'" and "Pray for peace, people everywhere" after watching babies being pushed in [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroller']strollers on the sidewalks of [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City']New York City. Shayne stated in an [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interview']interview years later that neither could personally perform the entire song at the time they wrote it because of the emotions surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis: "Our little song broke us up. You must realize there was a threat of war at the time". [URL unfurl="true"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_You_Hear_What_I_Hear%3F#Songwriting So, it's *not* "about the Cuban Missile Crisis." It was written *during* the Crisis with a plea for peace. A significant difference. Should we abandon "I'll Be Home for Christmas" because it's "about World War II"?

MisterPenguinDec 15, 2022

Bring him gifts of silver and gold. He will bring us goodness and light. It's a reference to the Magi who gave gifts of gold and followed the light of the star to the Light of the World. And Herod certainly didn't proclaim a new king who will bring goodness and light.

JohnDDec 15, 2022

Every time I hear, "Said the little boy to the mighty king, 'Do you know what I know?'", I want to say "Shut up!". The king is Herod and he wants the proclaimed Messiah dead. Why else would he murder all the firstborns around.

TouchdownDec 15, 2022

I didn’t hate the changes, mainly because adding Let there be Peace on Earth at the end was fantastic. However, if I was in charge I would ditch it’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Do you hear what I hear (which is about the Cuban Missile Crisis, look it up) and reseperate the Hallelujah Chorus and Joy to the World. This would also restore the Isaiah intro to Hallelujah.

CompedDec 15, 2022

Been creeping ever since One Solitary Man was removed, and the entire thing started getting shorter and shorter. Note it's different at Disneyland, more religious. Oddly enough, as you'd expect the reverse. Rare as it is...

JohnDDec 15, 2022

I'll give her that. She's entitled. Some extra magic for the guests that night.

DisneyDreamerxyzDec 15, 2022

Gloria Estefan lead the audience and choir to sing Feliz Navidad at the finale last night !!

JoelDec 07, 2022

"As Mary and Joseph gazed upon the sleeping baby Jesus, they wondered aloud how great this miracle child would be for their burgeoning YouTube channel."