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Kurt Bestor has a new home for the holidays. The composer-instrumentalist has moved his popular Christmas show from Abravanel Hall, its home of 28 years, to Salt Lake City's just-opened George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater a couple of blocks away.

Bestor has already performed in the new hall, conducting the orchestra that accompanied Rita Moreno, Brian Stokes Mitchell and others at the grand-opening gala in October. There's an important difference this time: He'll get to face his audience.

"It will feel like I'm a lot more close to people," he said. "At Abravanel, looking at the last row [from the stage], it seems like from Salt Lake to Sandy." The Eccles' main performance hall is built on a European-style model — up, not out — so the rear wall is a mere 98 feet from the stage. "It will give me a chance to really chat with people," the gregarious composer noted.

Performing on a proscenium stage opens other possibilities as well. Bestor might not have the budget for the Taylor Swift-inspired extravaganza of his dreams, but he will have access to more lighting effects than in the past, and because the new building has a flyloft, he'll be able to bring in scrims and backdrops. He's hired Matt Endicott, who has worked with popular acts such as Lower Lights and Kaskade, as his production coordinator. Eight video panels across the back of the stage will display close-ups and abstract images in a way Bestor hopes will complement, rather than distract from, the music. He has written a handful of new carol arrangements — including "Star Carol," in honor of the twinkling star field built into the auditorium's ceiling — and tweaked several more.

Soprano Genevieve Christianson, tenor Dallyn Vail Bayles and boy soprano Peter Lyddall will join the 22-piece band on about half the numbers. "My show is an instrumental show," Bestor said, "but I always like to bring in voices — not mine; I'm the composer." He'll make one exception this year, singing his signature song "Prayer of the Children." Otherwise, "I'll conduct, tell jokes, kind of quarterback the evening." He also will play piano, trumpet, flugelhorn and penny whistle.

Bestor, who was on the committee that helped select the Eccles' architect, is excited for fans to check out the new venue as well. "The hall is such a cool place to wander around, I'm just hoping they come back after intermission." —

New home for the holidays

Kurt Bestor presents the 29th edition of his Christmas show.

Where • Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main, Salt Lake City

When • Thursday, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16 and 17, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m.

Tickets • $25-$52.50 plus fees; artsaltlake.org