FAST FIVE The musical Family Shotwell

Meet the Shotwell Family — Jenny, Dalton, Clark and Skye — who are residents of Dalton Gardens.

If you were to visit their house at any given time, you would very likely be subjected to a bombardment of live music from somewhere in the house. Between Jenny’s daily vocal and piano lessons, preparation for music at church each Sunday, the frequent tickling of the keys by both Clark and Skye on one of their pianos and the thunderous drumming of Dalton out in their workshop, music is almost a constant presence in their lives.

They are thrilled to be the performers in this year’s Christmas cabaret, "The Sound of Christmas," hosted at The Resort in downtown Coeur d’Alene and produced by Ellen Travolta.

1) How excited are you all to perform in "The Sound of Christmas" at The Coeur d'Alene Resort with Ellen Travolta as your producer?

Skye: REALLY excited.
Jenny: Very excited! Nervous and excited. That’s how I feel with every performance. I’ve always said that I will NEVER skydive because I think performing offers the same unique thrill without a looming fear of death! In all seriousness, we’re honored to bring this show to Coeur d’Alene. We’re flattered with the trust and creative license we have been given. Performing as an entire family is completely new to us, so with that comes some unique nerves and uncertainties — it most definitely will be exciting!
Clark: I am very excited to do this but it’s pretty stressful. Although, it’s something that I really love doing. I’m most excited about the storytelling.
Dalton: This opportunity is quite exciting for me because I get to perform with my entire family on stage for the first time. This summer Jenny and Clark had lead roles in Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre’s production of "The Secret Garden" while Skye and I looked on with proud admiration from the seats, but now we get to hop up on stage to join Jenny and Clark, and as a proud husband and father it really couldn’t be a better experience for me — I just have to make sure I hold up my end of the performance too!

2) What are a few things you enjoy about being in a live show?

Jenny: I have always loved being in front of an audience. There’s really nothing else like it. You can feel the energy in the room, and you can feel when you’re really connecting with an audience. Every night really is very different, so even though you’re performing the same show night after night, it never feels the same.
Clark: The laughter and the cheer of the audience when we perform. Sometimes there are really excited audiences and sometimes they’re a little boring (so … every audience is different).
Skye: This is my first show!
Jenny: Skye has performed in a talent show, a couple recitals and at her church but this is her first BIG gig. At the ripe ol’ age of 6.
Dalton: Without a doubt, there is something uniquely special and thrilling about the energy of a live audience. I’ve always told Jenny that my No. 1 musical desire in life has always been to have a chance to play drums with a band for a crowd of 10,000 fans who all know the music, just so that I can feel from the receiving end the intense positive energy that emanates from that kind of environment. But even in the more intimate setting of this Christmas cabaret, there will be beautiful nostalgic warm Christmas energy that we will feel on stage. From the stage, feeling the energy of the audience simply never gets old.

3) What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
Jenny: Growing up I would go crawl in bed with my sister each Christmas morning. We were forbidden to go downstairs until my mom had made her coffee! It was torture — but it made the anticipation that much more — well… exciting! Now I like to pass on the same torture to my kids. Do not come out of your room until my coffee is ready (and a mimosa). I also just love to sit in the dark and listen to music right next to the Christmas tree, it’s my favorite. Every Christmas Eve I watch "It’s a Wonderful Life" while wrapping presents. I cry every single time "Auld Lang Syne" starts at the end.
Clark: Well, I really love the tradition of watching "The Polar Express" on Christmas Eve and reading "The Night Before Christmas." Before we watch the movie, we go to church to sing carols and hymns. I also love putting up the Christmas tree. It takes me forever to fall asleep on Christmas Eve.
Skye: Getting the tree.
Jenny: Is that all?
Skye: No! Getting the presents! Opening the presents!
Dalton: On Christmas Eve each year as a kid we usually went to my aunt and uncle’s house with the rest of my dad’s side of the family, and my Uncle Tom would at some point gather me and my brothers and cousins around in front of the fireplace and he would read "'Twas the Night before Christmas" to us. He has a wonderful radio-style voice and a twinkle in his eye, and the memory of each time he read that story to us through the years will always be one of my very favorites. So now I try to continue that tradition with my own children on Christmas Eve. Unless we’re performing somewhere …

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Jenny: This isn’t a surprise to my students, but I love "The Wizard of Oz." I have a huge collection and a ruby slipper tattoo on my foot. I was also a big winner on "Wheel of Fortune" back in 2007 — true story!
Clark: I’m also really into gymnastics — I’ve almost mastered my backflip on the ground.
Skye: I don’t really know what this means!
Dalton: I used to beatbox for an a cappella group, and I love baseball so much that I have all 30 Major League Baseball team hats hanging on my wall, hung in accordance with the most recent standings throughout the season. My son’s name even comes from my favorite baseball player of all time.

5) What are you hoping Santa will bring you this year?
Jenny: Maybe a little rest? Ha! Actually, a couple days of watching Christmas movies with cozy blankets and a fire would be perfect for me.
Clark: I really want a hoverboard and a VR set.
Jenny: That’s not happening.
Skye: I really want a "Wizard of Oz" doll, and I want a high school fashion doll.
Dalton: The complete 2024 Major League Baseball card set. Did I mention I love baseball?

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Do you know someone in Kootenai County who makes our community awesome? Send Fast Five suggestions to Devin Weeks, dweeks@cdapress.com, to highlight locals who contribute their time and talents to make North Idaho such a special place.