You might not know her name but once you hear her voice, you’ll never forget Jaclyn McSpadden. The Georgia-born singer and entertainer is a veteran of Las Vegas Strip productions like Vegas! The Show, Baz, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and more, and she’s currently onstage at the Palazzo Theatre in This is Christmas, a holiday musical spectacular also starring standout voices from Broadway and American Idol and continuing through Dec. 26. McSpadden is also a regular at the glamorous Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio and a recurring guest star in the buzzed-about Brian Newman After Dark at the NoMad Library at Park MGM.

You’ve been blowing minds singing a unique cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” in Brian Newman’s late-night jazz show. What’s that experience been like?

He’s really sweet and yeah, he loves that one. But he’s always appreciated that sort of old Vegas style, and I knew that was a goal of his doing the show here. It’s that whole idea of the Las Vegas lounge, where people used to hang out until the wee hours, and I just love being there because it’s such a beautiful room. I didn’t realize at first that all those books are from the Rockefeller family’s personal library.

After Dark is coming back for some New Year’s Eve shows, too. There’s really nothing else like it on the Strip, anchored by Lady Gaga’s bandleader and trumpet whiz, with that style of music in an amazing environment.

I always tell people to make sure they take a nap ahead of time because it’ll probably go past 2 a.m.

This is Christmas was supposed to launch last year, but COVID restrictions tightened up and you weren’t able to get the show going.

It was disappointing, but all of us were really holding our breath during rehearsals, and we understood we were trying to do the impossible, putting together a show when nothing else was happening. But fortunately, the cast is almost identical from last year. We added Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young (from American Idol).

Obviously, it’s all about Christmas music, but what specifically can we expect in this show?

We’ve added a couple numbers from last year with Diana and Ace coming in, they do a “Christmas in Nashville” number. We’re doing an a capella piece and there are some excerpts from Scrooge: The Musical, in there as well. It’s a little bit of everything, some big production numbers and some individual solo numbers. I get to do “The Christmas Waltz,” always one of my favorites, and we close out with “Joy to the World,” the version from The Preacher’s Wife with the gospel choir.

You’re back in the same Palazzo Theatre where you once performed multiple roles in Baz, so that must be a nice homecoming.

(Broadway star) Randal Keith is in it, too, and he was from Baz. There are quite a few dancers and band members from that show that are in this, too. It’s a nice little reunion.

So, this show means you’ve been singing Christmas music for months now for rehearsals. Are you a big holiday person or more of a Grinch when it comes to celebrating early?

Let’s say I understand where people are coming from when they get Grinchy about the holiday playlist. But I was born and bred on Christmas music from a young age, so I enjoy it.

The Palazzo, 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster

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