The name Trans-Siberian Orchestra may evoke feelings of Christmastime for some, while for others it might bring about thoughts of elaborate light shows and intricate music.

This year, some local musicians hope to bring about similar feelings of holiday cheer as they bring their own version of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's music to the area.

LivinTale is a group of kindred spirits united in the task of giving people a show that brings the elaborate performance level of TSO into a smaller frame.

Mark Meyer, guitarist and vocalist with the group, said they won't have a million-dollar stage setup like TSO does, but they've rigged some cool effects.

"We will have lights that are attached to certain equipment that measures the sound, and will operate to that signal," Meyer said. He said it will be synchronized with the band to enhance the show.

Submitted photo

The group may not have a full orchestra, but it plans on offering a similar, full sound.

"We'll play straight through until the story ends," Meyer said. "It's all Christmas music, yet it has many different styles within it."

LivinTale features Meyer on guitar and vocals, Bailey Schnurbusch on vocals, Michael Ruch on drums, Steve Miller on bass, Keia Wooldridge on piano and Whitney Terbrak on guitar.

LivinTale will perform in Cape Girardeau and Perryville, Mo. The Perryville show will be at 7 p.m. today at the Perry Park Center. The Cape Girardeau shows are spread out between three venues: at 9 p.m. Saturday at Dockside Upper Deck; 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at Pitter's Cafe and Lounge; and at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 at the Osage Centre. All shows are $6 and are all ages, except Pitter's, which is $7 for 21 and older and $9 for 18 to 20.

"It is a family-oriented event," Meyer said. "Everyone from little kids on up to great-grandma and grandpa can come."

LivinTale members Whitney Terbrak, Keia Woolridge, Mark Meyer, Michael Ruch and steve Miller pose for a photo shoot.

This is the first year for the group to take on this type of show, but Meyer and other members of the band have experience playing in the area.

"Steve, Michael and I played together throughout high school," Meyer said.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for nearly six years.

"Coming back during the Christmas season, I always went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra," he said. "It was always an uplifting feeling for me. I think everyone that's seen them understands what I'm talking about. It's enlightening."

Meyer said those feelings stuck in his mind, and from that, he wanted to create LivinTale to give people the same good feelings.

Ruch echoes Meyer's feelings. "I usually try to go see them every year, because when you come out after seeing them, it just feels more like Christmas."

When they made the decision to create LivinTale, Meyer said that there were some frustrations.

"We had more singers, but they had other priorities, or not enough time," Meyer said. "We don't have a violin or a cello; I couldn't find a violin."

Despite the lack of extra musicians, LivinTale plans on entertaining with precise execution. Meyer said that he is playing a lot of the violin parts on guitar.

"We don't have as many lights, we don't have as many members," Ruch said, "but I think really, truly, we get the essence of what Trans-Siberian does: The sound, the story, the lights ... I think we capture it, and that's what we're really going for."

The show is more than just the music of TSO, Meyer said.

"We're doing it in that story fashion," said Meyer, referring to how TSO has the music intertwined with a narrator. "We don't have a live narrator; therefore we've already recorded that stuff. I have it cued to play just when we need it to."

The storyline of this show is about angels, Meyer said.

"God sends angels to check out different places on Earth," he said. "It could involve various situations, like a battlefield or a pleasant time; lots of different situations you could have on Christmas Eve."

"To have it downtown is great, because it's family-oriented," said Chris Strode, owner of Dockside. "It's a great way to bring people together for the holidays.

"I remember the old time Christmas movies, with people shopping downtown, and Santa ringing his bell, and downtown is growing," Strode said. "It's going to bring a lot of people down and help the community down here."

Meyer said the group would like this to become an annual event, and hopes that the group will grow and evolve as time goes by.

Meyer and Ruch both are hopeful that after successful shows this season, next year may see musicians contacting them to be a part of things.

Ultimately, the group is all about the Christmas spirit.

"We want to get that Christmas cheer out there," Meyer said. "We want to enlighten people on the entire Christmas idea, and get it into their hearts and minds."

Pertinent addresses:

4 N. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO

813 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

1625 North Kingshighway St., Cape Girardeau, MO