Chita Rivera withdraws from the Candlelight Processional

Posted: Thursday December 5, 2019 4:05pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Chita Rivera has pulled out of the narrator line-up for the 2019 Candlelight Processional due to health reasons and will be replaced by Alton Fitzgerald White.

The Candlelight Processional at Epcot

Part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, the Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas with a 50-piece orchestra, a massed choir and a celebrity narrator. The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre.

Ming-Na Wen Candlelight Processional 2019

Here is the revised line-up:

Ming-Na Wen - 11/29-12/1
Neil Patrick Harris – 12/2-12/5
Whoopi Goldberg – 12/6-12/7
Isabella Rossellini - 12/8-12/10
Alton Fitzgerald White - 12/11 - 12/12
Gary Sinise – 12/13-12/15
Pat Sajak – 12/16-12/18
Warwick Davis - 12/19-12/21
Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/22-12/24
Edward James Olmos – 12/25-12/26
Marlee Matlin - 12/27-12/28
Lisa Ling – 12/29-12/30

Discuss on the Forums

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TouchdownDec 11, 2019

Saw Isabella Rossalini tonight, she did a fantastic job and you could tell how happy she was to be there, I just love when performers show their joy. Also, I don’t care what anyone else thinks Candlelight is the best thing Disney does all year long.

wdwmagicDec 06, 2019

Replacements here https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/candlelight-processional/news/06dec2019-warwick-davis-pulls-out-of-candlelight-processional.htm

LilofanDec 06, 2019

Chita Rivera pulled out due to health issues. Now Warwick Davis is not coming. I'm sure there are some back ups standing by.

MisterPenguinDec 06, 2019

The question is... will anyone notice?

surfsupdonDec 06, 2019

Still one of my favorite shows, despite who the host is. But I agree....no Christmas Holiday tag after the new fireworks show is a pretty big let down.

Tony the TiggerDec 06, 2019

The ol’ Davis switcheroo!

LeeADec 06, 2019

I’ve had an email from Disney to say that Warwick Davis has been replaced with Geena Davis on 21st December. I was looking forward to seeing Warwick but I’m sure Geena will be great too.

wdwmagicDec 05, 2019

Chita Rivera withdraws from the Candlelight Processional https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/candlelight-processional/news/05dec2019-chita-rivera-withdraws-from-the-candlelight-processional.htm

wdwmagicDec 02, 2019

PHOTOS - Ming-Na Wen opens the 2019 Candlelight Processional at Epcot https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/candlelight-processional/news/02dec2019-photos---ming-na-wen-opens-the-2019-candlelight-processional-at-epcot.htm

peter11435Nov 30, 2019

They will have time to reload for NYE. There will be additional hardware available by the 4th.

CrazydisneyfanlukeNov 30, 2019

Didn't Disney say last year that it was the final holiday tag? They did not say the same about NYE or 4th, but with the changes being made around World Showcase and the lagoon, I wouldn't be surprised if they just did a simple count down into EF. Harmonious might be up and running for the next 4th, so they may do something then.

iMaxNov 30, 2019

4th and NYE, but it looks like the NYE tag is staying, but why not keep the Holiday tag.

TouchdownNov 30, 2019

I think that’s a mistake not having a tag, especially with a brand new ride at DHS. I foresee a sizable migration of guests after seeing Candlelight choose to go to DHS to ride of ROTR at the end of the day.