Lansbury, who fills the shoes occupied last year by Julie Andrews, will star alongside returned co-star Christopher Plummer. Also scheduled to appear are pop singer Linda Ronstadt, and the former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson As with last year, the concert will feature the season's most popular songs and carols, holiday tales, as well as excerpts from the famed "Nutcracker" ballet. Stage veterans Lansbury and Plummer will serve, respectively, as the Mistress and Master of Ceremonies.

Billed as one of the "largest holiday extravaganzas ever produced," A Royal Christmas will also include London's Royal Festival Orchestra; the Westminster Concert Choir; the Westminster Bell Choir; principal and solo dancers from London's Royal Ballet, Winnipeg's Royal Ballet, Ukraine's Kyiv Ballet and the Shumka Dancers.

The tour begins Dec. 2 at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. For more information, consult www.royalchristmasfestival.ca.