Buffalonians must have been very nice, not naughty, this year. Because we have the best Holiday Pops show this weekend in Kleinhans Music Hall.

Honest, it is the best I have seen in 10 years. It is packed with fun and frolic and strikes just the right balance between religious and not religious, Christmas and Hanukkah, classical and pop, you name it. Buffalo Philharmonic Music Director JoAnn Falletta is conducting the show and all I can think is, she should have begun conducting it a long time ago. It is terrific.

Falletta and the BPO have a variety of stellar guests. They are led by Broadway singer and actress Michele Ragusa and Williamsville crooner John Stevens, of “American Idol” fame. Packing a wallop are the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and the angelic Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus, as well as Neil Garvey, who makes a wonderful Victorian Santa.

All together, they make quite a tableau. Everyone is in sparkly red and black, and things got so crowded that the Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus had to jam themselves in on the stage’s left-hand side. Stevens had to thread his way through them, smiling embarrassedly, on his way to sing “The Christmas Song.” It was all so much fun.

Ragusa is tremendous. She is a real pro — fresh from Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein,” Falletta announced. You can see what Mel Brooks would love about her — she’s a born comedian, funny and natural, with a clear voice that carries and allows you to catch every word. She sang a pop song called “Hanukkah Lights” and a great old novelty number, “The Man with the Bag,” meaning Santa.

Stevens is a perfect foil for her. Cute and cherubic — his face looks like one of those mischievous angels from a European cathedral — he knows enough to let Ragusa be the star and simply be his fine self. They sang “White Christmas” together, an arrangement by Capitol Records’ legendary Carmen Dragon, and it was the sweetest thing.

A couple of snazzy jazz arrangements by Buffalo’s own Phil Sims lent newness to the proceedings. Sims’ take on “The Christmas Song” was the jazziest thing I think I have ever heard the BPO tackle. It had a big-band sound and a relaxed bop feel and the beginning actually threw you off, it was that clever and well-crafted. Stevens sang it with unself-conscious charm.

An ingenious take on “The Twelve Days of Christmas” took you through music history, from Gregorian chant through Vivaldi through Wagner through . . . sorry, I don’t want to give it away, it’s that entertaining. The Philharmonic Chorus should be commended for its great job on that. The “Hallelujah Chorus” had strength and presence.

Garvey did a great job with “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The concert struck a good balance all around—classical and pop, religious and lighthearted, jazz and classical.

Even the sing-along at the end was better than normal. Ragusa and Stevens, adorably, led from the stage. The Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus kids were stationed in the aisles. Everyone sang. You should hear it, a whole hall singing “Hark, the Herald.”

Perhaps Falletta could be very nice and lead this concert again next year! Meanwhile, there are two more performances: tonight at 8, and Sunday at 2:30 p. m

Concert Review

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

Holiday Pops concert Friday evening in Kleinhans Music Hall. Repeats at 8 tonight and 2:30 p. m. Sunday.