Jennifer Hudson shines at Christmas concert to share Christmas album ‘Gift of Love,’ at Kings Theatre, Brooklyn

The bellowing voice of Jennifer Hudson filled the ornate walls of Brooklyn Kings Theater with songs from her first Christmas album, “Gift of Love,” a compilation of lovable holiday tunes and familiar hits that brought the audience to its feet.

The Nov. 24 concert — An Intimate Live Experience by the EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony winner- was enchanting and magical. Despite a late start, Hudson, a former contestant on the hugely popular musical contest American Idol, wearing a shimmering green gown, lit up the stage in a glowing moment that excited the audience.

Accompanied by a grand symphony orchestra and backup singers, the artist’s melodious voice thrilled the enthusiastic crowd with “Oh Holy Night,” “Make it to Christmas,“ “Joy to the World,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Christmas Song,“ and “Jingle Bells,” among others. She put her own creative spin on the classics, much to the delight of the almost sold-out crowd.

The host of the successful daytime Jennifer Hudson Show paused during sets throughout the two-hour concert to have conversations with fans. She shared that as a little girl, she was ignored in church when she wanted to sing a solo. “I would put up my hand and say I would like to sing, but I would be ignored. Nobody wanted to hear me sing.”

She then invited the audience to sing along by saying. Can I get a Yeahhh… ohhhhh, for a captivating interaction, and reaction from the crowd.

Her charming, sweet-toned vocals at times brought a lull as admirers listened with rapt silence as she pulled huge notes of the gospel hits “Jesus Christ is King” and “Hallelujah.”

The mesmerizing singer shared her sadness at losing family members and how her son, 15-year-old Daniel, helped to choose some of her performance songs. She also included contributions by her new boyfriend, Common, whose award-winning voice filled the theatre with a Christmas narration to open the show. He also pitched in to make some holiday magic happen on her new Christmas album.

The delightfully charming artist used the entire stage, moving from side to side for a magnetic performance. She eventually stepped into the audience and was immediately surrounded by fans, who posed for selfies with the artist.

After making her way along the aisle, the inspiring vocalist, for more than 15 minutes, posed for pictures and stopped to shake hands with many fans. She also sang happy birthday to a gentleman, who held a hand over his heart as the chanteuse belted out the melody while others shouted, “We love you.“

Aretha Franklin, who had said that Jennifer Hudson would win an Oscar for playing her, would have been proud to hear the soloist’s rousing performance. The soloist’s voice mirrors that of the Queen of Soul, especially with the renditions of Respect and Natural Woman. She also sang her chart-topper, “Spotlight.”

The iconic singer sometimes reached out to concertgoers to accept flowers and gifts as she sang her heart out. She then moved to the left side of the stage and again stepped into the audience for treasured, thrilling moments with fans.

Hudson, a Chicago native who, after being voted off American Idol, went on to win an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls, a Daytime Emmy for her virtual-reality venture Baba Yaga, and a Tony for  Best Producer of the Best Musical “A Strange Loop, wowed with the song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going“ for a spectacular ending to the one-night-only “The Gift of Love”- an intimate live experience, she said she wanted to bring to her fans in Brooklyn.

Her audience was satisfied. They came out in their finest Christmas attire, almost packing the 3,000-seat capacity space, and were wowed by the songstress.

The only thing that was missing was a welcome by elected officials. They missed a historic opportunity to greet the highly decorated entertainer and present her with a Proclamation for her stellar contributions and unforgettable, fantastic concert in Brooklyn.