It's the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," or so says the 13-member cast of American Music Theatre's "2009 Christmas Show."
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Yes, it's that time again. Across from the AMT parking lot on Lincoln Highway East, big signs at Rockvale Outlets proclaim "Seasons Greetings."
But do you feel it? Or, more importantly, will you feel it by the time you leave AMT's newest holiday production? Hold on to your humbug; I think you will.
After the familiar carols (I'm not willing to agree with the AMT program that "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is now traditional), offbeat song-and-dance numbers from around the world (check out dancer David Strobbe in drag doing the French cancan) and a visit to Toyland, complete with Santa, you're likely to feel a nip of holiday cheer.
If that's not enough of a gift, check out "Ave Maria" and other instrumental numbers by the amazing pianist Charles Ancheta and his five-man onstage band. I swear, he turns his own sheet music with one hand, conducts with the other hand and plays stunning piano with, um, his other two hands. It's a Christmas miracle!
The AMT regulars, including Wess Cooke, Randall Frizado, Michael Minor, Todd Mitchell, Michelle Mishler, Angela Birchett and Angela Walker, are on hand to tie a bow on numbers like "Grown-up Christmas List" (Birchett) and "Mary Did You Know?" (Cooke and Shannon Howard).
Sets by Randall Leipart include a painted Currier and Ives backdrop, a Good Witch-type character flown in on a giant wreath in the "Wizard of Oz"-esque Toyland segment, and a Swedish Chef bake-off complete with strobe light, silly string and whipped-cream pies in the face.
There's ballet, lots of tap and even step dancing, all choreographed by show creators and directors Curt Dale Clark and Marc Robin. It never fails to astound me how versatile everyone on stage seems to be. Singers dance. Dancers sing. Everybody does a little comedy.
I recognized a snowman costume and, of course, Michael Minor's ventriloquist-voiced moose dummy, Clarence, from previous Christmas shows. But everything is mostly shiny and new: the tuxedos, the glorious full-length gowns, the rapping elves and the audience members pulled on stage to limbo.
There's a wonderful a cappella version of "What Child Is This?" fronted by Todd Mitchell with a half dozen backup singers providing rhythmic vocals.
This year's show is all about reminding us that Christmas is for children. So isn't it lucky we're all children at this time of year? We just want to have fun, feel happy and get presents. Start by giving yourself a seat at the AMT Christmas show.
American Music Theatre's "2009 Christmas Show" runs through Jan. 3, 2010. For ticket information, visit AMTshows.com or call 397-7700.
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