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Sick of The Nutcracker? Seen one too many Nativity scenes? Feeling Scroogey from all the animated-and-otherwise renditions of A Christmas Carol running rampant through your cable box? Well, never fear, because Musical Theater Heritage is here with something completely different—a night of holiday music, fun, and oodles of Christmas cheer.

The Off Center Theatre was transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with garland, twinkle lights, a huge glittering tree, and enough kitschy Christmas knickknacks to make the space feel like a big, warm family room. Unlike most typical family rooms, however, the scene also came with microphones, a piano, and ten talented musicians to deliver a program of Christmas music to a roomful of guests. Jeremy Watson took his position behind the piano as he has so many times for MTH productions, and was joined by four of Kansas City’s favorite singers: Lauren Braton, Grant Golson, Samantha Barboza, and Richard Gibson. Together (and with help from possibly the most adorable children’s mini-chorus in the city) they presented a program in two acts, not only singing our favorite Christmas tunes, but also providing the historical back-story for how these songs came to be part of our holiday vernacular.

The gang explained the influence of Jewish composer Johnny Marks on the Christmas season; he wrote some of the most classic songs, including “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” and many more; They explored the origins of the legend of Rudolph, why Leroy Anderson wrote Sleigh Ride, and recited the classic poem “The Night Before Christmas” describing how it launched many Christmas traditions in America. The hosts were engaging and funny. Even the corniest jokes were received with chortles from audience members, young and old.

The musical performances were excellent throughout. With Watson at the piano and the singers representing a tight SATB quartet, each song, from “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was pulled off with flair. Some of the best (out of the dozens of songs performed) were the jazzy a cappella rendition of “Carol Of The Bells,” Watson’s crowd-pleasing rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run,” and “Sleigh Ride,”—which was complete with percussion instruments, including the whip crack! The group sounded fabulous, blending perfectly whether singing sweet, tender harmonies, or hamming it up with cowboy hats and Elvis impersonations.

Fourteen-year-old Malena Marcase nearly stole the show each time she sang, with charisma and beautiful tone that will keep her on stage for many years to come. Brendan Hulla’s “Walking in the Air” was captivatingly sweet, and the children’s chorus had the audience in stitches with their medley about “gettin’ nuttin’” for Christmas, despite the fact that they wanted a hippopotamus, their two front teeth, and/or a hula hoop. But my favorite part of the whole show was the one bit that would not quit—hats off to director Sarah Crawford for the kids’ hilarious interjections of “This Is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Individual performances helped provide variety to the program, and highlighted the talents of each singer. Braton’s gorgeous, ringing soprano was chillingly lovely in the chant “Hodie” that solemnly opened the second act of the show. Golson’s sweet and wistful “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” certainly had out-of-towners reaching for their Kleenex, as did Barboza’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Gibson’s bass-baritone was consistently impressive throughout the evening, and he certainly had the crowd in tears of laughter with his impression of Johnny Cash. It was his “A Place Called Home,” however, that enveloped the audience during a segment of the show dedicated to American veterans.

Adults! Kids! Pets! Snowmen! Add this show to your Christmas calendar. It’s a truly spectacular evening you won’t want to miss, and it’s only around until December 18! 

REVIEW:
Musical Theater Heritage
A Spectacular Christmas
Runs December 1 through 18, 2011 (Reviewed December 3, 2011)
Off Center Theatre
2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 
For tickets call 816-842-9999 or visit http://www.mthkc.com 

Top Photo: Lauren Braton in MTH's A Spectacular Christmas (Photo by Manon Lee)

By Karen Hauge

Classical Contributor, Senior Editor

A native of New Jersey, Karen Hauge relocated to Kansas City in 2010 to attend UMKC in pursuit of her M.M. in flute performance. Since moving to Kansas City, Karen has been active as a performer within the Conservatory and as a music educator in the community, working with the Conservatory’s Community Academy of Music and Dance.

Karen earned a B.M. from the University of Delaware, where she studied music education with Suzanne Burton and Robert Streckfuss. During her time at Delaware, Karen was awarded several grants to fund an independent research project over the course of two years. The project and subsequent thesis, entitled “What Does It Mean To Be Musical?,” explored the ways in which people naturally interact with music in their everyday lives, and earned her a degree with distinction upon graduation. Karen has been active as a solo and chamber performer in Delaware, New York, and New Jersey. She has performed for world-renowned flute pedagogues such as Jeanne Baxtresser and Jeffrey Khaner, and has received honors for outstanding performance through her career at both the university and professional level. Her primary flute teachers have been Mardee Reed-Ulmer, Eileen Grycky, and Mary Posses. 

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