RSS 2.0 FeedNovember 30, 2011, Theatre
Magical, musical Christmas celebration
Quality Hill Playhouse's "Christmas in Song" is a charming musical start to the holidays. Vocalists Molly Hammer, LaTeesha McDonald Jackson, and Lindsey McKee joining pianist and musical director J. Kent Barnhart for a program of both traditional and contemporary Christmas music.
The Christmas season is here, and the musical events are lining up to fill the holidays with tuneful cheer. Rolling up to the starting gate is the Quality Hill Playhouse traditional “Christmas in Song.” This audience favorite opened on November 18, with vocalists Molly Hammer, LaTeesha McDonald Jackson, and Lindsey McKee joining pianist and musical director Kent Barnhart for a program of both traditional and contemporary Christmas music.
“Christmas in Song” follows Barnhart’s tradition of mixing the meditative and amusing Christmas fare. The opening set included “Ave Maria,” “Gesu Bambino,” “Carol of the Bells,” and an arrangement of “The First Noel” set over the Pachelbel Canon in D, with Jackson and McKee in a lovely duet.
The ladies and Barnhart singing together provided some of the concert’s best moments. Led by soloist Molly Hammer, the ensemble hit its stride in “Light a Candle,” early in the program, and an exciting arrangement of “Joy to the World” highlighted their strengths as an ensemble.
The final three numbers of the program’s first half featured each of the singers in a piece that showed off their particular vocal talents. Hammer’s “Grown-Up Christmas List” was gently jazzy and heartfelt. Jackson skillfully rendered a beautiful but unusual setting of Psalm 27 by Michael J. Criss and Steve Rue, while McKee filled the room with the ringing tones of “O Holy Night.” She was joined in the final verses by the others in complex and beautiful harmony.
Barnhart opened the second half with the arrangement of “Jingle Bells” by Charles Lindberg. He set the keys on fire in this familiar piece, a virtuosic showcase that garnered the biggest response of the night from the appreciative audience. This set the tone for the Tom Lehrer comic “A Christmas Carol” and William Bolcom’s “Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise,” with McKee at her comic best as a sort of demented Dame Edna at the church social.
The strongest segment in the second half came with all of the soloists around the piano singing some of the traditional favorites. McKee’s most touching moments were in “Christmas Auld Lang Syne,” which gave her the opportunity to really caress the notes of the song. Jackson’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and Hammer’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” were also special moments in this lyrical and sentimental portion of the program.
"Christmas in Song" is a charming musical opening to the holidays. It will remind you of what you love best about the songs you know so well, and introduce you to some tunes that may become new favorites.
REVIEW:
Quality Hill Playhouse
Christmas in Song
Reviewed Sunday, November 20, 2011. Runs through December 24
Quality Hill Playhouse
303 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO
For tickets, information, and show times: call 816-421-1700 or visit www.qualityhillplayhouse.com
Top Photo: "Christmas in Song" cast
Classical and Musical Theatre Contributor
Sarah Young is a freelance writer and performer in opera, theatre, choral and musical theatre. She has been seen locally with Wichita Grand Opera, Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Kansas City Civic Opera, Lawrence Community Theatre, Chestnut Fine Arts Center and in other local venues. She studied voice at the University of Kansas, and has been trained in artist programs at Indiana University, Aspen Opera Theatre and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
All material contained in KCMetropolis.org is the property of or licensed for use by KCMetropolis.org. Any use, duplication, or reproduction of any or all content of this publication is prohibited except with the express written permission of KCMetropolis.org or the original copyright holders.