Don’t miss the chance to reserve your spot at the ‘Holiday Inn,’ now at LaComedia Dinner Theatre thru Dec 29
Review: "Holiday Inn" at LaComedia Dinner Theatre now thru Dec 29
With all the amenities of a five star musical, Holiday Inn, is well worth checking in for. You won’t sleep a wink, but will be comforted by a very enjoyable performance. Tables in king or queen sizes are available. With a talented cast, dazzling dance moves, mesmorizing music, loads of laughs, and a lovable scene stealer, Irving Berlin’s ‘Holiday Inn’ is a must see.
Though light on Christmas content, it’s full of holiday cheer and merriment. (Is Die Hard really a Christmas movie?) Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, Valentine’s Day and Easter are among the holidays featured. All the action centers around Jim Hardy (Scott O’Brien), who steps out of a popular song and dance act to buy a farm in Connecticut. O’Brien excels in the role, he’s very endearing on stage. O’Brien embodies the everyman and has a magnificent voice.
He’s forced to farm alone, as the trio’s other two members; love interest, Lila Dixon (Emily Thamm-Avsyuk) and Ted (Sam Stickels) decide to continue in show business. Their careers continue to bloom, while Jim’s crops fail to grow. Thamm-Avsyuk is dynamic as the vivacious Lila and Stickels captures the fame seeking arrogance of his character.
Back at the farm, Jim meets Linda (Stephanie Garcia Ochs), a singer turned school teacher. Ochs has a voice as sweet as her demeanor.
It’s a stellar cast, all with soaring voices, but the best of shows has one character that rises everything to the next level. Their mere presence in a scene boosts the audience’s interest level. This show benefits greatly from Blair Elizabeth Godshall as Louise, the Ms. Fix It of the Inn. Godshall brings much hilarity, and speaks volumes with her facial expressions/phsyical mannerisms. Whether tap dancing with buckets on her feet or placing the star atop the tree, Godshall delivers entertainment to everything she does.
Another standout is Jacob Herr as Danny, the sleazy manager/agent of the song and dance act. Herr makes the most of every second he’s on stage and is so believable that I could smell his grime. Furthermore, Anderson Knee/Charlie Macpherson split time in delivering unwanted mail and snappy one-liners (licorice too) as Charlie.
The entire ensemble deserves recognition, particularly for their work resulting in one of the most high energy scenes ever created on the La Comedia stage. Lead by the talented ensemble there is jump roping, tap dancing and juggling. It’s exhausting, but mostly exhilarating to watch all the activity. The ensemble features Elliot Chilcote, Catie Cumings, Josh Ilan, Jack Preston Issler, Haley Iverson, Parker Lowrie, Naomi Quigley, and Mary Ann Sprague.
Storyline wise, with the farm in need of income Jim devises a plan to perform holiday themed shows at the Inn. However, when Ted shows up in town, Jim fears that his once best friend will again steal his girl. Love or fame? Country life or Hollywood? Happiness or despair? Just some of the choices the characters must face.
I always consider the Christmas show at La Comedia a two for one, as the traditional singing of ‘O Holy Night is a show within itself. It’s truly one of my favorite parts of the holiday season and this year is no different. Those still reeling over the election results, fear not as a woman has at least broken the glass ceiling at La Comedia. For the first time in La Comedia’s soon to be 50 year history, a woman does the honors of singing ‘O Holy Night. There’s no grating cackles, just a harmonious masterpiece that flows from Mary Ann Sprague’s voice. Sprague also looks as beautiful as she sounds, with a look as captivating as her voice. I would even nominate Sprague to serve another term as singer of the hymn.
Last, but certainly not least, the buffet offers more tasty sensations than a continental breakfast, without one of those annoying waffle makers, in which the waffle always sticks (at least for me).
Don’t miss the chance to reserve your spot at the ‘Holiday Inn,’ which should be called Holiday Suite, Holiday Hilton, Home 2 Holidays or something a little more luxurious to match the quality of the show.
More information & Reservations: Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn" at LaComedia Dinner Theatre
