American Coast Theater Company’s 2024, ‘Christmas Cabaret‘ is a delightful throwback to 1960s style holiday variety shows.
Rezia Landers and Luke Desmond in American Coast Theater Company’s ‘Christmas Cabaret’ on the campus of Vanguard University.
Just ending its run, American Coast Theater Company’s 2024, ‘Christmas Cabaret‘ is a delightful celebration of holiday cheer, combining festive songs, talented performances, and stunning design to create a memorable experience. Directed by Professor Susan K. Berkompas, who has led the Theatre Department at Vanguard University for 27 years, this holiday production brings warmth and joy to the Lyceum Theater.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the show is the ensemble’s performance of classic Christmas songs. The standard holiday tunes, including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” from ‘Meet Me in St. Louis‘ and the iconic “White Christmas,” from the Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye classic of the same name, were wonderfully executed. The vocals, along with Steven Amundson’s music direction and his accompaniment on the piano, added a layer of magic to the performance. The choreography, led by Logan Eliza and the ensemble, was seamlessly integrated into the production, enhancing the overall festive atmosphere. The costumes, designed by Lia Hansen, were classically festive, and the set, designed by Jim Huffman and Sarah Snow, created a visually stunning backdrop for the performance. Lighting by Nathan Gall further contributed to the warm, cozy ambiance, making it feel like the perfect holiday gathering.
Logan Eliza and Elijah Munck in American Coast Theater Company’s ‘Christmas Cabaret’ on the campus of Vanguard University.
The cast featured real-life couples—Luke Desmond and Rezia Landers, Logan Eliza and Elijah Munck, Leilani Munck and Micah Munck—adding a personal and intimate touch to the show. This family and friends approach made the performance feel like a throwback to the 1960s celebrity Christmas specials, such as ‘The Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra Family Christmas Show‘ from 1967. The connections between the performers were palpable, enhancing the charm and authenticity of the experience.
However, there were a couple of minor issues that slightly detracted from the performance. Logan Eliza, a soprano, had some challenges with her mic settings, which were too hot at times, causing her breathing to be audible even when she wasn’t singing. This became distracting, especially during backup vocals, where her mic would overpower the lead. Another song, “Never Date an Elf“, didn’t quite land for me. While humorous in parts, the song made light of male characters by having significant others complain about their mythical exes, which, detracted from the balance of the show. There’s a certain level of respect that should be maintained in relationships, and airing grievances about past partners—real or fictional—is unbearable.
Despite these small issues, the 2024, ‘Christmas Cabaret‘ at American Coast Theater Company is an exceptional production. It combines talented performers, beautiful design, and a sense of festive nostalgia that will leave audiences smiling.
The next production coming to the campus of Vanguard University will be ‘Footloose‘ running from February 20 to March 9, 2025.
Follow American Coast Theater Company and the Lyceum Theater on the campus of Vanguard University on Instagram @lyceumtheater.
For tickets visit https://vanguardtickets.com/.
Summary
Whether you’re a fan of classic Christmas songs or looking for a heartwarming, holiday-inspired show, American Coast Theater Company ‘Christmas Cabaret‘ is a delight.
