​A lovely display of white-lit trees nestled in fluffy snowbanks with snowflakes projected on the wall greeted the audience as we enjoyed preshow music by John Dale Smith at the keyboard with his accomplices Tim Thelen (drums) and Justin Valla (acoustic bass) to get us in the mood for the refreshing, festive Holiday/Winter smorgasbord of song and dance that is Riverwalk Theatre’s HOLIDAY CABARET. It’s has a mix of humor and heart that will entertain all ages.

Director and music mastermind Meghan Eldred-Woolsey has put together an interesting variety of songs — some from musical theatre such as Mame, Frozen, Elf the Musical, The Fantasticks, The Sound of Music and White Christmas — and about half new to me— but all celebrating the holidays and winter. Karyn Perry’s dancers demonstrated a very wide variety of dance styles from disco to tap, to modern/dramatic, to Rockette style, with a fun variety of costumes, too. 

Among many highlights were Travis Williams’ spirited turn as Olaf the Snowman dreaming of “In Summer.” Robert Mueller brought an extra dose of energy to all his songs, including “Try to Remember” (it does mention “December” so it’s fair game!) Songs ranged from the humorous “Nobody Cares about Santa” by all the men, and Adam Woolsey’s fun “I’m Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica” to Tricia Rogers mournful “Christmas Makes me Cry” and Katheryn Mulcahy’s heartfelt, powerful “Christmas Lullaby” by Jason Robert Brown. Favorites like Silver Bells and Auld Lang Syne are also on the bill.

The entire ensemble is packed with talent and features many “stars” you’ve seen before on the Riverwalk stage: Erin Biel, Larissa Gleason-Clark, Aja Jenks, Kelley Lofton, Robert Mueller, Kathryn Mulcahy, Bob Purosky, Tricia Rogers, Travis Williams, and Adam Woolsey. Choreographer Karyn Perry’s talented dancers were Sarah Albrecht, Olivia Carpenter, Grace Chapman, Kendall Craddock, Savannah Himebaugh, Audrey Huhn, Kennedy Kirsch, Natali Mann, Frankie Nevin, Kyra Pohl and Laney Soupal.

The Cabaret is about an hour and a half (with intermission). ONLY TWO MORE CHANCES to see this charming show - 7pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday. $15 for all ages; general seating; tickets available at the door and at http://www.riverwalktheatre.com

Arrive early for best parking and to explore the lobby art gallery. You may also bring items for the lobby box collecting items for Holy Cross Services to the homeless: travel size toiletry products, period products, diapers etc... and new, packaged socks and underwear — as well as gently used outerwear, such as coats, hats, scarves and mittens.

We arrive on Christmas Eve, 1947, to a set reminiscent of an old fashioned radio (Kirk A. Domer.) It's a studio set up for four musicians and chairs set up for the radio actors, beside a fully stocked “Foley” sound effects table in readiness for the annual rendition of A Christmas Carol— but the only one who can make it through the snow to the WXMS studio is Bob Bennett, the sound-effects guy who lives within walking distance. 

Disaster? No, we are in luck, as “Bob” (Aral Gribble) is more than up to the task, taking on all the roles (as well as the sound effects.) With an understated glee, he connects with the audience and his supporting sound/light lady in the booth. Bob Bennett is a fully realized character who frames the other classic characters he becomes. 

This is not a wacky, slapstick portrayal; this is Bob Bennett on top of his game. It’s a great choreography to integrate all the sound effects and fun to see how they are made. There is a temptation to close your eyes and experience this like a real radio show — but we don’t want to miss Aral’s face and posture as he metamorphoses into Scrooge, Marley, Bob Cratchit, the ghosts, and characters in the ghosts’ stories. 

This is a short show — about 80 minutes with no intermission. It is a tribute to the classic story and a impressive acting demo of one actor successfully becoming a full cast. Kudos to director, John Lepard, who may have imparted some of the multi-character magic from his one-man It’s a Wonderful Life to Aral.

A Christmas Carol: the Radio Show runs through December 22 
It was sold out — so make your reservations soon 517-655-SHOW (7469)
http://www.williamstontheatre.org

ALADDIN is a true spectacle at Wharton Center. Ken Glickman (http://glickarts.blogspot.com) had interviewed for the State Journal and told me the show took 30 trucks and two weeks to set up — not surprising since the many magic effects and spectacular set changes were above and beyond, even for a Wharton show. I don’t want to describe too much, to ruin the surprise factors - but I will report that even with binoculars, I could not see anything supporting that flying carpet. Disney Magic!

The dancing was a wonderful middle-eastern melange — and the dance with the swords counted as fight choreography, too! There is no “choreographer” listed, that I could find. Director is Thomas Schumacher and “Dance Supervisor” is Michael Mindlin. Kudos to the creators and dancers alike who delighted us with jazz and pizazz. The many costumes were dazzling, too —designed by Gregg Barnes. 

Jonah Ho’okano is the quintessential Aladdin, leading-man-handsome with a boyish innocence and generosity despite being a “street rat” and a thief at the beginning of the show — and an amazing singer/dancer. Likewise, Kaenaon Alani Kekoa as Jasmine was the quintessential modern Disney princess, feisty and adventurous as well as beautiful, and another great singer — and not taking the advice of her frustrated but benevolent father, the Sultan (Jerald Vincent). 

Korie Lee Blossey brought his own style and sass to the fast-talking, flamboyant, wish-granter Genie;You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Mewas a show-stopper. His fabulous voice, magical charm and showmanship energized the entire show. Comedy was liberally injected by the dastardly duo of haughty Jafar (Jonathan Weir) and his adorably vicious, wisecracking sidekick Iago (Reggie De Leon). Aladdin’s three friends from the “street rat” scene were wonderful accomplices, as a trio and as distinct characters, each bringing the funny in his own way, Zach Bengal, Ben Chavez and Colt Prattes — great dancers, too. 

Aladdin is a fresh, fabulous, glittering treat for the whole family. It continues through December 15. Tickets at https://www.whartoncenter.com