Review: A SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS SHOW 2018 at Musical Theater Heritage

MTH once again lives up to its excellent reputation for producing delightful Holiday entertainment. The intimate space is deck out with all the appropriate Christmas lighting and special movable platforms made to look like huge individual gifts.

This year's production is created and written by Director Linda Ade Brand and Musical Director Mark Ferrell. Linda Ade Brand is a veteran Kansas City Director and performer whose full time gig is as Education and Community Engagement Director of Lyric Opera. Mark Ferrell is director of KU Opera and a coach at the KU Division of Voice and Opera.

Because of its creators, this show sometimes takes on the flavor of very good Grand Opera mixed along with all the traditional popular favorites. Former Grammy Winning Tenor David Adams leads the cast of eight. He has performed with some of the nation's finest opera companies. Sicily Mathenia comes to this cast from Lyric Opera's recent productions of West Side Story and Madama Butterfly. Samantha Agron is a familiar face from her roles at many musical theaters around Kansas City. Danielle Barger is familiar to MTH audiences from the recent "Showboat," Lawrence Opera Theater, Lyric Opera, and Cimarron Opera.

Jerome Johnson is a rich baritone who doubles in brass for this production as Santa Claus. He has six released CDs to his credit. Lexi Brie is a familiar face who is always a pleasure to see on Kansas City stages. Bob Wearing is a regular at MTH with at least five appearances up to now. Jon Rizzo makes his professional theater debut with this holiday spectacular.

"A Spectacular Christmas Show" at MTH Theater is absolutely worth your time and ticket price. The music is always awesome with unexpected touches that separate these performances from standard Christmas Concerts elsewhere. I am always impressed by the attention given by directors to stage movement, stage pictures, and actor focus and contact.

This show is re-invented for each new audience and every year should be part of your holiday tradition. "A Spectacular Christmas Show" continues through December 23. Tickets are available at www.MusicalTheaterHeritage.com or by telephone at 816-221-6987.

Photos courtesy of Musical Theater Heritage and J. Robert Schraeder

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