Review: Desert Theatreworks Does Christmas Its Way by Channeling Frank Sinatra

Lance Phillips-Martinez, the artistic director of Desert Theatreworks (DTW), Palm Desert's 501(c)(3) community theatre, has chosen something different for the company's 2016 Christmas production. SINATRA: CHRISTMAS MY WAY is a sweet, light, feel-good cabaret simulation featuring Frank Sinatra's holiday music and a few silly jokes. It's a massive change from the usual community theatre holiday fare, but it's well-done and enjoyable. I may be the only person in the world who doesn't like Sinatra, and even I had a good time.

Todd Olson's book (such as it is) involves a group of singers rehearsing for a Las Vegas Frank Sinatra retrospective at the fictitious Glittering Sands casino. They describe the stories behind some of Sinatra's Christmas recordings and tell VERY corny jokes, some of them mildly risque, for example, a riddle asking the difference between snowmen and snow-women. (No, I don't intend to give away the punch line). Daniela Ryan, who does a fine job in her directorial role (assisted by Stephen Blackwell), wrote additional clever material to add two young characters and to update the jokes, including adding one about Justin Bieber and two reindeer.

Marcia Harp, an award winning performer and choreographer who has hosted her own radio show, is the only cast member with professional song and dance experience, but all of the cast members are experienced community theatre musical performers. All six cast members hold their own in the dance numbers (choreographed by Heidi Hapner, who also designed the makeup and hair), including in a Rockette-like kick line. However, young teen Angus Feath, who is one heckuva tap dancer as well as an accomplished singer, deserves special kudos for his moves. The adult men (Mark Demry and Allan Jensen) display smooth baritone voices, while the women (Ms. Harp, Alma Lacy, and Christine Michele) sure know how to belt. Brian Alec Thom provides fine musical direction and piano accompaniment, as well as demonstrates his own comic chops.

Ron Phillips-Martinez, DTW's chief executive officer and producer, designed the set, which, in Act I, consists of drab covered furniture, but blossoms in Act II into festive combinations of glittering blue and white lights and fabrics. Phil Murphy's lighting design enhances the set and Priscilla Lawson's lovely costumes by making everything appear to change color magically.

The only figurative sour note in SINATRA: CHRISTMAS MY WAY is that, in my opinion, the book mines too many of its laughs from Sinatra's womanizing, smoking, and excessive drinking. In the 1950's those subjects were funny, but today some of the jokes seem stale. Nonetheless, I found the spoof of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," complete with cartoons about those topics, to be so clever that I laughed despite myself.

I recommend this production for teens on up. Young adults will probably miss many of the inside references, such as the term "hey hey," but they'll probably enjoy the music, the dancing, and the silly jokes. After seeing this show, older audience members will probably go home, put their Sinatra Christmas vinyls on the 1980's turntable, and wax nostalgic for Ole Blue Eyes.

SINATRA: CHRISTMAS MY WAY will run through December 18, 2016. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

All of DTW's performances take place at the Arthur Newman Theatre, in the Joslyn Senior Center, 73-750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert CA, 92260. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dtworks.org, in person at the Joslyn Center, and by phone at 760-980-1455. General admission is $28, senior admission (ages 55+) is $26, and student admission (with i.d.) is $15. Season tickets for three shows are $72. A package of six flex tickets, which can be used for any show during the season, up to a total of six tickets per package, are $144. Tickets for groups of 8-19 attendees are $22 each. Tickets for groups of twenty or more are $19 each. For further information, call the box office at 760-980-1455.

The rest of DTW's 2016-17 season consists of:

45 SECONDS FROM BROADWAY, by Neil Simon (January 27 to February 5, 2017)
The coffee shop at the Edison Hotel is literally about 45 seconds from Broadway, but it seems likes miles for the employees looking for their big break.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (March 9-19, 2017)
A theatre fan listening to the cast album of a 1920's Broadway musical finds himself in the middle of the story and becomes involved in the show's shenanigans.

NEXT TO NORMAL (April 21-30, 2017)
The musical about the perfect family - or not - that won the Pulitzer Prize and three Tony awards.

For information on DTW's educational programs, including KidsWorks, an upcoming, tuition-free program for those under 18, see www.dtworks.org. A Broadway World article on KidsWorks can be found at www.broadwayworld.com/palm-springs/article/BWW-Feature-Desert-Theatreworks-Plans-KidsWorks-a-Training-Program-for-Children-20160823.

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