Garden Theatre Opens A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE Tonight

 The Garden Theatre has announced the Florida premiere of the holiday musical A Christmas Survival Guide, showing tonight, November 30  - December 16, 2012.

 

Written and conceived by New York City-based Broadway producers Ray Roderick and James Hindman with music arrangements by John Glaudini, A Christmas Survival Guide is a comical musical revue of holiday songs including popular parodies, traditional classics, and everything in between. In a series of unfortunate situations, a cast of characters must search beyond The Common hustle and bustle for the true essence of Christmas.

 

Producers Roderick and Hindman bring one of their musicals the Garden Theatre for the second time, after co-producing The Bikinis: A New Musical Beach Party with the Garden Theatre last season. Roderick visited Winter Garden in September to take part in casting the musical.

 

The cast of five includes local professionals Caroline Drage, Amy Martin Cole, Sarah Lee Dobbs, Kevin Kelly, and Alex Mrazek. Caroline Drage returns to the Garden Theatre after starring as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors last season. She was awarded "Best Female Performer" at Orlando Fringe Festival for that role. Amy Martin Cole has performed at Walt Disney World for over 25 years including with the Voices of Liberty. Sarah Lee Dobbs returns to the Garden Theatre stage after performing in Noises Off in 2010 and as an England native has acted extensively including in London’s West End. Kevin Kelly is returning to the Garden Theatre after having performed in Forever Plaid and The Musical of Musicals: The Musical. Alex Mrazek to return to the Garden Theatre after performing in A Christmas Carol, with previous work with Universal Studios, Sleuths, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orlando Fringe, and Sea World.

 

A Christmas Survival Guide is directed by Keith Smith, who has performed in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Noises Off and The Foreigner. With over 25 years of theatre credits in production, acting and directing, this will be first time Smith will direct a show at the Garden Theatre. Music Director John Mason rejoins the Garden Theatre as the co-music director/pianist for The Bikinis: A New Musical Beach Party.

 

The New York Post has called A Christmas Survival Guide, "Ho-Ho Hilarious! By far the funniest Christmas revue around!" AtEase CN1 Newspapers said, "If one is tired of trying to get through the endless lines to see "A Christmas Carol", the light and lively "Christmas Survival Guide" is a low key and heartwarming way to take your mind off the holiday crush!"

 

Performances are tonight, November 30 - December 16, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and are available 24/7 at www.gardentheatre.org or by calling the box office at 407-877-GRDN (4736).