Review: Signature's Heartwarming CHRISTMAS WITH NOVA Y. PAYTON AND FRIENDS

Much like the lighting of the National Christmas Tree or the Boat Parade of Lights, Signature's holiday cabarets have become a welcome DC tradition. Fortunately for us, this year's edition stars the incomparable Nova Y. Payton in a heartwarming show that celebrates friends, family and the holiday standards we love.

Payton opened with a smooth and jazzy rendition of "Let It Snow." Accompanied by Music Director Darius Smith on piano, the classic instantly set the evening's intimate and relaxed tone.

In introducing the evening, Payton made light of the fact that to compensate for forgetting the lyrics to holiday songs, people often make up their own lyrics or mix-up verses. She then generated big laughs by swapping, mid-song, the male-female leads with Smith for the Dean Martin perennial "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

The evening took a poignant turn with "I believe In You And Me" and "Who Would Imagine A King" from the movie The Preachers Wife. Both songs allowed her to pay tribute to the late Whitney Houston, an artist who inspired her. Payton shared that one of her most treasured Christmas gifts was a pink boombox and a Houston cassette tape she received as a child.

Another artist who inspired her was the legendary Eartha Kitt. Payton spoke about meeting Kitt while she was in Broadway's Nine and how she didn't understand the lyrics of her next selection, "Santa Baby" until she was an adult. Her late-understanding of the song didn't stop Payton from giving a sultry rendition of Kitt's 1953 hit.

Throughout the evening, Payton spoke often about the importance of family and friends, including those theatergoers who have supported her career. There was a palpable connection with the audience, many of whom understood how in a transient area like DC, your friends become your family.

Payton then introduced her special guest Robert Person, someone she called a mentor. Together they rocked it with "This Christmas" and "You've Got A Friend In Me." Making the moment extra special was Payton's young son who briefly joined his mother onstage. The cabaret will feature different guest stars each night, and Payton hinted that they may even include Carolyn Cole and Sherri Edelen.

Of course, no holiday show would be complete without a sing-a-long. Assisted by Smith, Payton led the audience in "Frosty the Snowman", "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" and "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas." While the audience did go-up on several lyrics, Payton and Smith comically got them back on track. The sing-a-long made the cabaret feel less like a show and more like a giant holiday party with Payton as our host.

Finally, saving the best for last, Payton cut loose with a powerhouse rendition of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas." Like the angel on top of the Christmas tree, it was the perfect topping to a heartwarming evening with one of Washington's best vocalist.

Runtime is one hour with no intermission.

Christmas with Nova Y. Payton and Friends runs thru December 24th at Signature Theatre - 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206. For tickets please call (703) 820-9771 or click here.

Photo: Nova Payton. Credit: Signature Theatre.

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