For anyone who enjoys seasonal music, Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash! is a “don’t miss” event on the community’s holiday calendar. The lively music and witty dialogue, reminiscent of Sinatra and his Rat Pack pals, are sure to spark fond memories of happy times while putting listeners in a festive state of mind.
This swinging spin on holiday classics is presented by Sea Glass Stage Company at Coligny Theatre December 12-22 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at sgstage.org/tickets.
Directed by Alex Clark, with Robert Adams as musical director, the cast features four very talented performers who rehearsed their tight harmonies for weeks. Amy Barlett, Sarah Clemmons, Mark Erickson, and John Gass intersperse their vocals with classic puns, bad jokes, and friendly put-downs.
Audiences will enjoy unforgettable hits like “The Christmas Song,” “Silver Bells,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” along with dozens of other Sinatra favorites, including the iconic “My Way.”
This production was selected for the first Sea Glass holiday offering because of the appeal of the music – and of Sinatra.
The cast of Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash, onstage December 12-22 at Sea Glass Stage at Coligny Theatre, includes, from left, Mark Erickson, Amy Barlett, John Gass, and Sarah Clemmons.
“When Sea Glass Stage Company first formed in 2023 and we began to brainstorm our first season, Christmas My Way was at the top of our list,” said Clark, who is a co-founder of the nonprofit theatre group. “The music is fantastic and we thought it would be really appealing to our audience. Who doesn’t love Frank Sinatra?”
Clark said this show is unique “because it’s not your typical musical – it’s more like a concert!”
The script and score were created in the early 2000s by David Grapes and Todd Olson, two college theatre professors who are writers and fans of the Rat Pack and of Christmas. The question that started their creatives juices flowing was simply: “What would have happened had the Rat Pack ever done a Christmas show?”
The authors intend for the performers not to try to mimic or “become” any of the Rat Pack personalities, but rather maintain their own persona.
“The actors are essentially playing themselves as they sing melodies,” Clark said. “There are a few stories told through monologues, with some facts about the Rat Pack, and a ton of jokes. It’s super lighthearted and perfect for the season.”
Though there are only four performers in the show, when they sing together, Clark said, it sounds like several more voices. This is partly because the harmonies they have practiced are a bit more complicated than a typical four-part chorus.
“They are powerful singers that are doing a fantastic job with all the jazz harmonies that the show features,” Clark said. “All of them have been super easy to work with and bring a lot of joy and laughter to the show.”
As a director, in the first few rehearsals Clark often starts out getting actors to play “get to know me” games. One such activity required the actors to pair up and learn as much as they could about one another in five minutes.
“After the five minutes, they had to introduce their partner to the rest of the cast and me,” Clark said. “The challenge is to try to remember everything that was shared.”
Apart from the games, intentional interaction and relationships among performers are critical to the success of a production, especially with a small cast.
“My favorite part about directing this show is getting to work with actors who are so passionate about music. Seeing them come together and communicate with each other through song is really beautiful,” Clark said. “This show requires great chemistry and camaraderie, so part of my job is to facilitate that.”
Whether you’re a lifelong Sinatra fan or simply looking for a joyous night out, Christmas My Way is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and pep in your step. Don’t miss your chance to have a blast while celebrating the season Sinatra-style.
For more information, visit sgstage.org or find Sea Glass Stage on Facebook.