With everything else going on in the world, there’s a nice
little respite below the hills in Escondido at the Welk Resort Theatre where
co-creator Larry Rabin with co- director Noelle Marion and choreographer and
co-creator Cheryl Baxter Ratliff are presenting “Welkome Home For The Holidays”
in a two hour sing and dance fest through Dec. 29th.
Billed as a love letter to “The Rat Pack” TV Holiday Specials
of the past, it’s a holiday/variety/ fun filled songfest with a thinly veiled
story line.
With some forty plus holiday songs sung by many of your
favorite local musical theatre performers, the show is hosted by daytime soap
star Eric Marstolf, an amicable, easy going host with a whole bunch of
charisma and a big baritone voice.
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| Eric Marstolf |
The terrific on stage band is headed by conductor/piano Allen
Everman (a find) with Mike Masessa on on drums and percussion and Martin
Martiarena on bass. Eric’s quiet at home evening, wearing a Mr. Rogers type
sweater in red, soon becomes the gathering place for his ‘drop in friends’. And
that’s really when the party begins.
Similar to the old Dean Martin holiday shows there are
‘oldies but goodies: “Count your Blessings” (with Erica Marie Weisz), “I’ll Be Home For
Christmas”, “What Are You Doing New Years?” and
“Winter Wonderland”, “Marshmallow World” and of course “Rudolph The Red
-Nosed Reindeer”.
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| Luke Harvey Jacobs, Sean Thomas Kiralla, Jacob Caltrider and Allen Everman |
Those needing a religious fix include “O Holy Night” sung
impressively by Misty Cotton, and “Little Drummer Boy” (visually and
beautifully orchestrated completely in the dark. ‘Come they told me ‘Pa rum
pump pump um- the drums were lit up in blue florescence.) It was pretty
impressive and sent shivers.
The band played a bouncy “Rudolph Mambo” and “Mambo Santa”
with Jacob, Leslie, Luke, Sean, Andrea, Shirley and Kya showed off their
dancing skills.
Eric’s solo of “Count Your Blessings” and “What Are You Doing
New Years Eve?” proved his strong chops are equal to his good looks.
Bethany’s “I Want A Hippopotamus For Chrisymas" brought the house down and
the “Boogie Woogy Santa” had some wanting to hop up on stage and join the
dancers. Misty, Bethany, Shirley and Erin wanted Santa to “Bring Me A Man This
Christmas”.
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| Bethany Slomka and Misty Cotton |
And for the big surprise: an audience member was picked
(ahead of time, I might add) to act out a scene with Eric to possibly be his
next leading lady in his TV series. It was all fun and games a break from the
non -stop singing and dancing.
The talented all inclusive cast with Kaya Cafaro (recently
seen in “Addams Family”). Jacob Caltrider (33-1/3
House Of Dreams), Misty Cotton, (“Mama Mia”) Allen Everman, Luke Harvey Jacobs (“Sister
Act”), Shirley Johnson, Sean Thomas Kiralla (“Addams Family”), Bethany Slomka (“Hairspray”),
Leslie Stevens, Erin Vanderhyde (“All Shook Up”), Erica Marie Weisz (“Addams Family”) and Andrea Williams, (“Sweet
Charity”), gives it their all.
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| The Cast of 'Welkome Home" |
Rory Brown designed the set including some easy chairs and of
course a bar, Patrick Hoyny’s sound, Janet Pitcher’s bright and contrasting
with black holiday costumes fit the mood of the holiday and Jennifer Edwards
lighting design is holiday perfect.
Santa brings all the kids up on stage and sings a special
song to them. Bring the whole family to enjoy traditional, pop, a Broadway nod
(“Happy Days Are Here Again”) and seasonal music and dance fit for a Welk
Holiday Show.
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| Sean Thomas Kiralla, Luke HArvey Jacobs, Jacob Caltrider, Misty Cotton and Allen Everman |
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through Dec. 29th
Organization: Welk Resort Theatre
Phone: 888-802-SHOW
Production Type: Musical
Where: 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido, CA 92026
Ticket Prices: $59.00 performance only/ $79.00 pre dinner and
show.
Web: welktheatresandiego.com
Venue: Welk Resort Theatre
Photo: Ken Jacques
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