Dave Valentino, Cori Cable Kidder, Mike Flick (Photo by Berrie Tsang)
Reviewed by F. Kathleen Foley
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Through December 23
RECOMMENDED
As a recent interview in The Atlantic observed, Christmas is “all wrapped up in nostalgia” — an obvious but apt observation. The season evokes memories of Christmases past and, as the Atlantic article also pointed out, darker reflections on what many believe was a simpler time of peace and goodwill.
Cori Cable Kidder’s Holiday Spectacular, now playing at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, doesn’t shy away from the sentimentality of the season. Essentially a musical revue written and performed by Cori Cable Kidder, who appears as herself, Holiday Spectacular succeeds, on one level, as a light-hearted “star” vehicle for the engaging Kidder. Look more closely and you will find a well-researched and trenchant show that piques our deeper yearning for Christmases past.
Set primarily during World War II, the show recycles musical standards from the 1940s, all performed by Kidder, a superlative singer who also nimbly tap dances her way through several numbers. Directed by Christine Negherbon and backed by an on-stage band, she intersperses the evening with charming interstitial banter about the wartime challenges faced on the American Homefront.
Kidder performs the first act in an authentic WAC military uniform, segueing into more glitzy ensembles later in the show. Her band, also clad in G.I. uniforms, consists of Mike Flick on bass, Jim Miller on drums and musical director Sean Paxton on piano — all excellent. However, although the other band members have their individual opportunities to shine, it is the smoothly accomplished saxophonist Dave Victorino who is most frequently featured, so much so that he emerges as a kind of secondary star — a testament to Kidder’s generosity in letting another performer so lavishly share the spotlight.
Songs from the Christmas canon intermingle with wistful wartime ballads. Kidder’s almost unbearably poignant rendition of I’ll Be Seeing You, expressing the longing of those separated by war who are aware they may never see one another again, raises goosebumps.
Towards the end of the show, Kidder references her own grandfather’s wartime service and asks any veterans in the audience to stand so she can thank them for their service. It’s a properly reflective conclusion to a well-rendered entertainment.
Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Dec. 23. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org Running time: two hours with an intermission.
