Unwrapped: An Original Christmas Revue
Phoenix Theatre Company, Phoenix, AZ, December 4, 2020
Reviewed by Lynn Timmons Edwards
The second cabaret/concert under the stars at Phoenix Theatre was colder than the first in our seats, but hotter and even better on the stage. Brock Pro Entertainment is known for bringing a rock edge to musical theater revues and they made it work with a fast-moving, high-energy mash up of traditional and contemporary holiday standards. In addition to their on-stage sparkle, the Lynzee & Mark Forman are the producers of Brock Pro, Lynzee doubling as choreographer and Mark as musical director and arranger. They brought together a cast of strong singers (they also hired and rehearsed a swing cast) and a band that was tight and fired up on opening night. The musicians kicked it off with an original arrangement of “Linus and Lucy” and then backed up the singers, sometimes reminding me of the Electric Light Orchestra. About midway through the show they performed an original arrangement of my favorite, “Carol of the Bells,” that grew from a gorgeous instrumental into a full vocal ensemble number.
Every move was choreographed which some might label a little slick for cabaret, but it shined with professionalism. Sam Primack, who is on hiatus from the national tour of Dear Evan Hansen, is a fine singer and dancer and got to show off his comic skills on his solo of Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song.” Alexandra Ncube got to solo on the opening of “A Kwanzaa Song” (by Lovely Hoffman) and totally nailed the classic “All I Want for Christmas” like she was Mariah Carey’s double. Not being of the generation to have seen Frozen, I was impressed with Ncube and Alyssa Chiarello’s duet of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman.” The Frozen medley also gave Primack one of the most theatrical moments with “Into the Unknown.” Chiarello is one of my favorite local artists and it was fun to hear her sing the lead on “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The back up vocals were a little too loud or it would have been a showstopper.
The most stunning solo moment was provided by Walter Belcher, the current director of Up with People and a resident of Tucson by way of Cleveland, Ohio. His rendition of “Mary Did You Know?” was not only a calm moment in the show but his mastery of the song and his baritone into falsetto range gave me goosebumps.
Most of the evening was filled with ensemble numbers, well-choreographed and full of solid harmony. Highlights were the opening “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame, an original arrangement of “Sleigh Ride,” and the Pentatonix arrangement of “Winter Wonderland”/“Don’t Worry Be Happy.” The women also brought down the courtyard with the Weathergirls’ “Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man” with hysterical graphics behind them.
Speaking of projections, the uncredited rock stars of the evening were lighting designer Kristen Peterson, and video designer Daniel “Cheesy” Johnson. Not only does Johnson play a mean guitar, but he has a great eye. Phoenix Theatre Company’s new outdoor stage was built with a large projection screen which they “unwrapped” this time with imaginative, colorful and entertaining images that ranged from abstract painting to clever animations to imagery that was often the most fun thing to see on stage.
It is so joyful to go to live theater even if you must bundle up and take a cushion. Unwrapped director and associate artistic director of PTC, Robbie Kolbe Harper says “Something magical happens when people gather together to enjoy live performance. Whether you’re an artist or an audience member, we’re all desperate for the healing power of art. It uplifts, it inspires, it’s the perfect way to feel the connection we all crave – especially right now.” Unwrapped runs through December 23, 2020. Next up is Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll sings Judy Garland opening January 27.
