Christmas Is…

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Christmas Is…

Hosted by Dianne Fraser and Robyn Spangler

Catalina Jazz Club, Hollywood, CA, December 17, 2024

Reviewed by Mary Bogue

The holiday spirit came alive at Catalina’s Jazz Club as Dianne Fraser and Robyn Spangler, accompanied by the masterful Todd Schroeder as music director and pianist, delivered a dazzling and heartfelt evening of Christmas cabaret. With its seamless blend of humor, nostalgia, and stirring performances, the show was a gift-wrapped celebration of the season.

Fraser and Spangler set the tone right from the start and followed Schroeder’s elegant overture of classic Christmas carols with their playful rendition of “Winter Wonderland” (Felix Bernard/Richard B. Smith). Their contrasting styles—Spangler exudied refined grace in a black sequined gown, and Fraser brought exuberance in a sophisticated navy-blue dress—offered the perfect balance, and created a delightful synergy as they performed.

Spangler charmed the audience with her lively take on “Who Spiked the Eggnog?” (Ryan Louis/Deke Sharon), which she infused with humor and warmth. Her powerful vocals danced alongside Schroeder’s bluesy, cheeky piano accompaniment and made the number a comedic highlight.

The evening continued to sparkle as Shawn Ryan stepped on stage to deliver “My Simple Christmas Wish” (David Freeman) with Broadway-level finesse and charismatic acting. His performance brimmed with humor and heart and drew roars of laughter and applause from the crowd.

Schroeder brought a soulful change of pace with “Santa’s Blues” (Charles Brown), and his infectious joy filled the room. He then showcased his emotional depth with his original composition “One More Christmas Wish,” which connected deeply with the audience in a poignant moment of musical storytelling.

The show’s comedic energy reached new heights with Kevin Fisher’s raucous performance of his own “Ho Ho Ho,” which reimagined Mrs. Claus with its hilariously unfiltered twist. His larger-than-life energy and impeccable timing earned him thunderous applause and left the audience in stitches.

Then came the undeniable scene-stealer: Jane A. Johnston rendition of “Too Old to Die Young” (Murray Grand). She delivered the unflinching, witty truth that had the audience captivated. Her rendition of “The Ladies Who Lunch” (Sondheim) was fiery and fearless—even as she humorously stumbled on the lyrics but won the crowd’s adoration all the same. She closed her segment with “My Favorite Year” (Michele Brourman/Karen Gottlieb), which showcased her vocal prowess and stage presence and left no doubt that she was a true cabaret legend.

Ryan returned to close out the comedic brilliance with a hilariously innovative, tipsy rendition of “12 Daze of Christmas” (Clay and Candy Davis). His “drunken” antics and razor-sharp humor brought down the house and cemented his status as the evening’s comedic genius.

The heartfelt moments of the night were equally compelling. Fraser transitioned from technical precision to genuine emotional storytelling with “A Place Called Home” (Alan Menken/Lynn Ahrens), in which her vulnerability and connection to the lyrics shone through. Spangler followed with a stirring performance of “Imagine” (John Lennon) and encouraged the audience to embrace peace and hope as the year drew to a close.

To cap off the night, the performers led a heartwarming singalong of “White Christmas” (Irving Berlin), which left the room filled with joy, camaraderie, and holiday cheer. The audience responded with a standing ovation, grateful for an unforgettable evening of stellar vocals, witty humor, and beautifully crafted arrangements.

Under Schroeder’s expert musical direction, Christmas Is… was more than just a show; it was a celebration of the season’s magic. The night provided joy, peace, and laughter and left us with hearts full of Christmas spirit and memories to cherish.

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Mary Bogue

Mary Bogue’s journey into the world of jazz began in 1981 when she was accepted by the Monterey Jazz Festival to cover the event as a writer. It was there that jazz tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate introduced her to the legendary vocalist Helen Humes. Their interview, later published in Jazz Dispatch and distributed at the Playboy Jazz Festival, marked the beginning of Bogue’s deep connection to jazz and storytelling. One unforgettable moment came when Humes introduced her to Count Basie, saying, “Bill, this is my friend Mary. Mary, this is Bill.” That simple introduction sparked a lifelong love for jazz and a passion for writing. Among her early interviews was a conversation with the legendary Les McCann, a connection that would come full circle years later when McCann joined Bogue on her debut album, Don’t Go to Strangers, released in 2012. The album, celebrated with a launch party hosted by KJZZ, gained national airplay and recognition. Her follow-up albums, Blue Smoke and One Night of Sin, further solidified her place in the jazz world. In 2015, Bogue was honored as a Living Legend of Jazz and recognized by the Duke Ellington Society, the United States Congress, the State of California, and the City of Los Angeles. Her cabaret career took off at the iconic Gardenia in Hollywood and continued in New York at the Metropolitan Room. That same year, she joined Cabaret Scenes Magazine as a reviewer of both cabaret shows and CDs, continuing to champion jazz and cabaret through both performance and the written word. In addition to her accomplishments in music and journalism, Mary is also an accomplished visual artist. She has designed album covers and created a wide range of artwork, including oil paintings of blues singers and expressive watercolors. Her visual work, much like her music, reflects her deep passion for the soul and spirit of jazz and blues.