Review: TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS at Laura Little Theatricals

I saw the final evening show for the Traditions of Christmas on Thursday night. Produced by Laura Little Theatricals and booked as a Radio City Music hall style show, Traditions of Christmas has been playing in San Diego for over 27 years and in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for the past 5 years. This is the first year it has been performed here in the Treasure Valley.

Throughout the show, we are taken through favorite holiday songs, traditions throughout the world, a visit to Santa's workshop, a beautiful stop to honor our armed forces (with the exception of the Coast Guard) and a lavish (but long) journey to the nativity including live animals, which while impressive also were a bit distracting.

There was a lot happening in this show and the flow of the scene changes were what I would call "dead space". Only part of the cast had microphones, and when those who did not have them were singing, the canned music overpowered them. However, the dance numbers were my favorite, notably the March of the Wooden Soldiers. Starting with the younger performers of the cast and moving to kick-line girls to finish out the number was really fun.

Despite the struggles that we all know shows always have, Traditions of Christmas, was quite good. The beauty of the costumes, the voices, the kids performing and stealing the show and the gorgeous kick-line, all in all made the first annual show here in the Treasure Valley one that I might check out again next year. However, at a $33 ticket price, I don't know that it will be added to my list of Traditions.

Photo Credit: Natashia Rechenmacher