Star of Wonder: A Carol Ann Christmas at Uptown Players

Uptown Players Presents the World Premiere of “Star of Wonder: A Carol Ann Christmas”

A glittering new holiday musical from Mark Waldrop and B.J. Cleveland

This December, Uptown Players will begin its 24th season with a sparkling world premiere that’s equal parts musical revue, madcap backstage comedy, and heartfelt holiday celebration. Star of Wonder: A Carol Ann Christmas brings audiences the over-the-top return of Carol Ann Knipple—the larger-than-life diva first introduced in When Pigs Fly—in an all-new, laugh-till-you-jingle spectacular written by award-winning lyricist and playwright Mark Waldrop (When Pigs Fly, Pete ’n’ Keely, Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular).

When Carol Ann’s beloved Melody Barn Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota, literally goes up in smoke after a freak curling-iron mishap, she heads south to Dallas—determined to stage the dazzling holiday extravaganza she never got to finish. What follows is a sleigh-ride of outrageous production numbers, Broadway-style parodies, backstage mayhem, and genuine yuletide warmth.

Directed by B.J. Cleveland, with music direction, arrangements, and orchestrations by Adam C. Wright and choreography by Alli Betsill, the production stars Micah Green reprising his role as Carol Ann Knipple alongside a cast of Uptown favorites including Peter DiCesare, Seth Paden, Jacob Hemsath, Ryan Michael Friedman, Laura Lites, Brett Warner, Lee Walter, and Kylie Stewart.

Packed with holiday favorites like It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Winter Wonderland—plus Broadway-style showstoppers such as All Those Christmas Clichés, I Wanna Be a Rockette, The Truth About Christmas, and the hilariously sultry Surabaya Santa—this show delivers a one-of-a-kind Uptown Players holiday experience.

“Star of Wonder isn’t just a holiday show—it’s a love letter to theater itself,” says Craig Lynch, Executive Producer of Uptown Players. “It celebrates every messy, glitter-covered, laugh-till-you-cry thing we adore about putting on a show, and it captures the queer joy and camaraderie that define Uptown’s spirit. It’s bold, campy, heartfelt, and gloriously gay.”

Lobby Festivities & Pre-Show Fun
Before the curtain even rises, the Kalita Humphreys Theater will be transformed into a wonderland of Uptown holiday cheer. Audiences can snap the perfect holiday photo in a fabulously decorated lobby decked out in twinkling lights and seasonal sparkle. Guests may even encounter a few mischievous visitors—drag queens dressed as Santa’s saucy helpers—ready to determine who’s been naughty or nice. It’s the perfect way to kick off a night of laughter, glitter, and good cheer before Star of Wonder lights up the stage.

Creative Team
Book and Original Lyrics by Mark Waldrop
Directed and Additional Material by B.J. Cleveland
Music Director/Arranger/Orchestrator – Adam C. Wright
Choreographer – Alli Betsill

Cast
Carol Ann Knipple – Micah Green
Peter DiCesare, Ryan Michael Friedman, Jacob Hemsath, Laura Lites, Seth Paden, Kylie Stewart, Lee Walter, and Brett Warner

Performance Schedule
December 5 – 14, 2025
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets $30 – $65. For details and reservations, visit www.uptownplayers.org or call 214-219-2718.

About Mark Waldrop
Mark Waldrop is a celebrated writer, lyricist, and director whose career spans Broadway and Off-Broadway. He is the recipient of the Edward Kleban Award for Lyrics and multiple honors for Howard Crabtree’s When Pigs Fly—including the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and OBIE Awards. Waldrop has written for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, Bette Midler’s Divine Miss Millennium tour, and Bea Arthur on Broadway (Tony nomination, Unique Theatrical Event).

About Uptown Players
Uptown Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to presenting plays and musicals that challenge audiences artistically and foster greater public awareness and acceptance through the performing arts. Now celebrating its 24th season and 16th year at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, Uptown Players is recognized as one of Dallas/Fort Worth’s premier regional theaters and a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQ+ patrons and their allies.