BWW Reviews: Cabrillo Holiday Spectacular Is a Treat

Cabrillo Music Theatre have done themselves proud these past couple of seasons with stellar productions of great Broadway shows. Their 2010 Holiday Spectacular is indeed just that. There's something for everyone in the family: Broadway show tunes, Christmas carols and a delightful sing-a-long, and some pretty wonderful dance numbers involving some pretty talented kids, beautifully choreographed by director Cheryl Baxter.

Stars Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy are a joy to behold together. She, more beautiful than ever, sings three of the Rodgers and Hammerstein hits that made her famous in the film versions of Oklahoma! and Carousel: "If I Loved You", "People Will Say We're In Love", and "Out of My Dreams" and "'Till There Was You" in duet with Cassidy from Meredith Willson's The Music Man. She can still hit the high notes with ease and has kept her voice in quite dandy shape. Cassidy, with his good looks and boyish humor in tact, plays warmly with his mom, and nothing is more touching than "Mama, a Rainbow" sung directly to her in Act II. Tearfully she follows singing a lovely "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", her finest hour.

Cabrillo veterans are also on hand like Cassie Silva, Shannon Warne, Dion Mial and Jeffrey Scott Parsons, along with ensemble Derek Klena, Farley Cadena, Jason Evans and Noelle Marion. Highlights include: "The Christmas Song" by Mial in a mock-up USO show, a splashy "Zat You, Santa Claus?" by Silva, a beautiful "A Place Called Home" by Warne in duet with Cassidy who sings "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and a playful "Little Red Hat" performed by Silva and Parsons.The kids, including Lexie Collins, Natalie Esposito, Max Kennedy, Quinn Martin, Malia Tyler and Anthony Valdez, are terrific as elves in "Santa's Little Helper" and score later with "When Christmas Comes to Town". Bravo to the dancers as well who do a great "Parade of the Toy Soldier" and a fun "Jingle Bell Rock" and "White Christmas" with Cassidy strutting his comic stuff. Kudos as well to Dan Redfeld and the top-notch Cabrillo orchestra.

This is a totally fun and heartwarming evening for the entire family. Don't miss it! Performances remaining are today at 1 pm and 7 pm and again tomorrow Thursday December 23 at 1 pm and 7 pm and final performance on Christmas Eve at 1 pm. Fred Kavli Theatre @ Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, in Thousand Oaks. Call for tix: (805) 449-ARTS.