Artists Rep Presents MARS ON LIFE, 11/16-12/19

Susannah Mars returns with the warmth, charm and authentic humor that audiences know to expect.  This year she explores the expectations of what the holiday home is "supposed to be" - the havoc, the harmony, and the universal challenges the season can mean for each of us. The show is conceived by Susannah Mars, features Susannah Mars and special guests, and is directed by Grant Byington. Runs November 16-December 19 at Artists Repertory Theatre, Alder Stage, 1515 SW Morrison. Tickets are $20-$47 at 503.241.1278 or www.artistsrep.org.
 
"Mars on Life- LIVE!  is not an alternative to typical holiday fare but an addition," said Susannah Mars. "We will run the gamut of the human experience at the holidays - the stress, the wonder, the celebration, and the laughter needed to cope with it all..."
 
Amid a revolving door of special guests, Susannah will sing 26 songs, give gifts galore, dance and even bake. Not really, she will fake-bake with the help of physical theater choreographer Jerry Mouawad of Imago Theatre.
 
Just a few of Susannah's special guests will include Rebecca Kilgore, Portland Gay Men Chorus, Body Vox's Jamey Hampton and Holcombe Waller.  As always, audience participation will be a big part of the evening's experience, with the audience receiving gifts and being photographed. This is a chance for audiences to banish their holiday baggage, and embrace Susannah's, in an unpredictable show that will be different every night! 
 
While the charm and talent of Susannah is as enjoyable as ever, this version will be "more homey and less nightclub," than the Mars on Life that have graced Artists Rep's stage years prior, said Director and Co-Creator Grant Byington.
 
"We always thought it would be cool if it the show was like sitting in someone's living room sharing holiday moments," said Byington. "This version is the closest to that idea as we've got."
 
Much of that homey feel is due in part to the warm and welcoming set, designed by Jeff Seats. With a ski lodge feel and a window overlooking a winter scene, Seats said he was inspired by old movies such as "Christmas in Connecticut" and "White Christmas" and wanted a design that wasn't overpowering the onstage band.
 
The band will include local stalwarts of the music scene Bill Wells, Ross Selligman, Bob Shotola and Will Amend performing holiday songs old and new from a variety of composers such as Irving Berlin and Jason Robert Brown.

Susannah Mars has spent the holiday season on stage with Artists Rep since 2006, starring in Mars on Life: The Holiday Edition and Holidazed. A different version of Mars on Life was last seen on Artists Rep stages in 2007.