My Favorite Things: DC's Cast Members Share Their Holiday Favorites

Actors from all over the country come to the nation's capital each year to share their holidays with us. Both local and visiting performers are here in DC over the holiday season, sharing their talents in Ford's Theatre's A Christmas Carol, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas at the National Theatre, and Arena Stage's Carousel. We reached out to ask them what holiday songs made the top of their nice list!

Katie Arthur, Arena Stage's CAROUSEL

What is your favorite holiday song?

Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - it's peaceful and reminds me of family

What's one hope you have for 2017?

Continued good health of my family

Ann Arvia, Arena Stage's CAROUSEL

What is your favorite holiday song?

Shawn Colvin's "Silent Night" - It's yearning simplicity never fails to make me weep

What's one hope you have for 2017?

Compassionate understanding of those who are different from each of us.

Philip Bryan, National Theater's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

What is your favorite holiday song?

Bing Crosby's "Christmas is a Comin'" - It always puts me in the Holiday spirit!

What's one hope you have for 2017?

To be blessed with the opportunity to provide opportunities for others.

E. Faye Butler, Arena Stage's CAROUSEL

What is your favorite holiday song?

B.B. King's "Merry Christmas Baby" - Reminds me of the laughter and joy in my childhood. My Mom and Dad dancing on Christmas Eve, the smells from granny's kitchen. The stories and conversation at the table. You know Family!!

What's one hope you have for 2017?

Awareness and Comfort

Julia DiPiazza, National Theater's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

What is your favorite holiday song?

Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" - I love the jingling sounds of the bells at the beginning the song! It gets me excited and into the Christmas spirit! I also can't help but dance and sing along to that song!

What's one hope you have for 2017?

I hope I can be more like Cindy Lou and make people's hearts grow a few sizes. Caring and kindness toward others can make that happen. I hope others can do that too.

Maria Egler, Ford's Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

What is your favorite holiday song?

It's a tie - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" performed by Judy Garland or James Taylor, and "The Christmas Waltz" performed by Frank Sinatra. "Have Yourself..." is a favorite because of the emotional impact it had on me in "Meet me in St. Louis". Watching that movie when I was young Judy's performance made me cry and it's just one of those songs that elicits a warm feeling every time I hear it. And "Christmas Waltz" describes exactly how I feel during the holiday season, and who doesn't love to be serenaded by Mr. Sinatra whenever possible?

Danielle Guilbot, National Theater's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

What is your favorite holiday song?

Shirley Temple's "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" - It's my favorite because it's upbeat and cheerful!

What's one hope you have for 2017?

I hope to perform on Broadway!

Rick Hammerly, Ford's Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

What is your favorite holiday song?

Charo's "(Mamacita) Donde Esta Santa Claus?" - First of all, this is CHARO we're talking about! And secondly, it's an extended 12" disco version found only on vinyl. Charo, cheer & a bit of nostalgia in one perfect yuletide treat! Lyric sample: "I hope he won't forget to clack his castanets,
And to his reindeer, say, "Oh! Pancho, Oh! Vixen, Oh! Pedro, Oh! Blitzen,"
Ole! Ole! Ole!"

What's one hope you have for 2017?

That nationally, as well as globally, we accept & celebrate the differences which make us all uniquely & equally human.

Ethan Kasnett, Arena Stage's CAROUSEL

What is your favorite holiday song?

Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" - Because Mariah's voice is second to none.

What's one hope you have for 2017?

For love and kindness to prevail.

Bob Lauder, National Theater's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

What is your favorite holiday song?

Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" - It really brings the spirit of Christmas home.

What's one hope you have for 2017?

Christmas home.

Emma Sophie Moore, Arena Stage's CAROUSEL

What is your favorite holiday song?

Mary J. Blige's "This Christmas" - It's a great song to dance to with friends and the lyrics are about the best things about winter!

What's one hope you have for 2017?

I hope that despite recent events, the world can go on and spread love. This includes giving a home to those who need one, accepting everyone for who they are, and extending basic human rights to those who are currently denied those rights.

Jovani Morales-Shackleford, Ford's Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

What is your favorite holiday song?

Any version of "Jingle Bell Rock" - I like that the word "rock" is in it and it's an upbeat song.

What's one hope you have for 2017?

I love science and want to start a school project to create a new animal species.

Nathan Pham, Ford's Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

What is your favorite holiday song?

The version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" that we perform in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, because it's exciting.

What's one hope you have for 2017?

For nothing to go wrong.

Andreas Wyder, National Theater's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

What is your favorite holiday song?

The classic, good-ol' whistle-tones of Mariah Carey singing "All I Want for Christmas is You" - I can't help but walk with a pep in my step and giggle when I hear that boppin', happy tune! It celebrates this beautiful season and it celebrates LOVE!

What's one hope you have for 2017?

To keep living my life in a joyful, hopeful, optimistic way and inspire others to do the same!

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Many thanks to the companies of Arena Stage's CAROUSEL, National Theater's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, and Ford's Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL for sharing a little holiday spirit with us!