Toby's "Nostalgia": A Sizzling Hot Holiday Treat

◊◊◊◊◊ out of five.  1 hour, 35 minutes, plus intermission.

It's that time of year when all of us are running around like maniacs, attending to a thousand details.  The stores are jammed, tempers run high, and exhaustion zaps you of all your "holiday cheer."  Theatergoers generally have kids shows, concerts and the occasional twisted "adult" holiday show to choose from.  I have to admit, though, when I hear about holiday musical revues, childhood images of the Lawrence Welk holiday show, complete with cheesy smiles and tons of cheap snow, and the fake "good cheer" of secular tunes mixed with the overly pious and stern rendition of "O Holy Night."  There is nothing wrong with that (I admit I've been watching the Celtic Woman Christmas special all week on PBS).  But it thrills me to no end (as it should you!) that Baltimore has a musical revue - Holiday Hot Nostalgia -  worth going to see - think Smokey Joe's Cafe meets Donny and Marie's Christmas Spectacular - at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore.

Originally conceived by Toby Orenstein herself, musical director Doug Lawler and Ross Scott Rawlings, this show actually defies description.  There is no script, no characters forced into a story that brings all of the songs "together."  Instead, we follow a timeline through 20^th century standards, from a jazz club in the 30's through a 70's disco.  Each era is change signaled by costume changes and some thoughtful snippets of famous dialogue (Ed Sullivan introducing The Beatles, the astronauts wishing us "Merry Christmas" from outer space, etc.).  In truth, this non-stop extravaganza could play just fine without the holiday tunes.  But what really makes the "holiday" part of the show work is that these tunes aren't smooshed into an existing format.  Instead, they, too, seem to follow the timeline presented - they are given equal weight, not a heavy handed presentation.  Act One takes us from the 30's through the 50's, while Act Two brings us the 60's and 70's.  At 41 years old, I wasn't around for any of the songs in act one, and only half of the 60's.  But, I can honestly say that I could sing along with nearly every song, and those I couldn't, I could hum easily.  That is to say that young and old alike have much to enjoy here.

The production values of a Toby's show are always quite high, Holiday Hot Nostalgia is no exception.  A simple set (designed by David A. Hopkins) with giant lit vintage Christmas cards surrounding it, a lit platform and an onstage bandbox are all that are needed to bring the real reason for the show - the music to the fore.  Indeed it is nice to see the live band (under the direction of Douglas Lawler, Greg Knauf or Cedric Lyles - they rotate) get some very public recognition, and it is simply amazing that that much sound comes from five musicians!  And it is nice that they are as much a part of the show as the singer/dancers, even being a part of the curtain call.  Mr. Hopkins uses his lighting design to highlight and add mood and variety to the static setting to great effect.  And Janine Gulisano-Sunday's costume designs are a marvel of simplicity and period, considering each cast member literally changes costumes 20 or more times in just over and hour and half.  They are colorful, evocative, and downright fun (did we really look that "bad" in the 70's?).  Larry Munsey's direction and staging (choreography based on that of Ilona Kessell) is seamless and sleek.  I'm telling you, this is a wild train ride; once the train leaves the station, hold on to your seats!  Rather than try to over dramatize any number, each song is allowed to sing for itself - a testament to the quality of music of years past, that each is like a small play, emotional, complete and satisfying.  The dancing, simple, but definitely of the appropriate period is fun to watch and looks like it is as fun to do.  If I had to be picky, the staging is so seamless that there were a few times I wanted to applaud, but couldn't.  On the other hand, why stop a speeding bullet!?

What truly makes this show special, a gift, if you will, is being able to see 10 of Toby's absolutely finest performers onstage together.  It is especially a treat for us regulars who see these people time and again in roles; here, they are themselves, doing what they truly love - performing.  By gathering these ten together, you get the thing that really gives this non-stop showstopper its heart.  That thing is chemistry.  You can tell that these folks have developed an unspoken language when they perform - they look at each other as if to say, "I don't care how tired I am, what a treat to be working with you again."  And that chemistry is worth five times the admission price.  Each of them is a top-notch triple threat - they sing, dance and act with a glee and at such a professional level.

Since literally they share the stage equally, let me discuss each alphabetically. (Sometimes, I can't give a song title, as no list is provided in the program - keeping things a surprise - but suffice it to say, you will know these songs!)  Heather Marie Beck (Little Shop of Horrors, Titanic: The Musical) does it all, giving 100% even when she is in the background.  She's the type of performer you find yourself watching no matter what else is going on onstage.  Her vocal stylings during the 60's section are a highlight of act two.  Tina Marie DeSimone (Grease, Fiddler on the Roof) is, as always, a terrific dancer.  (And she's pretty good on roller blades, too!) But her sincerity as she sings several songs throughout the show brings a warmth to the show, and her kinship with her co-stars is especially evident during "Friendship" the Cole Porter classic, that she sings with Larry Munsey and David James.

David James (Little Shop of Horrors, The Full Monty) is another one of those performers you tend to watch.  In his case, it is to see what he'll do next.  Most performers of that mold tend to grow old quickly, as their tendency to chew the scenery becomes an exercise in self-promotion.  Not so with Mr. James, who comes evilly close to the edge of excess, but knows just when to pull back and keep it real.  He is funny throughout, and has a wonderful voice.  Shawn Kettering (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story) brings a rougher edge to the cast, often delegated to the more rock tinged numbers - he even reprises his Buddy role of The Big Bopper doing "Chantilly Lace", and he is in excellent voice as a rocking bad boy in the powerful "War" number during the 60's segment. (He is also a great waiter.)

Daniel McDonald (Titanic: The Musical, The Full Monty) can add another feather to his performing cap, crooning his way through such standards as "Thanks for the Memory", and as Theodore in "The Chipmunks' Christmas Song."  Toby really gets her money's worth from this versatile, engaging performer.  Larry Munsey (Titanic: The Musical, The Full Monty) seems to do it all, too.  Not only has he directed and staged this huge show, but he sings and dances his share, too.  What a dancer!  And he brings an honest sincerity to his holiday themed songs as well.

Ashley Parker (Ragtime, Dreamgirls) is rapidly becoming the girl to see in local productions.  This young lady tears up the stage with a voice the Gods would envy, and she knows how to "act" a song.  Her "Ain't Misbehavin'" in act one, and her lead in "We Are Family" in act two are thrilling, but what really makes her standout here is her comic/impersonation skills.  She does a mean Tina Turner, and a dead on Sonny Bono (yes, you read that right)!  Tess Rohan (Thoroughly Modern Millie) just back from a national tour of Man of La Mancha, brings a lovely operatic voice quality to several numbers, including "Silent Night" (in German, no less!).  And she proves game to dance and rollerblade her way through several other numbers.

Finally, Janine Gulisano-Sunday and her husband Russell Sunday (both stellar in Titanic: The Musical and Toby's Baltimore's inaugural production of Beauty and the Beast), bring more than a husband-wife chemistry to the show.  When they are together the connection is clear, but their connection to the rest of the company is exemplary, as well.  Ms. Sunday's "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" is both cute and powerful, and Mr. Sunday offers a spine-tingling "I'll Be Seeing You."  He also does a pretty fair Elvis!

But the biggest thrills of the show are when all ten are working together, from the opening "Sleigh Ride" through to the final "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."  The ladies do the girl groups justice - from The Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Boogle Boy" to The Supremes.  And the guys do a fun tribute to both The Beatles and Herman's Hermits.  The final moments of the 40's section, taking place in a swing time canteen, was a sobering reminder that Peace on Earth has yet to be achieved.  With cast members representing each member of the armed forces, one can't help but wonder if our tributes to current soldiers will be as classic and memorable.  Their rendition of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" is great fun.  Act two offers a stunning interpretation of "Happy Together" (I'd go back again just to hear them sing that over!) and a beautiful "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In."

I have to confess that I used to roll my eyes when my grandparents and parents used to say, "They sure don't write them like that anymore!"  But Holiday Hot Nostalgia really makes that sentiment true.  I guess that's the "Nostalgia" part of the title.  I left trying to think what songs might make it into a review that includes the 90's and the first years of the 21^st century.  I can't think of one.  Hmm… maybe "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" and "Hit Me Baby (One More Time)?  Please… no!!!  In the mean time, get yourself to Toby's Baltimore, be it for a rest from the fray of holiday stuff or simply as a gift to share with friends and family.  Food, family and good cheer abound.  Don't miss it! 

PHOTOS by Kirstine Christiansen.  TOP to BOTTOM: Janine Gulisano-Sunday and Larry Munsey; Tina Marie DeSimone, Janine Gulisano-Sunday, Tess Rohan; Russell Sunday, Daniel McDonald, David James; The Company; Girl Group Power! (Heather Marie Beck, center); "War!" Shawn Kettering; Tess Rohan as Cher and Ashley Parker as Sonny; "The Beatles"

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