Remember the days of the Perry Como or Andy William Christmas specials: families would gather around the TV to watch them each season, anticipating which superstar would guest-star this year? Well, those are still the days in downtown Arlington with Theater Arlington’s production of Holiday Hooray: Theater Arlington Musical Television Special, an original musical written by the theater’s executive producer, Steven D. Morris.
The television network has decided to restart one of its former hit series, The Callahan Kids TV Show for its 25th anniversary. The problem is, the kids are all grown up and comically not well-equipped to get back on the air as hosts for a Christmas special. The only thing that can save the show is a Christmas miracle.
The theater will kick off the holidays on Friday, December 2 with lots of singing, dancing and lots of fun featuring some of Theater Arlington’s favorite performers, familiar songs and even an adorable dog.
The Theater Arlington production of Hooray for Holidays: Theater Arlington’s Musical TV Special is also directed by Steven D. Morris, with musical direction by George Sepulveda II and choreography by Dawn Conley Prejean. The production stars Lori Woods, Steven D. Morris and Micah Green as the wacky but lovable Callahan family, former child stars of yesteryear desperately trying to rekindle TV’s Christmas sparkle.
Aly Badalamenti, Landry Beckley, Hannah Bell, Becca Brown, Michael Green, Emily-Kate Ivey, Donovan Marie Lawson, Caitlin Martelle, Darin Martin, Josh Nierio, Jayden Russell, George Sepulveda III will add some excitement and sparkle to the Callahan family. , Truman Thompson, Kylie Thornton and the theater’s favorite furry actor, Leo Woods.
Stage and Production Director Maria Leon Hickox heads up the production team which includes Rebecca Rickey (Assistant Stage Director), Bryan Stevenson (Set and Lighting Designer), Ryan Simon (Sound Designer), Karen Potter (Sound Designer), Costume Designer) and Robin Dotson (Property Designer).
Hooray for the Holidays will open on Friday 2nd December. A post-show reception sponsored by Prince Lebanese Grill will immediately follow the show and will include a dessert provided by Cooper Street Bakery, the official bakery of Theater Arlington.
The functions will continue until December 18 with the following schedule:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday** at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
**The performance on Saturday, December 10 will be at 2 pm, so guests can enjoy Arlington’s annual Christmas Light Parade at 6 pm.
Hooray for Holidays is appropriate for ages 6 and up.
Photo credit: Eric Younkin