Review: 'A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas'
Even in these uncertain times, we can always count on A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas to set the stage for the holidays in Western North Carolina. This year, the musical extravaganza is a bit more personal with a small ensemble performing a selection of classic holiday songs that comfort the hearts and souls of mask-wearing patrons.
As a Grinch who is grumpy about the pandemic, tired of the political divisiveness and bewildered by invasive technology, my small heart grew three sizes this past weekend as I took in the revue of songs that I’ve heard all my life. With each song, I grew evermore grateful for the simplicity of the set and the creative arrangements that often had voices soaring but never blaring. The ensemble had four primary singers, two dancers and Scott Treadway as the host. The three-man band was ever-present and raised at the back of the stage with a pianist, percussionist, and string musician. It was just enough to keep up with and to enjoy, allowing the audience to get to know the performers individually. Adding physicality and musical depth to the show was a chorus line of dancers from Pat’s School Dance and The Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus, a group of singing volunteers.
The one-act performance had 25 songs and started off with everyone on stage singing and welcoming the season with “Happy Holiday.” The young singer Cornelius Davis presented a heartfelt rendition of “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” followed by a funny and animated version of “Christmas Don’t Be Late” by singer/actor Tauren Hagans and long-time Vagabond Treadway. Another young singer Katie Emerson took to a stool and spotlight for a traditional “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” She was followed by Jason Watson who sang “Ave Maria” in Italian while dancers James Du Chateau and Francesca Mancuso put the lyrics in motion with the first of several ballet performances.
The audience’s first aha moment was with “Angels We Have Heard On High.” Here an old-time classic was made new again with a wonderful arrangement sung by Davis and Watson. It was a great example of two men from different generations combining their voices that melt the coldest of hearts. It wasn’t until these men sang together that I realized the previous song, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” was also a showcase of generational talent by Emerson and Hagans, who echoed each other with warmth and precision. Either by design or chance, these two songs by these four singers were perfect for showing unity, harmony, and creative programming.
Treadway gave the evening a jazzy and appropriately greenlight version of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” As always, Treadway had the personality, wit, and stage presence to make us laugh at one of Christmas’s most infamous characters. Later on, he pulled at our heartstrings as he sang -- as he does every year -- “That’s the Holidays to Me,” an original song that is updated each year to chronicle the high and low points of Treadway’s life during the year. Now, that is a personal touch.
At about the halfway point of the evening, Emerson, Davis, and Watson sang a Celtic-style arrangement of “I Saw Three Ships.” That was followed by the band playing an instrumental sampler of songs from televisionland’s “Peanuts” cartoons, better known as “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” While in a light mood, Davis sang “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” but no matter well he sang -- and he did sing it quite well -- the showstopper was the chorus line of young women kicking up their heels. Yes, Virginia, we always hope for, wait for, and applaud seeing these girls channel the Rockettes right here in WNC.
Music Director Nathaniel Beliveau and Director Matthew Glover may have again arranged and positioned the seemingly unrelated songs “The First Noel” and “Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child” to create showcases of talent by both men and women and young and mature singers. As seasoned performers, Hagans and Watson gave a five-star performance of “Noel,” receiving extra applause. Younger performers Emerson and Davis followed with the gospel “Wonderful Child.” Both of these songs were perfect as individual performances, but when experienced together, they displayed just how cohesive and yet diverse songs and singers can be.
It was most fitting and welcome to have three of the season’s most iconic songs saved for last. Watson led the ensemble and chorus in what has to be one of the most majestic renditions of “O Holy Night” that you’ll ever hear ringing through Western North Carolina. Pulling out all of the proverbial stops, everyone sang “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with the greatest of dignity. The evening closed with all singers, all dancers, all musicians on stage for “What Christmas.” And just when you think it can’t get any more Christmasy, it snowed!
My compliments to Glover for once again taking the creative talent under his wing to produce one of the finest Christmas shows to be seen in the South. He started this tradition in 2017, and every year he steps up to the task of making WNC merry and bright with song and dance. But it’s not just songs and the dancing: It is songs and dances that are heartbeats and breaths of the times that we live in -- or want to live in. This year’s show is more personal, more intimate, but no less entertaining. I do believe Glover has his finger on the pulse of a community, a state, a nation, a world that is looking for that which is more genuine than fighting crowds and COVID on Black Friday.
If the holiday spirit has evaded you so far, go see “A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas.” Enjoy it while you can, for we never know what next year might bring. Don’t forget to take proof of vaccination, picture identification, and your face mask.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Review: 'A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas'
