Those of us fortunate enough to regularly attend performances at Flat Rock Playhouse know in our hearts that the holiday season officially begins with the opening night of A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas.

It is the moment to turn the page on Thanksgiving and step away from the commercial madness of endless holiday sales and ubiquitous football games on TV. As the curtain draws back on Leiman Mainstage we are invited to immerse ourselves in the joy of celebrating family, friends, and the meaning of the season. It is a gift of exceptional artistry from the Playhouse to our community.

Indeed, FRP Music Director, Ethan Anderson, describes the show as “a holiday love-letter to our community.” And there is no better gift than love delivered via the Playhouse’s assembly of talented musicians, singers, and dancers.

—-

Each year at this time, the venerable theater undergoes a magical metamorphosis, enveloping itself in the enchanting spirit of Christmas. Adorned with an array of trees, delicately draped with twinkling lights that cast a warm, festive glow, the Playhouse becomes a beacon of yuletide joy. Wreaths, garlands, vibrant ribbons, and bows dance throughout the space, transforming the theatre into a winter wonderland. The sights, the sounds, and especially the happy smiles of fellow patrons will touch the hearts of even the most jaded among us. Playhouse guests are invited to step into a world where the magic of the season comes alive on and off the stage.

Although this is the 7th Annual Playhouse Christmas, the FRP cast and crew have once again assembled an all-new show featuring timeless holiday classics interspersed with several tunes that will be new favorites for thoroughly entertained audiences.

The spirit and energy of the season course through the entire repertoire of the show, but a few favorites stand out. The Happy Elf hits the stage early in the performance featuring J. Taylor Wright’s rendition as the happiest elf amidst a sea of young elf dancers from the Pat School of Dance. The youthful and exuberant dancers light up the stage with their boundless energy and a sea of luminous smiles

Maddie Frank’s rendition of Boogie Boogie Santa Claus is the perfect vehicle to showcase her exceptional voice and ability to connect with the audience by virtue of her incredibly expressive face. Of course, the production featured more serious and reverent numbers, perhaps none more timely and moving than Brandon Keith Rogers’ Someday at Christmas which packs a heartfelt punch at a time when the world feels to be coming apart at the seams. Brandon will be remembered as the lead in FRP’s 2022 presentation of West Side Story and his return to the stage is a delightful reminder of his exceptional voice and stage presence. The grand finale, Joy to the World, is both a timeless classic and a tribute to the hope and comfort provided by the many great performances that graced the Leiman Mainstage during the course of the 2023 season.

Serving as able accompanists – and occasionally featured – were FRP Music Director Ethan Anderson’s small but mighty band and the lovely local voices of the Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus. Ashli Crump’s virtuosity as a costume designer was on full and dazzling display as singers and dancers performed in an impressively delightful array of holiday attire. The seasonal set design, lighting, and the ambiance afforded by animated projections on the backdrop worked seamlessly to create a winter wonderland for all the senses.

As a veteran watcher of decades worth of holiday specials, musical revues, and pageants, I am particularly compelled to share a special note of thanks to the young men and women of Pat’s School of Dance. The wonderful young dancers provide a fresh and vivacious perspective reminding us that the season is best enjoyed through the eyes of a young person. Even for those among us who have been down this Christmas road more times than we’d care to admit, the excitement and joy of their dance numbers is palpable and leaves no room for the bah-humbug that occasionally lurks in the recesses of our hearts.

At its heart, A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas is a nod to the traditions and memories that make the holiday season so special. In a small community like ours, holiday traditions hold an importance that goes beyond the surface of festive celebrations. Our shared and cherished customs weave a tapestry of community, forging connections between family members, neighbors and the several generations filling the audience. These traditions not only foster a strong sense of belonging but also offer a comforting stability - reminding us of the joy to be found when celebrating together.

FRP Artistic Director Lisa Bryant is particularly proud that the Playhouse has continuously found ways to overcome the obstacles that threaten so many art organizations today. “What has always been true at FRP is that for 70 years, the will, grit, passion, and talent of the Vagabond community continues to persist and evolve. We want to make our community proud to have a nationally recognized professional theatre right here at home.” Indeed, the fact that we are all treated to a 7th rendition of this holiday tradition is a testament to that grit, passion, and talent.

Ultimately, this year’s A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas is the perfect culmination of the Playhouse’s most successful season in years. Sitting in the theater for one last time in 2023, the smiles, applause, and rousing ovation at the conclusion of the show are a fitting celebration of all the excellent entertainment and creative energy that FRP brought to us throughout the 2023 season.

There is much to be grateful for when we consider the role of Flat Rock Playhouse and its annual production of A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas in the collective narrative of our community. It is both a wonderful tradition … and the perfect gift for all of us this holiday season.

——

Showtimes and Tickets Here

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas Playbill