It’s the most wonderful time of the year…because it’s Christmas show season for Let Me Be Frank Productions. On Wednesday evening (12/4), I had the opportunity to enjoy a warm evening inside the Meyer Theatre, checking out the 25th annual “A Frank’s Christmas,” sponsored by Diamonds & Gold Green Bay and Festival Foods.
So, what’s this story all about? Well, the holiday season is for family, food, and making memories, right? Well, that’s all June Griswoldski wants for Christmas in 1965. She would love to reconnect with her sister, Lisa Johnson. The unfortunate part is that their husbands, Ward Griswoldski and “Cousin” Eddie Johnson, don’t quite get along as brothers-in-law. A few too many games of sheepshead in 1962 left Ward empty-handed and convinced Eddie was cheating. It’s been downhill since. This year will be different though! Eddie, Lisa, Ruby Sue, and Rocky Johnson from Christmas, Michigan travel to Pulaski, Wisconsin to spend the holidays with Ward, June, and Wally Griswoldski. Wally can’t wait to see his cousin, Ruby Sue, again. And Rocky, well…Rocky is just happy to be included. Can Ward and Eddie put aside their differences to make this a Christmas to remember?
Not to be Captain Obvious, but we all can see the show is titled “A Frank’s Christmas” — as it is every year. I remember being asked when I was performing in LMBF shows if the Christmas show is the same show every year because the title is the same. I’m here to clear up any confusion anyone has ever had about this — it’s a new show every year! Frank and Pat have come up with 25 original Christmas shows now for every holiday season. Each year delivers new characters, new stories, new sets, new backdrops, etc. There have been a few years where the story is a sequel or continuation of a previous year, but it’s always a brand-new script.
However, the Christmas shows always have at least one thing in common, they always include Christmas tunes (again, I’m being Captain Obvious here!). One of the most impressive things about the Christmas show, in my opinion, is always the music. The band members and singers perform holiday songs we’ve all heard numerous times by multiple artists, and yet the troupe manages to make them fresh, memorable, and beautiful. Take, Jingle Bells sung by Sarah Galati, for example. It’s a song we’ve all heard a hundred times, but her rendition felt so alive and feisty, giving me goosebumps. And even though the best band in the land only consists of four guys (Tony Pilz, Pat Hibbard, John Singer, and Andrew Klaus), those four incredibly talented men made it sound like a big horn band was on stage. To top it off, vocal director, Amy Riemer, was able to add harmonies that made certain songs sound as though a full choir was backing the lead vocalists and not a mere handful of singers. Kudos to all!
Beyond the music, I always think it’s fun when the script splits the cast into two groups and then the groups play off each other in an “us vs. them” situation. In this show, we have two families, the Griswoldskis and the Johnsons. Watching the various family dynamics at play was humorous. Sibling rivalry and bickering were at their finest with Sarah and Tom’s characters. Seeing Paul and Frank interact as an authoritative father and timid son made me laugh out loud. Seeing Lisa and Amy play cousins doing their best to keep their families happy, healthy, and argument-free was also sweet to see.
Another aspect I enjoyed about the show this year was picking up on all the nods and tributes to our favorite Christmas movies we know and love. From describing beloved scenes to quoting famous lines from movies like A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, and the television classic, Leave it to Beaver, I had fun trying to catch as many mentions as I could.
Speaking of scenes, the gift-giving scene in the second act was fantastic. From the room split between the parents’ chairs and kids’ couch, to one of the poor kiddos getting overlooked to receive a present, to the matching gifts given to the matriarchs of the family, it was one to remember. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’m willing to bet anyone who sees it won’t be able to hold back their laughter.
As a final note, between the first and second acts, I noticed some of the music playing throughout the theatre was former LMBF Christmas show recordings! What a special touch to the evening — thanks Kelly Klaus, audio mixing extraordinaire, for putting those songs into the playlist.
A few other thoughts and highlights:
+ Amy Riemer’s sultry and jazzy version of Merry Christmas Baby was incredible! She just soars with those big notes! And John Singer’s guitar solo in the song was icing on the cake.
+There were new lights placed directly on the stage that added more warmth and color. Shoutout to Ross Loining for creating such an inviting atmosphere with the lights in each scene and song.
+ Paul Evansen’s version of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was quite swoon-worthy. I could have listened to him sing that song all night long. And that a cappella section?! What a perfect addition.
+ Sarah Galati’s The Man with the Bag was so smooth, rich, and bold (I feel like I’m describing coffee, ha! It’s a compliment, I swear!). It was definitely a standout in the first act!
+ Tom Verbrick going from the quirky, slightly dorky character of Rocky, to singing a heartwarming rendition of White Christmas was lovely to see. And the whistling – so good!
+ Lisa Borley’s I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas — WOW. What an amazing rendition that ended with a bang!
+ Pat Hibbard’s character (and costume!) choices as Cousin Eddie had me chuckling all night. His version of Jingle Bell Rock was a great closer! Ending the show on a high and happy note!
+ Frank Hermans did Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me with flavor, confidence, and energy. It’s almost as if he’s done an Elvis tune or two in his career or something 😉
If you’re looking for an evening out this holiday season with a show that’ll make you laugh, get in the Christmas spirit, and leave you in a great mood, check out the 25th annual — yet all-original — “A Frank’s Christmas” show.
“A Frank’s Christmas” continues:
Thursday, December 5th at 1:00pm
Friday, December 6th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 7th at 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 11th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 12th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 13th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 14th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 18th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 19th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 20th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 21st at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 27th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 28th at 7:30pm
Tickets are available at meyertheatre.org, ticketstaronline.com, or by calling Ticketstar at 920-494-3401. Doors open to the box office inside the Meyer Theatre for day of tickets one hour prior to each performance.
Two out-of-town performances will be held this holiday season. We’ll be at the Southern Door Auditorium in Brussels on Sunday, December 8th for a 3pm performance. Tickets are available by going to sdauditorium.org. We’ll also be at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.orgor call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information.
Cast: Frank Hermans as Ward Griswoldski, Pat Hibbard as Cousin Eddie Johnson, Amy Riemer as June Griswoldski, Tom Verbrick as Rocky Johnson, Lisa Borley as Lisa Johnson, Sarah Galati as Ruby Sue Johnson, and Paul Evansen as Wally Griswoldski
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
