Holiday Songbook!

I'm so glad I went today. There's another performance tomorrow, but I need to work 'til 6 p.m. and it starts at 6 p.m. But enough about me.

There were 17 compositions, with various combinations of composers, lyricists and vocalists, so there will NOT be mention of everyone. One composer, who chose to be introduced as Santa, was the weakest link. 'Nuff said.

Very strong included "Christmas Bender" (music: Jacob Yandura, lyrics/performance, Rebekah Melocik). This was a bluesy take on "just get drunk and get through this," but with attendant humor.

Some pieces were from the scores of (hopefully) new musicals and some were stand-alone Christmas/holiday songs by aspiring theater composers. From the former, there were two songs from Christmas Carolyn, a re-telling of Dickens with a been-to-the-top-but-now-back-down diva doing headlining in way, way, way regional theaters. In one, the powerful Janet Dickinson was practically a female Grinch, trying to convince her theater cohorts that Christmas Day should not be a day off, in "What a Waste." This was followed by "A Little Christmas Ain't Gonna Kill Ya," with the ghost of Ethel Merman (Sarah Pesek), as the ghost of Christmas Past, treating Carolyn to words of wisdom. Very funny! (Though I could have done without the cunnilingus reference—but I digress.) From the latter, there was a crooner-style, standard-style stand-alone ballad.

Two "but we're different" songs were included, one involving religion; one involving "my" traditions vs. "your" traditions (they decided to start new traditions).

"Moon in Times Square" featured a Karen Carpenter–esque-turned-belter in a nicely romantic New Year's Eve–themed song. Kudos, also, to "Santa Ain't Black" (darkly ironic, no pun intended) and "Another Tremendous Year" (a commentary on some of the gosh-how-great-the-year-was-my-family-is-perfect letters included in many a Christmas card).

No clunkers, compositionally or performance-wise. The closer was "Blizzard of Peace," by Steven Marzullo and Jennifer Allen*. It was a sentimental anthem-style ballad/belt (that seems to be what the "new" Broadway style is now) revealing how snow—even a blizzard—can make us slow down, relax, and enjoy the season and each other.

A fitting ending to a great concert; a fitting image for you and me this holiday season.

ConcertMeister

*I was fortunate enough to work with Ms. Allen in a touring production of Brigadoon.