Okay, the full title was Broadway’s Future 2018, Holiday Songbook – All New Holiday Songs. Sixteen songs and thirty-one performers (not counting multiple pianists), so you know the drill. The evening kicked off with Cozy Time of Year, a charming, relatively simple song about someone who does not like the cold. It had a sort of Kander and Ebb vamp-style accompaniment.
The second song was a bit of a downer but it offered hope, as well. Next up was Judah Maccabee (A.K.A. That Thing with the Oil), a rap retelling of the Hanukkah oil miracle. A rapper with two back-up gals. Not my cup of tea, though the audience really enjoyed it.
When the Rain Falls in December had a nice way of weaving the main phrase from Do You Hear What I Hear? into a new song. And it happened the classic three times. A side note, here. While I was searching to make sure that I had the title correct, I learned that Do You Hear What I Hear? was written in 1962 as a plea for peace during the Cuban missile crisis. Underneath the Mistletoe was a classic pop-style duet, with real harmonies and a great feel-good vibe.
Then we got to Camel’s Lament, a song about those children’s Christmas pageants. A little girl was recounting who got cast as Mary, who got cast as angels, and who got cast as the camel. And it was her. But at least she was Camel #1. The next year she was Camel #2. And not the whole camel—just the rear half. It was very funny and very well performed (as were all of the songs presented).
One Last Christmas had a jazzy, almost country feel to it and was one of the few songs performed by the creators, in this case, the lyricist singing his own words. Also sung by the creators, A Very Snoopy Christmas was inspired by the Vince Guaraldi style of writing but also inspired by the lyricist’s real-life dog named Snoopy. Real-life Snoopy is getting quite old, and both dog and master are coming to terms with the fact that this will be the “last Christmas with you—probably.” It was sad yet also, surprisingly, funny. A great balance.
Wish commented on politics again slightly, including wishing for a moment of truth, no sarcasm, and a moment of honesty, among others. The Ones We Choose helped us to realize that family can be who we choose to spend time with—our hearts have found a home, and we are not alone.
Jewish Chinese Christmas touched on the classic Chinese food for Jews at Christmas scenario, though this one took place at a P.F. Chang’s in New Jersey. In each other’s eyes, the hottest gal and guy from Hebrew school are on a date, and slight mayhem ensues. Another interweaving took place here with the arrival of: Fortune cookies—pa rum pum pum pum.
Christmas Is for Everyone featured a female Santa and four reindeer who were at the Reindeer Training School. They were learning how they’d be helping Santa bring joy to all different types of people, even those who don’t believe. Because the reindeer are The Few, The Proud, The Furry!
I also liked This One’s for You, which was an anthem-like (secular, not sacred) sextet. It was quite enjoyable. Not all of the songs in the program hit the mark but there were also no clunkers either. And it’s good to explore newer music for the holidays. And both Songbook I and II were very well attended by two very appreciative audiences.
ConcertMeister
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