Nick Lehan, Patricia Hurley, and Jay Frisby in “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” at Olney Theatre Center. Photo Credit: Teresa Castracane Photography.
There are at least three things your brain will retain after watching “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” at the Olney Theatre Center, and we hope you will catch this show before it closes on December 31. First, you will come away from the celebration whistling and humming tunes; second, you’ll remember every gift from the “12 Days of Christmas” ditty, thanks to a giant screen with each day’s depiction behind the four performers; and third, you’ll learn there are more holidays in December that need reminders, like National Microwave Day (December 6) and the secular Festivus, “for the rest of us,” celebrated on December 23.
…the theatre was decked out…for an evening of non-stop holiday entertainment filled with great music, humor, and heart for kids of all ages!
Artistic Director Jason Loewith appeared before curtain so excited to welcome us “Home for the Holidays.” For this uplifting and joyous celebration of the holidays, featuring four of Olney’s favorite performers, the theatre was decked out with sets by Nadir Bey for an evening of non-stop holiday entertainment filled with great music, humor, and heart for kids of all ages.
“There isn’t a venue in the country with more holiday spirit than Olney Theatre Center—or should we say ‘holiday spirits?’ Because we’re embracing the diversity of celebrations that bring families together this time of year: from the many holidays we celebrate to the spirit of generosity and giving that gets amplified every December. And we want to bring our diverse community together for a celebration of it all. This 90-minute, four-performer revue, created by Kevin McAllister, Olney’s Director of Curated Programs, with help from Christopher Youstra, Associate Artistic Director for Music Theatre, will share memories, songs of the season, and yuletide warmth, from holiday standards like “Let It Snow!” to music from favorite holiday movies,” he noted cheerfully with no mention that illness almost caused cancellation of Friday’s opening night performance.
Choosing Kevin McAllister as this show’s director was a smart move. Not only is this local talent a triple threat (actor, dancer, and singer), his direction has heart, seen in previous productions in Baltimore, DC, Toby’s, Dinner Theater, and now in the “Most Wonderful” show. He also has an eye for young talent— one reason, perhaps, he chose boyhood friends, Jay Frisby and Nick Lehan, for the male leads. It was great to see these two Glenelg Country School grads singing together, harmonizing as they did in shows created by Nick’s mom, Carole Graham Lehan. Equally gifted Olney Theatre veterans, Kaiyla Gross and Patricia Hurley, round out the cast, backed up by a lively five-piece band. The audience was invited to sing along to holiday standards like “Winter Wonderland” and pop music in the spirit of the season. After busting on the lyrics of “Jingle Bell Rock,” for instance, I’ll never feel the same nostalgia, but I will smile thinking back to the show.
Jay Frisby in “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” at Olney Theatre Center. Photo Credit: Teresa Castracane Photography.
While the show was a bit slow in the first few minutes of Yuletide greetings, things picked up and humor abounded when the character Jay (Jay Frisby) introduced us to Festivus, a non-religious holiday, started by Daniel O’Keefe in 1966 and popularized by “Seinfeld” in a 1997 episode written by his son, Dan O’Keefe. In the Olney production, Jay delights with his devilish tales of an anti-commercial alternative to Christmas like the irascible Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller) in “Seinfeld.”
Like the characters in the TV sitcom, Jay, Nick, Patricia, and Kaiyla are witty Gen-xers trying to make a difference, bringing on laughter with their earnest efforts. The humor peaks in the Chanukah skit—I loved listening to Nick’s Hebrew (which he learned from Judy Abrahms who works in the theater’s box office). In describing the Macabees quest for freedom and the miracle of the eight days of light, the four broke into a fabulous rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with Nick singing in falsetto just like Freddy Mercury. This scene should be taped for future viewing with kudos to Chris Youstra’s orchestration for the band. Wow!
On a more solemn note, Kaiyla Gross recalled memories of her African ancestors for the Kwanzaa celebration where we learned Swahili for Freedom and Peace and other prayer-like words. Each of the actors remembered someone in their lives who was an inspiration. Nick paid tribute to his grandfather, Bill Graham, who was the first actor/director and who was responsible for the program’s success at the Olney Theatre Center. Sitting next to me were Michael Lehan and Carole Graham Lehan (Nick’s parents) who laughed at the jokes, skits, and clapped louder and louder with each curtain call. Carole whispered, “I didn’t know Nick was going to sing ‘All Good Gifts” from “Godspell.” As we left the theater after a dozen standing ovations, folks were hugging and humming those tunes.
Running time: Ninety minutes without an intermission.
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” runs though Saturday matinee December 31, 2022, at the 1938 Original Theatre at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832. For tickets, call the Box Office at 301.924.3400, Wednesday – Saturday: 12-6 pm or go online. For performances on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, face masks are recommended but not required. For performances on Wednesdays and Sundays, face masks are required. Face masks are not required in lobby areas. Visit here for complete Covid-19 procedures.
