A 1954 song associated with the Christmas season called “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” takes center stage at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater, starting on Dec. 7.
“It’s our annual variety show which pays tribute to a bygone era when big name stars like Andy Williams and Perry Como would host television specials to celebrate the season,” said Danny Eaton, founding producer of The Majestic.
“This is our so-called holiday show as we welcome subscribers and other audience members back to our theater between plays which resume in January,” he added.
Eaton noted singer Ray Guillemette, Jr. and Ben Ashley, who are their Perry Como and Andy Williams only in spirit, will return once again this year to co-host the show. Guillemette has headlined countless “A Ray of Elvis” sold-out shows at the Majestic, and Ashley, a Majestic favorite, has performed in several hit shows including “Mamma Mia” and “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.”
Ben Ashley is shown in performance during a previous “Home for the Holidays” show at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater. This year’s show runs Dec. 7-22.
Joining the two onstage will be several veteran Majestic performers, including Kait Rankins, Steve Sands, Nikki Wadleigh, Myka Plunkett, Brad Shepard, Lori Efford, and a special guest direct from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
While the plot remains the same – each year Guillemette welcomes guests into his living room when the doorbell rings to chat and catch up on the past year as well as sing a song or two – director Stephen Petit, now in his third year at the helm of the show, does his best to keep things fresh.
“When I began directing the show, we introduced a new element to Santa’s visit where in the first act he gifts the performers with presents, only to be opened in the second act. Cast members are totally surprised in their reaction because they have absolutely no idea what they will receive during each show,” Petit said.
“Also, each year there are different performers who join a cast of returnees giving fresh dialog to a mainly unscripted show,” he added.
Guillemette noted “Home for the Holidays” allows him to flex his acting muscle in a show that requires him to be more spontaneous in his response to what other actors say or do on stage.
He also noted his responsibility along with other cast members to their audiences.
“People are looking right now for an escape, to step away from what is happening in the world and in their own personal lives. And it is our responsibility to provide them with an outlet to let go of all their troubles if only for a while,” Guillemette said.
It wouldn’t be a holiday spectacular without plenty of festive songs, and there will be many.
The show opens appropriately with “‘(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” sung by Guillemette, who later puts his Elvis voice on to perform “Blue Christmas” “How Great Thou Art” and “Hallelujah.” Guillemette is also joined by Ashley on the duet “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” as originally performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. Among the other songs by cast members are “Put A Little Love in Your Heart” heard in the big screen movie “Scrooged,” “Christmas Vacation” from the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and favorites such as “The First Noel” and “Silent Night.” A tribute is also planned to the late Tony Bennett with two songs he enjoyed performing, “Winter Wonderland” and the non-holiday tune “Let There Be Love.”
Mitch Chakour is the show’s music director and arranger, who will lead a band that includes Tim Hosmer on drums, Don Rovero on bass, and Cliff Schofer on reeds, while Chakour sits at the piano.
“Home for the Holidays” runs through Dec. 22.
Tickets – priced at $28 and $26 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under – are available by visiting or calling the Majestic Theater Box Office at 413-747-7797.
And, if you still need some additional stress release, the improv comedy of The Majesters will hopefully do the trick with the return of their “Holiday Stress Relief” night on Dec. 18 at 7:30 pm. General admission to the holiday-themed event is $15 at the door on the night of the show.
The Majesters, six actors from the Northampton area, also perform improv during the Majestic’s off-season summer schedule.
For more information visit the Majestic Theater’s website or call 413-747-7797.
