Get a bunch of local musical theater stars together and there will be singing. Plus some gratuitous kissy-face, lots of hugs and a little gossip about who's got what role where.
Monday night at Kalita Humphreys Theater, dozens of DFW's busiest professional actors mingled with family and friends at a holly-jolly party to launch this year's Holidazzle Act II CD.
It's a collection of 15 upbeat holiday numbers recorded over the summer by some of DFW's best theatrical warblers, including Brian Hathaway, Liz Mikel, Gary Floyd, Denise Lee, Sonny Franks, Cara Statham Serber, Max Swarner, Greg Lush, Michael Serrecchia and Sally Soldo. The performers are part of DFW Actors Give Back, which raises money for local charities. Sales of the $15 Holidazzle recording benefit Jonathan's Place, which provides residential care and special services for abused and neglected children.
Last year's Holidazzle sales resulted in a donation of more than $10,000 to the charity and producers Bob Hess and K. Doug Miller say they hope to double that this year.
Holidazzle Act II is on sale now in the lobbies and box offices of Kitchen Dog Theater, WaterTower Theatre, Theatre Three, Dallas Children's Theater, Theatre Arlington, Circle Theatre and Stage West. It can also be ordered online.
Our favorite tracks are "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," featuring the growly low notes of singers Jim Johnson and David Coffee, and the spoofy "Twelve Daze of a Theatrical Christmas," with funny new lyrics written by Miller. On the first day of Christmas in this version, you get "a star on your dressing room door." On the fourth day come "four feisty critics."
Only four?
