Yuletide Extravaganza

Modeled on the star-studded prime-time Christmas specials of Judy Garland and her ilk, George Harter and Musical Theatre Heritage's Spectacular Christmas looks like just the thing to jolt this town from its seasonal affective disorder. Tonight's event is the latest in a series of witty, high-concept shows with great songs, great singers and great playfulness. (MTH's tribute to Leonard Bernstein and its riff on The Pajama Game were both knockouts this year.) This time around, the Off-Center Theatre stage (third floor of Crown Center, 2450 Grand) becomes host Harter's apartment. As he decorates his tree, the singers he has hired for a Christmas show pop in, croon tasteful favorites such as "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," and prep for the show-within-a-show formal concert that makes up the second act. Harter says, "We think having a goofy, funny first half juxtaposed with the elegant, candlelit concert in the second half will be interesting, different and provide a wide range of holiday moods." He's joined by Jerry Jay Cranford, Lauren Braton, Cary Mock and the much missed Heidi Gutknecht, who hasn't graced a stage for five years. Spectacular Christmas premieres at 8 tonight and runs through the weekend, with two shows on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets, call 816-221-6987 or see mthkc.com.
Dec. 18-21, 2008