LaComedia stages original Christmas show

"Christmas Spectacular," the current LaComedia Dinner Theatre production, is an original two-act musical focusing on the Yuletide spirit.
Written and directed by Eric Johnson and Kevin P. Hill, the colorful show offers a cast of more than 30 performers who act, sing and dance their merry way through a dozen secular songs in the first act and a dozen religious songs in the second act.
The tried-and-true formula follows an upbeat Santa Claus (LaComedia veteran Chris Beiser) in his bid to convince a few kids that he is the real Santa. It's a tough job, for sure, convincing them that he is the real deal.
Eventually, however, the youngster find themselves smack dab in Santa's Toy Shop in the North Pole. As a bonus, who should pop in but Mrs. Claus herself. After a few songs, the show progresses into the Nativity scene, centering on the birth of Jesus with carolers performing the appropriate tunes.
The singing is quite good and the dancing is very good. Without question, the highlights of the "Christmas Spectacular" include the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and the "Winter Wonderland Medley," both performed by the Holiday Belles, a precision group that puts some zest into the proceedings.
A minor quibble: the kids are too old. A younger bunch would have made the Santa relationship with the unbelievers a bit more poignant during the transformation into believers.
On the whole, this original LaComedia holiday show more than meets its goal of bringing Yuletide cheer to young and old alike.
"Christmas Spectacular" continues through Dec. 31 at the LaComedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro. For ticket information, call (800) 677-9505.