A LETTER TO SANTA
Dear Santa:
Well, what a year 2024 was. With the way things are going, I decided to count my blessings. So I’m writing to thank you for that pair of tickets to see Santasia: A Holiday Comedy — it was the sweetest Kids in the Hall-type, holiday-themed Vaudeville show ever! Managing to be both tender and irreverent entertainment, it turned out to be one of the most satisfying things I’ve seen all year. I just felt all warm and cozy afterward. Oh, I had some hot apple cider mixed with Fireball Cinnamon Whisky in the lobby before the show. That might’a helped.
Chey Kennedy, Omar Heyward
Produced, created, written, and directed by actor siblings Shaun Loeser and Brandon Loeser for 25 years now, Santasia is a stocking stuffer of a show with, like, dozens of gifts in the form of dysfunctional family sketches, a musical parody of “He Had It Coming” from Chicago, a take-off on The Godfather, and other sketches like a Nutcracker sleigh-ride ballet with great music direction by Stacey Quinealty, and, like, tons more. They clearly have a loyal fan base — the place was packed on a Thursday night; returnees will always see something new along with classic bits.
Brandon Loeser, Shaun Loeser, Rusty Locke
The co-performers along with the Loesers are Rusty Locke, Tara Jean O’Brien, Adam Slemon, and Omar Heyward; all of whom put in, like, twelve thousand per cent into the slick and not-so-silly skits. The event was so unpretentious that I couldn’t shake the feeling of nostalgia, as if I was really home with a family that loved me. The icing on the sugar cookie was a series of remembrances from each of the cast that actually had me choking up; it’s clear that this elfish crew really want to celebrate the holidays with joy.
How cute is that set?
It also doesn’t hurt that, unlike the atrociously unfunny Jinkx Monsoon Holiday Show at The Dolby, these guys never beat a dead horse with their comedy: A sketch involving the Virgin Mary on Jerry Springer (a HI-larious spot-on O’Brien) wisely ended with us wanting more. And ain’t it pretty amazing that I saw better drag in Santasia than actual so-called drag artists at The Dolby? Sorry, Santa, I’m working on my anger. The near-death of comedy in the U.S. in these P.C./ “woke” days is getting me down. Oh, I guess you knew that — it’s why you sent me to the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks! My night there made everything all better. (But next holiday season when Santasia comes back, I am not waiting for closing weekend! So, couldja send me those tickets now?)
Chey Kennedy with penguin toy
Leitmotifs of Easy-Bake Ovens, discontented elves, a Chilly Willy penguin, and an Abominable Snow Monster are spread not just through the sketches but in highly polished films. The live-action and animated shorts are beyond impressive: An homage to stop-motion Rankin/Bass “Animagic” can be seen in a few shorts, but “Pulp Christmas” (directed and animated by Michael Granberry), which is about – you guessed it – two of Santa’s hit-elves, is riotously disturbing. Those were some tough-ass elves! I hope your proud elves don’t start storming your gingerbread house, Santa. Just watch your pack is all I’m saying.
Omar Heyward and Tara Jean O'Brien
Shaun Loeser’s scenic design is keenly in reverence to the imposing decorations he remembers from his childhood, and Wynn Zucchero clearly had a ball stringing up all of those lights. Tania L Pearson-Loeser did double-duty by not only stitching together a slew of preposterous outfits and creating some stunning hats like a cross between Beach Blanket Babylon and Ziegfeld Follies, but doling out some delightful and wholly original choreography.
The show clocks in at almost two hours with a break, which I needed cause I was dying for more of those drinks — I mean, cookies. I just didn’t want Santasia to end.
Oh, and I saw that the actor Omar Heyward worked with Fuzzybottoms Theater Company. So, I’ll get an extra large stocking next Christmas, cause you know how much I adore Fuzzy Bottoms. Just saying, is all.
Love you!
Tony
The Cast on Closing Night
photos by Brandon Loeser except the ones that Brandon Loeser is in, I guess
artwork by Greg Vickers
Santasia – A Holiday Comedy
Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks
closed on December 22, 2024
a live stream of the show for $10 MIGHT still be available; check it out here
for dates and tickets to 2025’s show, visit Santasia
