12/01/2006

Special to the Record-Eagle
Theatre North brings its revived and revamped "Holiday Resort — The Musical" back to the Trillium, opening today.

Holiday revue, take two

Theatre North revamps 'Resort' for another run

By AL PARKER

Special to the Record-Eagle

ACME — Combine more than a dozen musical Christmas classics with an experienced cast and the result is Theatre North TC's "Holiday Resort - The Musical,” which opens today at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

The dinner theater musical production, first presented in 2005, will be performed at the Trillium Restaurant on the 16th floor of the tower at the recently renovated resort.

Described as "A Chorus Line” meets "White Christmas,” the show traces a group of present-day performers competing to be part of a special Christmas production.

"We performed this show last year and it was very popular,” said Mike Kelly, who is directing this year's version. "For this year, we've rearranged some of the show, reblocking it to give it a new, fresh look.”

For the audience, the production is an early holiday gift filled with such musical classics as "Let It Snow,” "Feliz Navidad,” "Baby It's Cold Outside,” "I'll be Home For Christmas,” "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” "White Christmas,” "O Holy Night” and more.

"'In The Mood' is one of the new tunes that really gets things jumping,” noted Kelly. "And 'Sleigh Ride' is done by the ensemble and everybody loved it last year. 'O Holy Night' is a real powerful, emotional number.”

The production is written by Ronald Murden, with musical arrangements and vocal direction by Tom Stokes. Rick Buist is the musical director.

Several members of the cast are returning. Members include Tom Sisco, Buist, Bensie Benghauser, Rodney Woodring, Jody Kluck, Roland Woodring, Sara Quigley and Marie Lohr.

"It's a great strong cast,” added Kelly. "They're very talented and they really know the show.”

Theatre North TC is a semi-professional theater company based in Traverse City. Its first production, "The 1940's Radio Hour,” was also directed by Kelly. It ran in March and April 2005 and was a sellout throughout its run at the Trillium. Its most recent show was "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.” The troupe's first non-dinner theater production, it ran this summer at the Opera House.

Theatre North TC's next production is "Forever Plaid,” in March 2007.

"Holiday Resort - The Musical” will be performed on Dec. 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Dinner seating is from 6-6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8. Tickets for the four-course dinner and show are $45 for premier seating and $35 for general seating. Tax and gratuities will be automatically added.

For reservations, call 534-6390. A seating diagram for the show may be viewed at www.grandtraverseresort.com.