Phoenix Theatre
Directed by Bryan Fonseca

A variety show doesn’t promise the best singers or biggest laughs, only variety. In keeping with the form, Phoenix’s holiday revue varies greatly in style and quality, from a group sing of “Rainbow Connection” (not do-able without The Muppets) to a gentle reading of Kurt Vonnegut’s "Sun, Moon, Star." Bryan Fonseca considered skit submissions from writers across the country, but I wouldn’t call his final picks the best of the best. Some sketches have funny premises, like one about a construction worker who collects boots like some women collect stilettos and another with a socialist Santa. Most sag, especially one based on “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The second act picks up with a skit about a holiday one-night stand and an American Idol send-up. Stephen Hunt sings from the perspective of a nerd ambushing coworkers under the mistletoe, and then two novelty Hanukah songs are sung in an ironic hush ala Peter, Paul, and Mary (Hunt with Amanda Lynn Meyer and Jason Gloye). Though Michael Shelton, Sara Riemen, and Gayle Steigerwald also have their good moments, the ensemble cast is ultimately upstaged by Phoenix staffers in behind-the-scenes videos that run during scene changes. On Saturday night, marketing director Lori Raffel won the most laughs as a censored Bob Cratchit to Fonseca’s jogging-suited Scrooge. Through December 20. 635-7529; www.phoenixtheatre.org.