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A Jet Set Christmas is Coming to Town
By Bianca Aquino,
2025-11-26Christmas at the Sierra Madre Playhouse will feature the smooth, swingin’ stylings of drummer Matt Johnson and The New Jet Set band, set to perform jazz renditions of caroling classics on “A Jet Set Christmas.” Some notable renditions include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride,” as well as an audience sing-along portion with favorites such as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” With a range of styles and medleys, Johnson curated the setlist of reimagined tunes alongside music director and pianist Chris Barron, vocalist Adryon De León, guitarist Miles Jensen and bassist David Miller.
“I’m a big fan of all things mid-century modern,” said Johnson, “So, we apply that cool, swinging, breezy vibe to everything we play. I think people who come and see our show will feel that effortless, kind of joyful, mid-century vibe.”
For audiences looking for a retro twist to celebrate the holidays, “A Jet Set Christmas” brings new life to timeless classics. The show promises to provide an intimate Christmas spirit for the theater audience.
“Growing up, there were so many great Christmas specials that were so sentimental, featuring celebrities. But also, it was during an era when this country was enjoying a real optimism for the future,” Johnson said, “At Christmas, you can’t wait to wake up and see what tomorrow holds, and that’s the kind of vibe we hope to spread with this show.”
Johnson, who likened the music to “a Christmas party from the ‘Incredibles,” a reference to the 2004 Disney-Pixar film, previously performed in the Sierra Madre playhouse with The New Jet Set for “Swingin’ the Disney Songbook” in March 2024. During the rehearsal, he expressed his enthusiasm to work with the band once again for “A Jet Set Christmas.
“Rehearsals are as rewarding as the actual final performance,” said Johnson. “I’m working with my friends. I’m working with music that we all love to play.”
Despite the members’ packed schedules – such as Johnson touring with “A Swingin’ Little Christmas!” starring actresses Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, and De León singing at the recent “FunXgiving” concert in Montana – The New Jet Set managed to rally together for the upcoming performances.
“It just worked out that Sierra Madre Playhouse invited us to do these dates that coincided with the end of ‘A Swingin’ Little Christmas!,’ and the band was there last spring doing our other show, ‘Swingin’ the Disney Songbook.’ I love the venue,” said Johnson. “I love the Playhouse’s mission in serving its community, and we’re really looking forward to being back there.”
Johnson credited the sing-along segment to the Playhouse’s artistic director, Matt Cook, who encouraged the band to explore their musical creativity. “There are lots of performances that do a sing-along. You show up, and the whole show is a sing-along, and the people are really serious. They know all the carols with multiple stanzas that nobody really knows. It’s pretty hardcore to do it like that. Then others are just straight concerts, so we’re blending the two.”
DEETS
- Sierra Madre Playhouse
- 87 West Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
- December 20 and 21, 2025, at 8:00 pm.
- Sierra Madre Playhouse website
- Tickets $25
- Phone: 626.355.4318
The post A Jet Set Christmas is Coming to Town first appeared on Local News Pasadena.
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Pasadena Media Foundation is dedicated to saving local news. Our publications feature provocative reporting about the Greater Pasadena and Greater Southern California areas.
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