The Majestic Theater in West Springfield is where patrons go “Home for the Holidays,” which just happens to be the name of their popular holiday-themed show for more than a decade.
This year’s show opens Thursday and runs through Dec. 22.
“We knew it wasn’t reasonable to begin a new play in the middle of the holiday season, so the theater was left dark from December to after the New Year. So, about 12 years ago we put our heads together and came up with the idea of putting a show together called ‘Home for the Holidays’ that is based on the idea of those popular Christmas television shows of the golden days of Perry Como and Andy Williams,” said Danny Eaton, founding producer of The Majestic.
Once again, Elvis impersonator Ray Guillemette Jr. (A Ray of Elvis) will welcome guests into his living room each time the doorbell rings. They will chat about important events in their lives over the past year and about what they may have performed recently onstage at The Majestic, as well as sing a song or two.
Now in his 11th year with the show, Guillemette said it never gets old.
“Each year the audience creates new moments for us. There are also new creative elements that keep the show fresh, added alongside traditional elements that our audiences continue to want to see,” he said.
Joining Guillemette in his living room will be veteran Majestic performers including Ben Ashley who serves as the unofficial co-host of the holiday production, and Myka Plunkett, Tully Russell and Gene Donaldson as Santa. Also Brad Shepard, Caelie Flanagan, who will sing her beautiful rendition of “Cradle in Bethlehem,” Vivienne Damon, Michael Morales and Kait Rankins.
Steve Petit, longtime production manager at The Majestic and director of their Children’s Theater, who took over directorial duties for “Home for the Holidays” last year, is back this year.
“I had a great time and it was a lot of fun working with the cast. And what’s not to love about Christmas ... the songs, the movies, giving gifts and getting presents from Santa,” he said.
Each year, Santa visits the show and last year Petit added the idea of Santa in the first act gifting everyone on stage with something special.
“In the second act, they open the gifts. There is no script and they don’t know what the present is, it’s a little different each night. It’s a fun part of the show and the audience gets a genuine, spontaneous reaction from them. I try to find out through conversations during rehearsals things that they like and get my gift ideas that way. Ray is easy - Elvis,” Petit said.
Mitch Chakour is the show’s music director, who will lead a band that includes Ray Dandurand on drums, Bob Casinghino on piano, Daniel Thomas on guitar, and Cliff Schofer on reeds.
The show opens with “‘(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” which fits nicely into the show’s theme. Ashely and Guillemette duet on “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” as originally performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby, and Guillemette then puts his Elvis voice on to perform “Blue Christmas” and “How Great Thou Art.” Among the many other songs to be performed include “Somewhere in My Memory” from the movie “Home Alone,” “Christmas Vacation” from the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Bless Us All” from the movie “The Muppets Christmas Carol,” “Please Come Home for Christmas,” “The First Noel,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night.”
Tickets – priced at $28 and $26 – are available by visiting or calling the Majestic Theater Box Office at 413-747-7797.
Adding to the holiday fun this year, The Majesters improv comedy will offer some holiday stress relief with a special performance on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $15.
The Majesters, six actors from the Northampton area, perform improv during the Majestic’s off-season summer schedule and have “always wanted to do something based on the holidays with us,” Eaton said.
“I’m sure you will hear someone from the audience when asked to shout out a suggestion for a skit answer, “What’s the worst present you ever received?”
For more information visit majestictheater.com or call 413-747-7797.
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