With Christmas just around the corner, the Good Theater is shaking up the season with a spirited tribute to the 1970s in its annual “Broadway at Good Theater” holiday show. Broadway star Kenita Miller returns for her fourth year, joined by an all-star list of performers, featuring Daniel Patrick Smith, who starred as Buddy the Elf in the national tour of “Elf.”

The Good Theater stage has been transformed into a traditional Christmas scene with one delightful exception – an iconic 1970s disco ball suspended above the stage. Two trees tastefully trimmed in glittering red and silver, surrounded by red and white poinsettias, bring warmth and cheer to the intimate theater.

There isn’t a dull moment in this year’s two-hour “Broadway” show, from Miller’s ultra-soulful opening performance of “What Christmas Means to Me,” to the rockin’ Christmas medley finale. Director Brian P. Allen and musical director Victoria Stubbs have packed the two-act set with a fun-filled list of ’70s-era Broadway show tunes, sprinkled with Christmas songs.

The first act on Friday included trio performances of “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” (“Company”) from Meredith Lamothe, Jen Means and Marisa Sheltra Brown, and “Easy Street” (“Annie”) from Lynne McGhee, Steve Leighton and Jen Means. Both numbers were animated, with strong harmony vocals.

Jeff Christmas and Laura Houck charmed the audience with their duet of “Not While I’m Around” (“Sweeney Todd”), with Houck’s facial expressions adding a hysterical twist to Christmas’ buttery smooth vocals. And the theater was filled with laughter as Smith and Conor Martin delivered “Beauty That Drives Men Mad” (“Sugar”), dressed in gowns worn in past Good Theater productions by Amy Roche.

Standout solo performances included “Broadway Baby” (“Follies”) by Roche and a moving rendition of “In My Own Lifetime” (“The Rothschild”) by Peter Allen.

Shannon Thurston and Miller, backed by the company, delivered roof-raising performances respectively of “Don’t Nobody Bring Me … News” (“The Wiz”) and “What I did for Love” (“A Chorus Line”).

The company of performers delivered nearly 40 songs total, with the second act as engaging as the first. Jenn Manzi and Smith performed a lighthearted duet of “Lovers on Christmas Eve” (“I Love My Wife”), followed by a touching performance of “I won’t Send Roses” (“Mack & Mabel”) by Smith that showcased the expressive performer’s sensational vocal range.

“More and More/Less and Less” (“The Grand Tour”) by Peter Allen and McGhee was a show highlight, with Brian Allen stepping in as the object of their admiration/hate. The audience cracked up with laughter as he pantomimed the lyrics with comic facial expressions and antics. His Barbara Eden-like genie was priceless.

Miller returned for commanding performances of “God Bless the Children” and “Lion Tamer” (The Magic Show”) that engulfed the audience with emotion.

After delivering a memorable medley of “Light of the World” (“Godspell”) and “Jesus Christ Superstar” (“Jesus Christ Superstar”), Leighton, who is the lead vocalist for the Old Orchard Beach-based band Beyond Reason, led the company in a rousing Christmas medley. The mini-concert featured such rock classics as “Ring Out Solstice Bells” (Jethro Tull), “Wonderful Xmas Time” (Paul McCartney), “Feliz Navidad” (Jose Feliciano) and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (Bruce Springsteen).

The Good Theater pulled out all the stops with this year’s “Broadway,” kicking off the holiday season with an evening filled with talent, “little known gems to delight” and holiday cheer.

April Boyle is a freelance writer from Casco. She can be contacted at:

aprilhboyle@yahoo.com.

Twitter: ahboyle

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