The Best (?) Non-Denominational Holiday Concert Ever!
By Christian M. Leeson & Cyan Gargol
Rem Lezar Theatre - Winnipeg, MB
V.6 - Tom Hendry Warehouse 
Guy DeSalle, a disenchanted and overworked middle years math teacher, is unexpectedly asked to direct the local elementary school Christmas concert. Having little experience with 11-year-olds and no real attachment to Christmas, what could go wrong?

Part satire on the tribulations of dealing with a meddling, bureaucratic administration, part A Charlie Brown Christmas, this show will appeal to the young, the old, the young at heart, and anyone who has experienced being in (or has had to endure) a classic elementary school winter concert!

Cast:
Nathan Costa, Hannah Schaeffer, Myla Volk, Aubriella Scarpino, Heidi Van Niekerk, Kylah Soronow, Alex Schaeffer, Philip Paley, Kora Dyck

Director:
Christian M. Leeson

Show Info:
60 minutes
Genre:
Play-Comedy

Audience:
General



Thu July 17 4:00 PM
Fri July 18 7:00 PM
Mon July 21 11:00 AM
Tue July 22 2:30 PM
Wed July 23 10:30 PM
Fri July 25 6:45 PM
Sat July 26 12:45 PM

The Best (?) Non-Denominational Holiday Concert Ever!

Rem Lezar Theatre—Tom Hendry Warehouse

What delightful chaos this show is. If you like children, if you have worked with children, or if you find the absurd hijinks of children occasionally entertaining, then you will find this show heart-warming and relatable. It made my wife miss her students, and it made both of us laugh, and occasionally sigh from cuteness.

Jordan Phillips


The Best (?) Non-Denominational Holiday Concert Ever!

Rem Lezar Theatre—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I know some people complain about the drive to get away from “Christmas” and be more inclusive. As a non-Christian growing up, I (mandatorily) played parts in school plays. While the Christian children immediately understood what was expected of them, I didn’t have a clue who Joseph was and what were the three wise guys? Kids are cruel, which made me the victim of ridicule because of my ignorance.

I’m happy to see non-denominational celebrations because children don’t deserve the treatment I received—especially when our population continues to get more diverse and there are more non-Christian people and children.

I expected this play to hit home with me and at first, I saw exactly the resistance behind change, and how so many people really hate change. I embrace change, when change is for the better, but change for change’s sake? That’s something different entirely.

Gradually, the play evolves away from being about the holiday presentation and towards an homage to the profession and duties of teachers—and teachers deserve all the lauding.

When the big moment finally comes and the holiday show goes live, it all goes off the rails and I think I’m still catching my breath from laughing so hard! Today’s audience had lots of children and youths and they all seemed have a wonderful time—and as an adult, so did I!

Tip: some of the voices are a bit subdued and hard to hear when the actors face away from you. Grab a seat closer to the front if you can.

Ray Yuen


Rem Lezar Theatre

The Best (?) Non-Denominational Holiday Concert Ever!—Tom Hendry Warehouse

Have you ever had to sit through a thoroughly mediocre Christmas concert? While sitting there watching the inanity unfold onstage, have you ever looked over to the director and wondered how they came to create the nonsense they’re putting on in front of you and have the gall to call it “entertainment”?

…Perhaps not, but Christian M. Leeson did, then he wrote and directed a show about it. This is that show. Go see it or my kids will cry.