REVIEW: Follidays spreads Christmas cheer in style

By Diana Nollen

CEDAR RAPIDS - A new tradition is off to a fine start.

Orchestra Iowa and the Follies family have teamed up for a new kind of holiday pops event, “Follidays: Hooray for Holidays!”

About 675 people clapped and cheered and to their team gave a whistle at Friday night's premiere in Sinclair Auditorium at Coe College. The show continues tonight (Saturday, Dec. 19)  and wraps up Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets were getting scarce by Saturday morning. To check for availability, go to www.orchestraiowa.org If you miss out this year, make plans for next year and buy early.

The Follies and Orchestra Iowa have stellar reputations on their own. Pool their resources and you know you're in for some fine frosty fun.

The show is divided into eras, with a ribbon of story tying them together.

Ric Swann adds the bah-humbug as Elliott, the jaded husband left to grouse on a park bench while his wife and kids go shopping. A stage bustling with singing and dancing to “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “We Need a Little Christmas” just makes him grumpier.

Enter a child to show him the way. Bentlee Birchansky strikes just the right chord of sentiment and cynicism as he gives Elliott a glimpse of Christmases past.

So many moments capture so many memories so well.

The adorable kids' chorus is oh so sweet singing the Charlie Brown tune, “Christmas Time is Here,” and later leaves everyone laughing with their rollicking “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”

The stage always lights up when Doug Jackson appears, this time as a sequined Santa leading a spirited round of “What Christmas Means to Me.” A special costuming nod goes to Mary Kay Brandt for the elves, decked in holiday style from their pointy ears to their green satin breeches, striped socks and curly-toed slippers.

Amy Stoner and Zach Parker put a delicious spin on “Baby, It's Cold Outside,” with a role-reversal that has Parker squirming under Stoner's prowl.

Michelle Philgreen adds her usual creative touch to the choreography, especially on “Skater's Waltz,” the swing numbers in the Hollywood Canteen and the precision drills by the high-kicking Rockettes.

The show's loveliest moments come in the simple solo spotlights, with a World War II soldier's wife dreaming of a “White Christmas” and her husband promising “I'll be Home for Christmas.” No fancy dances, costumes or glitz, just the simple beauty of Angela Meisterling and Nathan Cooper pouring their hearts into the moment.

A special treat in the background - rising to the foreground with some blistering boogie-woogie bugles and saxophones - is the always amazing Orchestra Iowa led by Timothy Hankewich. The fun shooting from his fingertips spreads cheer throughout the program. It's always a treat when gets into the sing of things, this time swinging through “Jingle Bells.”

The hilarious highlight of the evening is one I can't divulge. It would spoil the surprise. I will say it involves some young people pining for their two front teeth, with a creative twist everyone's come to expect from director Damon Cole and his Follies masterminds.

FAST TAKETickets: $14 to $39 at www.orchestraiowa.org

What: Orchestra Iowa presents “Follidays: Hooray for Holidays!”

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20

Where: Sinclair Auditorium, Coe College, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids