The third Mountain Theatre Company “Home for the Holidays” production might be its most interactive yet, according to choreographer Erin Knowles.
“This show can probably appeal to more audience than before,” she said. “It’s almost immersive. We have snow falling on your heads in the crowd. There’s the smell of hot chocolate coming to your nose as we do the song ‘Hot Chocolate.’ It’s a little bit of everything someone can find to enjoy.”
The show, which runs every year with new songs and parts, is “pure Christmas cheer,” she said – there’s no script or dialogue, just singing and dancing.
Knowles, who has studied theater choreography since she was in high school and “grew up in a dance studio since [she] was six,” also did the choreography for “Catch Me If You Can” earlier this year. She said working on the Christmas show was a joy.
“It has a lot of variety,” she said. “It has swing dancing, tap numbers, ballet. I do like that it doesn’t stick to one genre. It’s not stuck in a bubble. There was freedom to use different styles and approaches.”
The show came together quickly – Knowles said the cast had only been working on the show for two weeks before its debut on Dec. 6.
“But they sound like they’ve been doing it for years,” she said.
She said the show was appropriate for everyone – with material that could connect with “children, adults, grandparents, great grandparents.” She said it would contain a number of “Christmas songs you know and love, though it might be a different version than you’re used to.”
And she added it would especially be enjoyable for people given the tumultuous time this year has been.
“It’s a show about joy,” she said. “We’ve all had a hard year, especially with the storm. It’s been a tough season – we had to cancel our fall show. We’re excited to offer this one.”
The show will run Wednesdays through Sundays until Dec. 22 at the Performing Arts Center, and tickets can be bought online or at the box office.