Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)”

Forget making gingerbread houses, driving around looking at cool light displays, or any of that other holiday fun stuff...I've found my new favorite holiday tradition!  Sunday night we went to see the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)” and it was fantastic!  I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard.  It was seriously a knee-slapping, side-splitting, hysterical production.  The whole audience was cracking up throughout the show. This is the 8th year Cincy Shakes has performed this holiday show, but I promise you, the jokes were not stale.  They have added in quite a bit of "current" humor amidst their special renditions of some of our favorite holiday shows.  There are only four

performers in this show and they are phenomenal, they really seem to have fun putting on this show.  I enjoyed watching them so much, and they were so into their roles, that you could almost believe that a few of them really were drunk tipsy because they played the parts so well.  And there's one moment in the show where things stop being so silly for a moment and Justin stands in the spotlight and recites a beloved quote from a holiday movie and it was so moving that I had goosebumps.  I'm hesitant to say much more about this show because I don't want to give any of the giggles away.  All I knew going in was what I heard from friends, that it was a must-see show and it is hilarious, and that's all you need to know as well.  Get your tickets NOW because several shows have already sold out!

Here's the official word about "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)" ::

For the eighth straight year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is thrilled to offer a full season of holiday cheer in just 90 minutes with “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)”. This hilarious production is a non-stop holiday romp through everyone’s favorite Christmas stories performed by just four actors in ninety minutes. Justin McCombs and Sara Clark, both now eighth year veterans of the company, return to poke fun at the holiday season, joined by Billy Chace, a seventh year company member. Miranda McGee, fifth year company member, returns to put her own special spin on Santa. CSC Artistic Associate, Jeremy Dubin,  returns to the director’s chair. This production is one of the most popular events in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company history breaking attendance and sales records every year. All tickets are $28, making this show an afford holiday treat. Audiences are encouraged to get their tickets soon!
What starts as an annual performance of “A Christmas Carol” quickly descends into a playful skewering of everyone’s favorite “Beloved Holiday Classics.” Using just three actors, a very tipsy Santa, and a little help from the audience, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” crams an entire season’s worth of stories, carols, and television specials into ninety minutes of non-stop laughs.

 A few more important things to note...the show is only 90 minutes long, with one intermission, and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company has a bar at their theatre to enjoy before the show and during the break.  They even have a special brew made by Moerlein Brewery..."Much A-brew About Nothing".  How cool is that?  And I don't know how I failed to mention this sooner, but this is definitely not a show to take the family too!  It's full of adult humor, adult language and adult themes.  Which I just loved!  So call a sitter, and make a date night out of it, or call up your friends and have a ladies night out.  Or even take your parents if they could use a good laugh.  Tickets to this show would be a perfect holiday gift! 

Performance Dates & Ticket Information:

Performances of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” are scheduled for a limited run of 11 performances from Dec. 16- 30, 2012.  Performances on Dec. 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28 & 29 are at 7:30pm.  Performances on Dec. 23 and 30 are at 2:00pm.  All performances are held at CSC’s Theatre, 719 Race St.  All tickets are $25.  No passes or discounts apply.  Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.  To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273), or visit us online at www.cincyshakes.com.

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at 719 Race Street, Cincinnati.  You can find important details about tickets, shows, parking and more on the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company website.  And be sure to follow Cincy Shakes on Facebook!  Cincy Shakes Photos by Rich Sofranko 

Disclaimer: I was given a pair of tickets to see this production, but I promise you that the opinions are 100% my own.  I mean it when I say I will endeavor to see this show every single year, since it is our new favorite holiday happening!  I suggest you do the same!