Grab a drink and a snack, gather the family around a video screen. For 55 minutes it’s a little easier to pretend that life is normal, that live productions of holiday musicals and special events continue to pour out of Cleveland’s Playhouse Square. Of course, things are not the same, but still, there’s a bright light in the darkness thanks to the Cleveland Play House’s virtual offering, “Songs From The First Noel.”
The CPH presentation, based on the original musical with book, music, and lyrics by Jason Michael Webb and Lelund Durond Thompson, premiered at New York City’s Apollo Theatre. It was then produced by The Classical Theatre in Harlem in 2015. This production is co-directed by Lelund Durond Thompson and Steve H. Broadnax III, both of whom talk briefly about how and why this musical came to be. We also hear a few words (promise, only a few) by Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb, Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House (CWRU/CPH) MFA Alum Thompson, and celebrated regional theatre director Broadnax.
But music is what it’s all about.
While there’s no play as such, we see scenes from the musical and get an idea that it’s about a generation during changing times. An assortment of beautifully done pop, jazz, and gospel numbers, some suggesting an earlier era, others — very today — take up most of the show. The music is warm, not too saccharine, and at times pure jazz. It’s a little reminder of how special Christmas — even in pandemic Cleveland — can be.
Performers include Angela Birchett, Ciara Cain, India Carney, Nia Caesar, Les Cleveland, Daniela Cobb, Jesse Corbin, Revel Day, Tina Fabrique, Ayana George, Chelton Gray, Kristen Grinage, Jennie Harney, Adam Hyndman, Lamont Hill Cassondra James, Ashley Ware Jenkins, Saivon Johnson, Alec Lehrman, Jonathan Linden, Aaron Marcellus, Benjamin Moore, Carlos Ricketts, Kenneth Robinson, Soara-Joye Ross, Jared Schonig, Anderlyn Smith, Teresa Stanley, Skye Dakota Turner, Tiffany Webb Stoney, Vicky Walters, and Helen White.
Songs from The First Noel can be streamed via YouTube on a computer, laptop, tablet or Smart TV. The production can be accessed on demand through Friday, January 1, 2021 at 11:59pm. Viewing tickets are $10 per household and are available for purchase at www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
One cool feature is that it’s shareable with family no matter where they live. Another plus is that it’s a great way to support one of the theaters that makes Cleveland special. Yes, that’s a shameless plug. (But act quick, the show will vanish by New Year’s Day.)
[Written by Laura Kennelly]