UKIAH, CA.,12/13/24 – Looking for some holiday cheer and lively singing? The Ukiah Players Theatre is hitting the boards with “Hooray for the Holidays,” a family-friendly romp of songs and improv. The inaugural variety show format premieres this Saturday and Sunday at the Ukiah Playhouse.
“Hooray for the Holidays,” directed by Hannah Peterman and featuring the Sunshine Singers and the Happy Campers, is a one-of-a-kind variety show created to delight people of all ages. Eight songs, with solo and group performances, will entertain holiday merrymakers. The variety show also features a segment with the theater’s improv group, performing improv based on classic Christmas-themed movies.
According to the artistic director of the Ukiah Players Theatre, Evan Gaustad, the variety show will be a single act lasting one hour. Expect to find cookies, hot chocolate and cider in the lobby, and Santa Claus will make a guest appearance at the playhouse.
“We are also getting local, freshly cut Christmas trees for the event,” said Gaustad in an interview. “We are going to have a forest up there on stage.”
Gaustad, who started his position in August, is excited to bring new, creative events to Ukiah and to create a space to delight both children and adults.
“The improv will be entertainment for everyone and will be family-friendly. Hopefully next year, we will add even more Christmas acts,” Gaustad said. “We have so many people donating their time and talents. It’s going to be very fun.”
The inaugural “Hooray for the Holidays” variety show runs Dec. 14-15 at the Ukiah Playhouse, 1041 Low Gap Road. Tickets range from $12 to $85, and Saturday’s performance, at 6 p.m., is nearly sold out, according to Gaustad. Sunday’s performance is at 2 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ukiahplayerstheatre.org or call the box office at 707-462-9226.