Christmastime in the City

Rarely has such a full scale professional production been produced in a house of worship. Entering the evergreen decorated church lit by Nick Solym’s extravagant red and green, we know we’re in for a lavish celebration. A holiday overture deftly arranged by David Clydesdale shows off acoustics.

Quentin Earl Darlington

Seven vocalists offer a panoply of traditional Christmas songs and contemporary selections with a couple of surprises.  Quentin Earl Darrington lends gorgeous, warm vocals to the popular “Christmas Song” (Mel Torme/Robert Wells) Chestnuts roasting by an open fire… and, gazing up with reverence, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” during which the church barely breathes.

Eden Espinosa shows familiar range with an angelic “Breadth of Heaven” (Amy Grant/ Christopher Eaton) and nostalgic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (Ralph Blane/Hugh Martin). The artist’s voice lands like gently falling snow. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (Noel Regney/Gloria Shain) emerges exultant.

Eden Espinosa

Eleri Ward duets “The Christmas Song” with Quentin Earl Darrington and sings a robust interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s “The River,” replete with some of the author’s signature slip/slide yodel. Tiffany Mann’s
“Joy to the World” (Isaac Watts/G.F. Handel) and tandem “Pure Imagination” (Leslie Bricuse/Anthony Newley) with “Christmas Time is Here” (Vince Guaraldi) both have soaring moments, but are hampered by swallowing of lyrics.

Eleri Ward, Jacob Keith Watson, and Tiffany Mann

Alysha Umphress offers a hypnotic “Snowbound” (Clarence Way Kehner/ Russell Faith) and an unusually captivating arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne” (text Robert Burns) by Campell and Francis. Duet with Christopher Fitzgerald of “Christmas in 4 ¼ Minutes” (Frank Galgano/Larry Blank), a cheery amalgam of song excerpts kept fresh and bright by the two animated actors, is a treat.

Alas, Christopher Fitzgerald’s rendition of “Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells” (James Pierpont-arranged by Thompson) is lost to a wall of sound. Known for drollery, the performer’s handicap is a disappointment. His “Count Your Blessings” (Irving Berlin), however, is charming, understated, and particularly welcome this season.

Christopher Fitzgerald

Jacob Keith Watson’s solemn “The Friendly Beasts” (traditional) arrives rich and resonant. A usually beautiful “Mary Did You Know?” (Mark Lowrey/Buddy Greene), however, seems diminished by Bradley Knight’s arrangement.

The capable choir’s version of “Fantasy on What Child is This?” (Text W.C. Dix – arrangement – Barlow Bradford) is splendid. Its “Little Drummer Boy” (Katherine David) virtually erupts, contradicting lyrics.

Father Eric Anders notes, “We’re here to remind ourselves that we live in the only renewable resource that matters – love.”

Joey Chancey and The Choir

A feast of the season.

Lighting throughout is splendid except for two missteps with geometrically shaped projections signifying nothing. Sound design (Hidenori Nakajo) is hit or miss. We often lose soloists to the volume of orchestra and chorus.

Photos by Grace Copeland
Opening: Christopher Fitzgerald and Alysha Umphress

The Church of St. Paul the Apostle presents
Christmastime in the City
Music Supervisor/Conductor – Joey Chancey
Choir Manager – Alison McCartan
Creative Producer – Hannah Oren
Directed by Jack Cummings III

December 12, 2024