Twenty-five years and still going strong, SANTASIA has been delighting Los Angeles audiences with a hilarious sketch comedy show that focuses on the holiday season. It’s hard to believe that only six performers offer so many glances, groans, and guffaws. Spearheaded by the Loeser brothers Brandon and Shaun – both producers, actors, directors, and co-writers – the SANTASIA cast includes Rusty Locke (actor, co-writer, associate producer) and actors Omar Heyward, Tara Jean O’Brien, and Chey Kennedy. When these fellows team up – watch out, for Santa’s coming to town. Santa’s sleigh may be a bumpy ride, but it’s sure a hoot. Let’s join SANTASIA for their twenty-fifth holiday anniversary at the Whitefire Theatre.
Brandon Loeser, Shaun Loeser, and Rusty Locke – Photo courtesy of Santasia.com
Nothing is sacred to the SANTASIA crew. SANTASIA revives some of its forever crowd-pleasers – but also ads some new and demented sketches to make the holiday sparkle. Everybody’s beloved Italian Godfather Bobbo Natale is back – and it wouldn’t be Christmas without the cherished Nutcracker fairies decked out in tulle tutus. And then we have the toboggan ride of the century as an adventurous duo zip past snowy evergreens and a lurking Mr. Bigfoot to have the snowball fight of the century. What about the penguin who was always told that he couldn’t fly – and decided to defy the odds and take to the sky? Let’s not forget the eminently sexy Chippendale dancing strippers who thrill the females in the audience. Or how about the totally average Everyman family enjoying Christmas morning around the tree – just before the internecine battle begins. Too numerous to describe adequately, suffice it to say that SANTASIA has done it again with ingenious sketches to delight any left-over Scrooges or Grinches in town. It’s a topsy-turvy world that has kept audiences chuckling for two and a half decades.
Santasia Holiday Set – Photo by Brandon Loeser
In typical SANTASIA style, skits go from the ridiculous to the sublime – and most definitely not politically correct. How do those 20 pages of easy instructions to guide Dad in building his son’s bike on Christmas Eve strike you? How about the other dad who tattoos his son’s artistic creations on his leg? And let’s not forget the story of the Nativity through the eyes of a Jerry Springer look-alike. What is most remarkable about this production is the flexibility, versatility, and technological sophistication of the SANTASIA cast and crew in taking their holiday journey. Their special brand of nuttiness, glitches and all, translates into a hilarious holiday gift for all of us.
Chey Kennedy and Omar Heyward – Photo by Brandon Loeser
SANTASIA runs through December 22, 2024, with performances at various times and dates from December 6 to December 22. The Whitefire Theatre is located at 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Tickets are $35. For information, show schedule, and tickets, call 818-687-8559 or go online.
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