Alternative Wonderlands : ‘Dance and Sing’ Has Some Missteps

In a holiday season in which theatrical offerings include such big-budget productions as South Coast Rep’s perennial “A Christmas Carol,” the Old Globe’s new “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” as well as the upcoming Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Universal Amphitheatre, many smaller theaters are presenting alternative interpretations of the Christmas spirit.

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According to the program, director Deborah Nishimura conceived East West Players’ “Dance and Sing for the Holidays” at the David Henry Hwang Theater as a vehicle to give Asian Americans “a chance to shine,” but this bill of standard Christmas fare rarely touches on cross-cultural fusion that could provide needed wattage.

In the jarring opening number, “Life Is a Dance,” choreographer Addie Yungmee has slapped together too many of her favorite tunes. Yet this messy melange also features the evening’s two most intriguing moments: a brief percussion jam between a taiko drummer (Bryan Yamami) and ensemble tap-dancers led by Yungmee, and the use of sign language.

The rest of the program is filled with musical numbers sung, usually with some choreography, the reading of an adapted Christmas tale, and the Dance and Sing band playing two songs--one without dancers (“Christmas Time Is Here”) and one with (“Hot Christmas,” choreographed by Reggie Lee).

The cast features dancers of various caliber and competent singers, but Zar Acayan stands out as welcome comic relief.

* “Dance and Sing for the Holidays,” East West Players, David Henry Hwang Theater, Union Center for the Arts, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $22-$27. (213) 625-7000. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.