On the Town: Theatre Banshee heats up the holidays

While ‘tis the season to become stressed out over the decorating, planning, cooking, shopping and everything else that comes with the holidays, thanks to the folks at Notorious Possum Productions, who are staging “Holiday Fever!” at Theatre Banshee, Burbankers have no excuse for taking a little time out for some entertainment and laughter.

Debuting at the Magnolia Boulevard theater this past week, “Holiday Fever!,” created and produced by Dagney Kerr and Chris Emerson, is a stage extravaganza jam-packed with great comedy skits liberally peppered with pop culture references, hilarious set changes and singing and dancing performances that serve as an homage to vaudeville and those classic 1970s holiday variety television programs.

Along with Kerr and Emerson the talented cast also features Christopher Aguilar, Erik Marion, Missy Doty, Matt Kelley, Holly Riddle, Peter Varvel and Michael Miranda, who offer hilarious tips on packing for travel, repurposing holiday items as wardrobe and accessories, and the dos and don’ts for attending office holiday parties.

Attendees will also be in for a treat as Doty does a rousing Moulin Rouge-style version of “Santa Baby,” Riddle deftly handles the lead on “Hard Candy Christmas” from “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” and Kerr provides a rendition of “Greensleeves” that will provide laughter that will keep you going throughout even the most stressful of shopping excursions.

With a whirling blur of energy and seemingly endless costume changes, the show even offers two audience members the chance to become contestants on a game show with celebrity guest stars comedian Nipsey Russell, aka Erik Marion, and football legend Broadway Joe Namath, aka Chris Emerson.

Along with the performers, “Holiday Fever!” is also made possible by Adam Hunter, Christina Robinson, Erika Lawrence, Ashley Clarke, Bettina Zacar, Donaco Smyth, Brenda Scaglione, Bruce Witkin, David Garry, David Marling, Gary Guidinger, Linda Toliver, Gil Zuniga, Lauree Enos, Michael Dempsey, Richard Pierce, Sean Owens, Rojeh Nazarian, Sam and Susannah Cotrone and Tiana Brinton.

“Holiday Fever!” is a great way to get into the spirit of the season by unwinding and unleashing some laugher. The show is appropriate for all ages and will be presented at Theatre Banshee, 3435 W. Magnolia Boulevard, through Dec. 20.

For information on dates, times and tickets, call (818) 760-1901 or visit https://www.holidayfeverlive.com.