Debra Heath-Strickland wasn’t going to let a sound-system Grinch steal “The 2015 Savannah Center Christmas Spectacular.”
The soldout show opened Thursday and runs through Saturday, and was — in a word — spectacular. It featured dazzling choreography, stunning costumes, joyous singing and the spiritual inspiration of Christmas.
But the opening was less than auspicious when, all of a sudden, the sound system went dead just as the singers and dancers started the show. An audible groan came from the packed house.
There they were – singers, dancers and audience members — stuck in the sounds of silence.
Along came Heath-Strickland to the rescue.
She grabbed a microphone, stood near the sound booth near the side of the stage and started talking.
“We’ve just had a report that Santa has landed on the roof of the Savannah Center and knocked out our sound system,” said Heath-Strickland, the show’s producer, co-director and costume designer. “This move was unexpected. Once we clear the reindeer off the roof, we’ll start the show again.”
People laughed, clapped and cheered. Heath-Strickland turned a potential embarrassing moment into Christmas cheer. And before you could say Ebenezer Scrooge, the cast of about 70 Villagers proved they were as game and resourceful as Heath-Strickland.
“We didn’t know what was going to happen when the sound went out,” said co-director Linda Berthiaume. “Thank God for Debra. She got us out of that one and we were ready to roll.”
And roll they did in a remarkably entertaining and uplifting show that paid tribute to the Rockettes, showcased Villages’ singing talent and brought home the true meaning of the holiday. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Salvation Army and Pocket Pillowcase Dresses.
Jeri Lynne Fraser set the warm and festive mood with the opening song, “We Need A Little Christmas.” Then the Questar Dancers kicked up their heels – make that hooves — to help get Santa’s sleigh ride moving.
Andy Malinosky and Janet Maloney made a delightful couple as Mr. and Mrs. Claus and shared their feelings about “The Best Christmas of All.” Judy Prior, as cute and cuddly as an elf, played the role of Santa’s helper.
Bill Krone comes from Buffalo, New York and knows a thing or two about snow. Krone teamed with Maloney, Malinosky and Sue Schuler to sing “Snow,” the song from the movie, “White Christmas.”
The Questar Dancers tapped their way through “12 Days of Christmas” and the Aloha ‘O Ka Hula Dancers, led by Violet Ray, put some Hawaiian swing into “Mele Kalikamaka”
Diana Cecil offered clever choreography on a sassy number called “Hot Chocolate” and some Questar dancers joined in an office type-a-long on the “Typewriter Song.”
The Dorels – Toni Booker, Earl Cash, Cliff Cook, Bill Rascoe and Harry Tresvante – are a group of soulful Villagers. They touched the heart with Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song.” David Leshay, dressed as a sailor home on leave, added a tender feeling to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Toni Booker of the Dorels sang with Fraser and Schuler in joyful harmony on “Winter Wonderland.”
Diane Vargas displayed elegant ballet moves to “Skater’s Waltz” with the Evolution Dancers. The Questar Dancers closed the first act with an energetic, “Let Christmas Shine.”
Berthiaume and the Questar Dancers turned into Rag Dolls early in the second act. They offered clever dance moves, curly hair and lots of smiles.
Jeri Lynne Fraser returned in a tight, red sequined dress and shimmied around the stage singing “The Man with the Bag,” with some help from four male dancers.
Schuler came out and did Darlene Love proud with “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
One of the highlight dances of the night came with “Toy Soldiers.” The classic Rockettes’ number requires precision, timing and effort. The Questar Dancers have been working together for most of the past year and the hard work paid off, especially on the “Fantasy of Christmas” finale.
The most reverent part of the evening was “The Greatest Story,” a Nativity scene filled with gorgeous costumes, uplifting music and deep religious faith.
And there was one person on stage who understands the meaning of such faith. Sunny Butler had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
She had surgery about six weeks ago and had been struggling to get better. She danced in a couple of numbers and basked in a personal triumph.
“I’m so grateful to be here tonight, I keep thanking God that I made it and I am a part of this,” Butler said after the show. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be on that stage with these people. I kept saying, ‘God, please let me make it to this show.’ It means so much to me.”
The same could be said for Debra Heath-Strickland who invested about two years of her life into this project.
In addition to the cast of 70 performers, about another 30 people took part behind the scenes. They are all unsung heroes, including assistant costume designers Carlene Beste, Beverly Castanien, Diane Copeland and Karen Donavon. The list goes on, and Heath-Strickland has a special feeling for all of them
“I’m like a Southern mama; these are my children and I’m so proud of them all,” Heath-Strickland said in her sweet Georgia-Peach accent.
And how did she feel during the opening scene when the sound went dead?
“I kept calm; I knew there wasn’t anything I could do about it,” she said. “I talked to the audience and they were so nice. That’s how people are in The Villages.”
Especially at Christmas.