The Charles Phoenix Holiday Jubilee
Charles Phoenix is an eccentric entertainer who has appeared on cable and even Martha Stewart. He travels the country presenting a hand chosen slide show of mid-century design, the kitsch and the classic. His retro slide shows have been entertaining people since the late ‘90s and his Christmas “Jubilee” has become a cult sell out.
The” jubilee “ began with the audience being serenaded on a Hammond organ played by Dominic Cangelosi the Hall of Fame roller skating organist who has been providing music for skaters at the National championships since 1969; wonderful and fun. We all sang along. Then Charles Phoenix arrived in one of three “outfits” full of sparkles and bright colors. His delivery is very comic and droll and he modulates his voice for maximum comic effect.
The slides were a total hoot and between the hairstyles, dresses, ties. Xmas trees, and décor, he thoroughly won the audience over, transporting us all back in time to the 50s and 60s. He even made us all some ambrosia to serve us at intermission, throwing in a hot dog and Cheese Whiz for good measure. I didn’t taste it. All the while a dancing fairy, prima ballerina Caitlyn Carradine danced for us while he made the ambrosia.
After intermission Bob Baker, bless his heart, in his eighties, did a Christmas marionette show. The background set for the whole evening was a collection of period lawn ornaments from the Collection of Danny Brauer and Jim Drobka. There was Santa, a snowman, gingerbread man, a nutcracker, Frankenstein, Betty Boop, and even Yes Kitty. Someone in the audience tried to fix Charles up with her friend but, alas, it wasn’t to be.
At The Redcat Theatre in Disney Hall http://www.charlesphoenix.com/