By Michael Buzzelli
Tired of traditional Christmas events with happy, sappy songs and goofy holiday cheer? Then you’re ready for Vigilance Theater Group’s Spooky Holiday, which is more kooky than spooky, but a guaranteed good time.
It’s in the least likely venue for a holiday party, Grim Wizard Coffee in the heart of Allentown. The coffee shop is laden with quirky knick-knacks that look like they were curated by Gomez and Morticia Addams, with weird and wonderful art inspired by Hieronymus Bosch.
Creative Director and Emcee Sean Collier welcomes an assortment of unusual performances to the stage in an evening that promises comedy, burlesque, music, and seasonal hijinks.
Collier, a writer and stand-up comedian, has an easy charm on stage, and even when he stumbles or stammers, he’s enjoyable to watch.
Seasonal hijinks include a strange array of Christmas folx. There was Buttons the Elf (Isaac Miller, last seen in “Enron”), a chimney sweep (Allie Lampman-Simms, last seen in “Campfire Stories from Camp Guyasuta”), and Santa Claus (there’s only one Santa Claus).
Eden Ivy and Amoxie Villain, most likely to be on Santa’s naughty list, performed sexy burlesque numbers (hotter than the coffee in the aforementioned coffee shop).
Stand-up comedy, Kimberly Bennett regaled the audience with a plethora of jokes, some naughty, some nice, all funny.
Bevin Baker, who sang two incredible songs: the Counting Crows’ “Long December” and Tori Amos’s “Icicle,” was an incredible moment on stage. It was worth the price of admission.
Buy a wrapped Christmas gift and discover a surprise, or play it safe and get a trio of homemade cookies.
Even though Santa makes an appearance, it’s best to leave the little ones at home, or you’ll get coal in your stockings.
Its a weird, wonderful and very different Christmas show.
-MB
There are a few tickets left for Vigilance Theater Group’s Spooky Holiday, which runs one more night on Wednesday, December 10, at Wizard Coffee, 1206 Arlington Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. For tickets and additional information, click here.
