‘Another Night Before Christmas’

Where: Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 13-14, 20-21; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, 22 (Talk Back shows Sundays)

Special show: Pay What you Will 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19

Tickets: $20 adults, $12 students at www.olympictheatrearts.org, show door or 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at box office

More info: 360-683-7326

Rather than the usual saccharine sweet and holly jolly holiday flair, Olympic Theatre Arts’ latest musical highlights unlikely voices and unexpected miracles this Christmas.

First-time director Dan DePrez presents Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto’s “Another Night Before Christmas” for two weekends, running Dec. 13-22 in OTA’s Gathering Hall.

Christy Holy stars as social worker Karol who has a chance encounter with the mysterious Guy, played by E.J. Anderson III.

“They end up being forced to spend time together,” DePrez said, thanks to a cheap security system.

He said he purposefully leaves plot elements out to capture the surprise of the show.

“When you first hear about the show or see it at the beginning, it’s a story about a social worker trying to convince a homeless man he’s not who he thinks he is,” DePrez said, “and then by the end of the show, it’s the other way.

“That’s part of the beauty of the play seeing these two people clash,” he said. “The person who you thought was going to come out on top doesn’t.”

An adult Christmas

At its heart, Anderson said the musical shows a reality for many adults at Christmas that depression and loneliness exist.

“It looks at what it means to be an adult and alone at the holidays,” he said.

Holy said it’s a common feeling around the holidays that people aren’t encouraged to express “because we’re supposed to be happy at Christmas.”

“That’s the fun part of this show. It exposes the reality of what it means to be around family and all the expectations, do you have a boyfriend, etc.,” she said.

“(With Karol working as a social worker) it shines a light on the fact that there are people out there all year freezing in the cold.”

While “Another Night” confronts some taboos, Anderson said it manages to be fun and light-hearted.

“It does a good job of balancing the heavier moments with joyous laughable moments,” he said.

All about music

Steven Humphrey directs the show’s songs — all sung by Anderson and Holy. He said they’ve done a good job learning the music, done in classical and classic Broadway styles, as the tone alternates between internal and dramatic to comedic.

“Part of the story shies away from traditional Christmas carols, with one song all about getting away from it all,” Humphrey said.

Drawing from his career as a stand-up comedian and actor, DePrez said he appreciates the musical’s tone.

“If you have a lot of good funny moments and then throw in something serious it has a lot more impact,” he said.

“Every time you think you have this show pinned down, you realize there’s more going on.”

Both Anderson and Holy said they love the music.

“(I love) the way (Okimoto) shows both characters singing but talking about completely different things,” Holy said.

Disingenuous Christmas music is a large part of why Anderson said he’s not a big fan of the holidays. The music for “Another Night Before Christmas,” however, is deeper and well-written, he said.

“It kind of does poke fun at some of the tropes of the holidays that I don’t like a lot,” Anderson said. “It takes a frank look at that and does it in a way that’s lighthearted and has a positive message and being joyous.”

Back to childhood

In his adult life, DePrez said Christmas hasn’t been something he’s been intentional about with decorating and presents due to his work schedule.

“What this show has done has put me back in touch with all the great Christmases I had growing up,” he said.

“It made me think a lot about the way (Portland, Ore.) used to look at Christmas time 50 years ago, and the traditions and family things going on back then. I’m eternally grateful I had those experiences.”

“Another Night Before Christmas” checks off a goal he’s held since high school to direct a play, too.

“When I learned OTA was going to do it, I saw it was a comedy, which is my background, and a musical, which is my background,” DePrez said. “I thought, ‘This is right up my alley.’”

The experience has been a positive one, he said, comparing it to the acting equivalent of doing a triathlon for Anderson and Holy.

“It’s just as many lines to remember if they were the leads in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘Of Mice and Men’,” he said.

Anderson said it’s been a lot of hard work and he’s asked himself why he took on such a large project.

“I get on stage and sing one of the songs and say, ‘There it is. That’s why!’” he said.

Quick facts:

• “Another Night Before Christmas” features more than 45 sound cues.

• Choreography was led for two songs by Naomi Alstrup.

• Director Dan DePrez one reason he cast E.J. Anderson III and Christy Holy was because of the effect of seeing short and blond contrast with tall and dark.

For more information, call Olympic Theatre Arts at 360-683-7326 or visit www.olympictheatrearts.org.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

E.J. Anderson III and Christy Holy headline “Another Night Before Christmas” at Olympic Theatre Arts where they make up the cast and perform a dozen comedic and dramatic songs. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

OTA’s “Another Night Before Christmas” shares a reality for many adults at Christmas that depression and loneliness exist, say cast members E.J. Anderson III and Christy Holy. “It looks at what it means to be an adult and alone at the holidays,” Anderson said. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash