Holiday Cheer Exploded: On Stage at The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular
Behind the scenes and in performance with the fifth annual holiday celebration.
Broadway nightspot 54 Below rang in the holiday season on December 14 and 15 with the 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular, an environmental rock-and-roll concert-revue that has become a cult favorite. Directed by John Simpkins and produced by Jennifer Ashley Tepper, the production, hosted by Drama Desk nominee Iconis, featured a cast of three-dozen and special guests including Santa Claus, Jesus, Charles Dickens, Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris (currently of Evita), Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies), Kimberly Kaye (Loose Cattle), Susan Blackwell ([title of show]), and Annie Golden (The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World). Songs included Christmastime favorites like "Santa Baby," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Hard Candy Christmas," and "Fairytale of New York," along with a few of Iconis' own compositions.
We followed the cast from rehearsal room to their closing night performance at 54 Below for this slideshow of holiday merriment.
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In the studio on Wednesday, December 12, cast members Susan Blackwell, Lauren Marcus, Jason “SweetTooth” Williams, and Jeremy Morse go over a scene.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Badia Farha rehearses a moment with her deceased on-stage husband, played by Jordan Stanley.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Scripts in hand, Susan Blackwell and Lauren Marcus share a moment in their rehearsal studio.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Director John Simpkins offers his take on the moment between Blackwell and Marcus.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Badia Farha and Krysta Rodriguez learn a new song for the role they share as The Christmas Widow.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Joe Iconis teaches his cast members a new song for the concert.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper, host/composer Joe Iconis, and director John Simpkins are excited just minutes before the show begins at 54 Below.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Jason “SweetTooth” Williams plugs in the holiday lights at 54 Below as Lance Rubin and Joe Iconis look on.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Lauren Marcus plays A Sickly British Ragamuffin.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Rachel Sussman and Ashley Sweetman play Gertie and BJ, a pair of lesbian elves.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Susan Blackwell makes a special appearance as Ms. Needlebaum, the evil landlord who threatens to shut down the Christmas Spectacular.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Krysta Rodriguez tears into a brand new Christmas song written by Joe Iconis.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Katie Schorr appears as Joe’s Aunt Lorette from Long Island.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
MK Lawson joins the stage as Joe’s kooky West Virginia Auntie Toots.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
During a flashback sequence, the big-voiced Katrina Rose Dideriksen takes on the role of “Disco Queen.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
AJ Shively (right) shows Alexandra Ferrara his dance moves.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Lance Rubin and Eric William Morris (Mr. Macabee) bond over the ashes of Lance’s late spouse (which are in the candy cane).
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Joe Iconis is joined by the evening’s first special guest, Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan (who came bearing a festive holiday Panettone).
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Jeremy Jordan brings down the house with the Christmastime standard, "I'll Be Home for Christmas."
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
The evening’s other special guests, Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye, serenade the audience with their cover of Big Star’s Jesus Christ.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Joe’s Jewish neighbor, Gladys Levine (Julia Mattison), reveals she has a certain attraction to older men like Mr. Maplestone (Jeremy Morse).
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Santa Claus (Jason “SweetTooth” Williams) has arrived, and he’s not taking any guff from the Mistletoe Munchkins (Kristen Da Costa and Jessica Kent).
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
What’s Christmas without a booze-fueled fight between Santa and Linda Claus (Lorinda Lisitza)?
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Katrina Rose Dideriksen raises the roof off 54 Below with “Please Come Home For Christmas.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Taylor Trensch (as Mr. Chestnut) and Jenny Donoghue duet on a Christmas medley that includes “Walking in a Chestnut Wonderland.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Even Rudolph (Jared Weiss) gets to sing!
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
The Sweet Baby J (Bill Coyne) strikes a traditional Jesus pose on stage.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Liz Lark Brown (as the Virgin Mary) offers a steamy rendition of “Santa Baby.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
A Fast-Talkin’ Waitress Named Denise (Molly Hager) hits the stage to sing a life-changing rendition of The Pogues’ and Kirsty MacColl’s “Fairytale of New York.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Ms. Needlebaum (Susan Blackwell), now a happy nun, decides not to shut the show down AND gets to reunite with her long-lost British Ragamuffin daughter (Lauren Marcus).
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
George Salazar, who served as the evening’s narrator, finally gets to go on stage.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Jason “SweetTooth” Williams closes the concert with Joe Iconis’ “Goodbye Song.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
But no one wants to say 'Goodbye.'
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
The full company joins in on “Goodbye Song.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Annie Golden (as The Rock and Roll Christmas Angel) offers up a Christmas wish.
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
Snow rains down on 54 Below during the very last number, “Baby Please Come Home.”
(© David Gordon)
(© David Gordon)
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