‘Glitz!’ Is A Must-See Holiday Musical
By RUTHIE ROBISON - Managing Editor of The Greenwood Commonwealth
“Glitz! The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical” is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family.
Under the direction of David Dallas, “Glitz!” opens at 6 p.m. Thursday at Davis Auditorium. Additional performances will be held at 6 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday. A performance for residents of Beacon Harbor was held Sunday afternoon.
While the show is a take on Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” “Glitz!” features a fresh, unique story with quirky characters and lots of comedy. So it has the comforting feel of a classic that everyone knows and loves, but yet it’s a completely different tale that revolves around the drama and glam of the pageant world. This combination makes for a medley of big attitudes, big laughs, a lot of sequins, visitations by a few ghosts and a heartwarming holiday theme.
At the center of this story is Shayde Shams, the charismatic host of the Little Miss Christmas Pageant who may not have the best intentions. Although Mr. Shams has a devious side, it’s hard not to like his character.
Charles Freeman gives talented acting as well as vocal performances as Shayde Shams. He performs several solos, such as “I Got an Umbrella.” Freeman’s performance makes Shayde Shams a likable character — someone who the audience will see as redeemable, despite his “shady sham.”
The five finalists — played by Jana Dees, Sophie Owens, Rosalyn Washington, Laney Roach and Dhara Rathod — give standout performances with multiple songs and dance routines as a group as well as some solo performances, such as Sophie’s “Barbie’s Song (I Want to be).”
Dhara was unable to perform at the Beacon Harbor show but will be playing the part of Goodness Gracious McCutcheon for the full run of “Glitz!” Audra Cate Melton, who is playing Paula Porcupone, helped out on Sunday and did a great job filling in for such a big role on short notice.
These girls all do an excellent job of portraying their characters’ unique personalities — the Texas pageant queen, the smart overachieving New Yorker, the sweet small-town girl, the tough competitive Italian, and the bubbly girl who loves pink.
The talent portion of the pageant features some rather unique skills that the audience is sure to enjoy, including Laney performing Hailey Ann Hailey’s “Egg Nog Polka.”
While the finalists have a lot of attitude, the true divas of the show are their mothers.
The finalists' mothers — played by Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner, Rosetta Washington, Lisa Webb, Kat Coxwell and Courtney Kimmel — are just as fun to watch as the pageant contestants. Each believes her daughter will be the next Little Miss Christmas. The mothers bicker, talk about their lives and share their hopes and dreams for their daughters. They also perform several talented and humorous musical numbers.
Another talented performance is by Paulette Clay, who plays the first ghost of pageants past and the second ghost of a Mary Kay saleswoman. She sings “Atlantic City” and “Mary Kay Jingle.”
The show features a skillful supporting cast, eye-catching costumes and stage design, and holiday décor adorning the stage.
The musical ends with a Christmastime message that’s sure to leave you in the holiday spirit. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students and is free for GLT members.
For more information or to purchase tickets, send an email to ticketing@greenwoodlittletheatre.com, call 662-219-3822 or visit greenwoodlittletheatre.com.