originally published: 11/21/2024

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. This season, the company will present thirty performances of different kinds, in locations all over the region. Next up is A Very Special Special, a Holiday variety show, on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 8:00pm.

This variety show will feature songs, sketches and improv that sends up the goofiness of traditional holiday specials, with a cast of ten performers. Vivid Company members Nicole Callender, Clark Carmichael, Laura Ekstrand, Dave Maulbeck, Scott McGowan, Becca Landis McLarty and Jason Szamreta will be joined by guests Darin F. Earl II and Alisha Sheth. Eddie Guttman accompanies the show on piano.

Sketches include the return of Candy Cane, North Pole Therapist, who is ministering to the stressed-out residents of the busiest place on earth at the holidays. A creepy Elf on the Shelf, a Santa who uses AI to make his Naughty and Nice list, a convening of holidays who are resentful of Christmas’ dominance, and more will take the stage. Musical selections embrace the unexpected, from Stevie Wonder to Kelly Clarkson to Joni Mitchell. A Very Special Special is a great complement to the more traditional holiday fare available at this time of year, and just as full of fun.

A Very Special Special will appear at the Oakes Center on Saturday, December 7 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $28, $23 for seniors and $18 for students 25 and younger. Tickets are available for purchase online. Oakes Center is wheelchair accessible; assisted listening devices and large print materials are available upon request.

Vivid Stage was founded in 1994 as Dreamcatcher Rep, and is a non-profit professional ensemble of actors who build community with the audience by sharing contemporary, life-affirming stories that challenge, energize and entertain. Their work has at its heart a belief in the essential goodness of people and the power of live performance to connect people through our shared humanity. They expose theatregoers to ideas and lives like and unlike their own with the intention of awakening their imaginations and creating empathy for others. They deepen the experience of all their patrons with personal contact through receptions, talkbacks, and interactive programs.

The company’s activities include mainstage productions, improvisational comedy and cabarets, new play readings and a variety of educational and senior outreach programs.

Vivid Stage, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

Vivid Stage’s programs are funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and many other corporations, foundations and individuals. Vivid Stage is an Equity Producing member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.