Review: APT Holidames

By Anne Seigel, TotalTheater.com

Although viewers are most often gazing at these three actresses while sitting on a hillside under a starry moon, now there’s a chance to see them in a far more intimate setting. Holidames: Tangled in Tinsel is more like a valentine to American Players Theater (APT) subscribers than a Christmas gift. It is broadcast virtually, right to one’s home. The talented women (under the spicy direction of Keira Fromm) undertake a veritable variety show of skits, songs, poems and even a bit of Charles Dickens to bring merriment to all.

Those who take a magical, holiday ride with this trio will share the joys of the season, which are in scant supply during these pandemic days. American Players Theater, like every other theater company in the world, was forced to close this year due to the pandemic. This is APT’s first foray into the world of virtual programming, and Holidames features some of APT’s star performers. Each actress appears individually on a Zoom screen during the show. The sets look homemade, and one wonders if the performers scoured their own closets to come up with the costumes. One can expect red dresses and Santa caps in some scenes, and even a Packers jersey makes an appearance. The charming makeshift backgrounds are filled with bows, tinsel and Christmas stockings.

While viewers may feel some warmth and nostalgia towards these well-known performers as they act, sing, and craft their way through the one-hour show, the actresses aren’t shy about telling the viewers that they, too, are missed. They seem extremely sincere, with bright smiles that light up the screen at the thought of returning to APT’s gorgeous outdoor and indoor performing spaces.

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