Skip to main content
All Posts By

Joe Cillo

Transcendence Broadway Holiday

By Joseph Cillo

 


A Festive Celebration !!

Broadway Holiday is a sparkling gift of music and joy, wrapped up in the magic of the season. Featuring a delightful blend of holiday classics, Broadway flair, and clever surprises, this show is a must-see for anyone looking to revel in the spirit of the holidays. It’s the perfect way to light up your December with warmth, laughter, and heart.

A Cozy, Nostalgic Beginning
The show opens with Believe from The Polar Express, immediately evoking the wonder of the season. Cool Yule, channeling the charm of Louis Armstrong, adds a jazzy sparkle, while Sleigh Ride and Jing-a-Ling, Jing-a-Ling (reminiscent of The Andrews Sisters) bring a classic holiday vibe that feels like a cozy trip down memory lane.

Holiday traditions shine in unexpected ways, with 8 Days of Hanukkah bringing soulful energy courtesy of Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. Zac Brown Band’s Colder Weather offers a reflective and tender moment, while 12 Days of Christmas takes the spotlight as a show-stopper, hilariously mismatching references and keeping the audience roaring with laughter. This creative twist on a classic is one of the night’s most delightful surprises.

The act wraps up with inventive highlights like Latke Recipe and the powerful If I Can Dream by Elvis, leaving the audience eager for Act 2.

Where the Holidays Rock and Roll
The second act bursts to life with We Need a Little Christmas from Mame, setting the tone for a joyful and energetic celebration. Steam Heat from The Pajama Game adds a playful Broadway twist, while Winter on the Rockz Medley cranks up the seasonal cheer with a modern, rocking edge.

Traditional holiday moments like Silent Night/A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes are tender and touching, offering a pause for reflection amid the fun. Playful numbers like Man with the Bag and Me & Mrs. Claus keep the mood lighthearted and fun, while the grand finale—White Christmas/Happy Holiday—is a timeless Irving Berlin classic that sends audiences home humming with holiday cheer.

Holiday Performance Highlights


photo credit: Rob Martel

Perfect for the Holidays 
Broadway Holiday is a jubilant celebration of the season, brimming with joy, nostalgia, and creative energy. It’s a show for everyone—whether you’re bringing the family, enjoying a festive night with friends, or simply indulging in the magic of the holidays. This production will fill your heart with warmth and your soul with the sparkle of the season.

How to See the Show
After its limited run at Marin Theatre, Broadway Holiday continues its holiday magic at the historic Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma on December 18 and 19, with additional performances to delight more audiences. Don’t miss this chance to experience the show in one of the region’s most charming venues.

 

Tickets are selling fast — act quickly! Reserve your seats now at Marin Theatre’s website or call their box office at (415) 388-5200 for Marin performances. For Sebastiani Theatre performances, visit Sebastiani Theatre’s website or call (707) 996-9756. This is the holiday treat be sure to see and enjoy!

Little Women

By Joseph Cillo

 

Hits All the Right Notes

Sonoma Arts Live’s Little Women the Musical is a dazzling, toe-tapping journey into the lives of the March sisters—a family so full of charm, drama, and sisterly squabbles, you’ll feel like you’ve been adopted on the spot. This show takes Louisa May Alcott’s classic story, gives it a melodic boost, and leaves you wondering why your own family doesn’t burst into song about their problems.

Here’s the plot in a nutshell: Meg is the reliable older sister who dreams of settling down, Jo is a literary firecracker trying to take on the world with her pen, Beth is the kind soul who’ll make you cry just by smiling, and Amy is the youngest sibling whose life goals include traveling to Europe, making art, and always getting her way. Add in Marmee, their wise and warm mother, and you’ve got a recipe for a story brimming with humor, heart, and just enough drama to keep things spicy.

Sandra Ish, making her directorial debut with Sonoma Arts Live, has taken this timeless tale and whipped it into a smart, snappy production that never drags. Ish’s direction balances laugh-out-loud moments with scenes that’ll have you clutching your seatmate for emotional support (and maybe their popcorn too).

The cast is a powerhouse ensemble. Lauren Hartley’s Jo is the kind of hero who can melt your heart while defiantly stomping on every societal rule. Hannah Passanisi as Meg exudes classic elegance, while Joanna Lynn Bert’s Beth will quietly steal your heart. Emma Sutherland’s Amy? A scene-stealing tour de force of sass and ambition—she’s the sibling who always gets the best lines and knows it.

Photo Credit: Katie Kelley

The supporting cast keeps things lively. Nathaniel Mercier’s Laurie is boy-next-door perfection, and Daniela Innocenti Beem’s Marmee anchors the show with a calm, nurturing presence. The rest of the ensemble delivers memorable moments that add depth and humor, from grumpy grandpas to sharp-tongued aunts.

And the music! Oh, the music. The songs range from tear-jerking ballads to toe-tapping ensemble numbers, each one perfectly crafted to tug at your heartstrings or make you grin like you just won the lottery.

The Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall is an ideal venue, drawing you right into the March family’s world. With holiday treats and hot cider on opening night, it’s the kind of experience that makes you want to hug everyone on your way out.

Sonoma Arts Live’s Little Women the Musical is heartfelt, hilarious, and wholly uplifting. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the March sisters or a newcomer to their story, this production will leave you feeling warm, fuzzy, and maybe even inspired to break into song about your own holiday plans. Get your tickets at sonomaartslive—trust me, you don’t want to miss this one!

Oncea-Lifetime Photos

By Uncategorized
 Doorway To Heaven in Big Sur

  orway To                                                            Heaven
  
 
Maple Ridge In Japan

  
A Hotel In The Netherlands
otel In                                                            The
 Sheep Going Through San Boldo Pass, Italy

 
 New York City Absolutely Massive Lightning Strike
Completely Spanning The Hudson River.
w York                                                            City Just

Under The Iceberg

 
Fallen Tree Is Holding Back The Duckweed

 Solar Eclipse
lar                                                            Eclipse In
 
The Way This Ice Froze

 
Smog Over Almaty, Kazakhstan
og Over                                                            Almaty,
  
 The Gulf Of Alaska, where two oceans meet but do not mix

 
The Eruption Of Mount Ararat

 
Philadelphia City Hall; Like being in San Francisco


Fire and Tornado


Bent Rail Tracks After A New Zealand Earthquake




Looks Like One Of The Buildings Is Draining Energy From The Other


Sun Curling Up A Wave




Mammatus Clouds KANSAS
mmatus                                                            Clouds
 


Frosted Trees




This Cloud Looks Like A Feather




Washed Car




Atop Mt. Javornik, Slovenia




A Pile Of Timber Reflecting In A Puddle

 
 
 
Lava Skull Descending Into the Ocean

 
 Sky That Looks Like A Rough Sea

 
Pancake Ice
ncake                                                            Ice
 
 Spiral Pine
iral                                                            Pine
 
 Clouds In Hampton Roads, Virginia

 
 
Waterspout Over Tampa Bay

 




Oncea-Lifetime Photos

By Uncategorized

 Doorway To Heaven in Big Sur

  orway To                                                            Heaven
  
 
Maple Ridge In Japan

  
A Hotel In The Netherlands
otel In                                                            The
 Sheep Going Through San Boldo Pass, Italy

 
 New York City Absolutely Massive Lightning Strike
Completely Spanning The Hudson River.
w York                                                            City Just

Under The Iceberg

 
Fallen Tree Is Holding Back The Duckweed

 Solar Eclipse
lar                                                            Eclipse In
 
The Way This Ice Froze

 
Smog Over Almaty, Kazakhstan
og Over                                                            Almaty,
  
 The Gulf Of Alaska, where two oceans meet but do not mix

 
The Eruption Of Mount Ararat

 
Philadelphia City Hall; Like being in San Francisco


Fire and Tornado


Bent Rail Tracks After A New Zealand Earthquake




Looks Like One Of The Buildings Is Draining Energy From The Other


Sun Curling Up A Wave




Mammatus Clouds KANSAS
mmatus                                                            Clouds
 


Frosted Trees




This Cloud Looks Like A Feather




Washed Car




Atop Mt. Javornik, Slovenia




A Pile Of Timber Reflecting In A Puddle

 
 
 
Lava Skull Descending Into the Ocean

 
 Sky That Looks Like A Rough Sea

 
Pancake Ice
ncake                                                            Ice
 
 Spiral Pine
iral                                                            Pine
 
 Clouds In Hampton Roads, Virginia

 
 
Waterspout Over Tampa Bay

 



Oncea-Lifetime Photos

By Uncategorized
 Doorway To Heaven in Big Sur

  orway To                                                            Heaven
  
 
Maple Ridge In Japan

  
A Hotel In The Netherlands
otel In                                                            The
 Sheep Going Through San Boldo Pass, Italy

 
 New York City Absolutely Massive Lightning Strike
Completely Spanning The Hudson River.
w York                                                            City Just

Under The Iceberg

 
Fallen Tree Is Holding Back The Duckweed

 Solar Eclipse
lar                                                            Eclipse In
 
The Way This Ice Froze

 
Smog Over Almaty, Kazakhstan
og Over                                                            Almaty,
  
 The Gulf Of Alaska, where two oceans meet but do not mix

 
The Eruption Of Mount Ararat

 
Philadelphia City Hall; Like being in San Francisco


Fire and Tornado


Bent Rail Tracks After A New Zealand Earthquake




Looks Like One Of The Buildings Is Draining Energy From The Other


Sun Curling Up A Wave




Mammatus Clouds KANSAS
mmatus                                                            Clouds
 


Frosted Trees




This Cloud Looks Like A Feather




Washed Car




Atop Mt. Javornik, Slovenia




A Pile Of Timber Reflecting In A Puddle

 
 
 
Lava Skull Descending Into the Ocean

 
 Sky That Looks Like A Rough Sea

 
Pancake Ice
ncake                                                            Ice
 
 Spiral Pine
iral                                                            Pine
 
 Clouds In Hampton Roads, Virginia

 
 
Waterspout Over Tampa Bay

 




Oncea-Lifetime Photos

By Uncategorized
 Doorway To Heaven in Big Sur

  orway To                                                            Heaven
  
 
Maple Ridge In Japan

  
A Hotel In The Netherlands
otel In                                                            The
 Sheep Going Through San Boldo Pass, Italy

 
 New York City Absolutely Massive Lightning Strike
Completely Spanning The Hudson River.
w York                                                            City Just

Under The Iceberg

 
Fallen Tree Is Holding Back The Duckweed

 Solar Eclipse
lar                                                            Eclipse In
 
The Way This Ice Froze

 
Smog Over Almaty, Kazakhstan
og Over                                                            Almaty,
  
 The Gulf Of Alaska, where two oceans meet but do not mix

 
The Eruption Of Mount Ararat

 
Philadelphia City Hall; Like being in San Francisco


Fire and Tornado


Bent Rail Tracks After A New Zealand Earthquake




Looks Like One Of The Buildings Is Draining Energy From The Other


Sun Curling Up A Wave




Mammatus Clouds KANSAS
mmatus                                                            Clouds
 


Frosted Trees




This Cloud Looks Like A Feather




Washed Car




Atop Mt. Javornik, Slovenia




A Pile Of Timber Reflecting In A Puddle

 
 
 
Lava Skull Descending Into the Ocean

 
 Sky That Looks Like A Rough Sea

 
Pancake Ice
ncake                                                            Ice
 
 Spiral Pine
iral                                                            Pine
 
 Clouds In Hampton Roads, Virginia

 
 
Waterspout Over Tampa Bay