“Home for the Holidays” cohosts Ben Ashley and Ray Guillemette, Jr., shown in a photo from 2023.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The holidays are filled with traditions. For many in Western Massachusetts, that includes the Majestic Theater’s “Home for The Holidays,” a holiday-themed annual variety show.
Director Stephen Petit described the sets, designed by Bev Browne and Greg Trochlil, as being “like Christmas exploded all over the stage, but not tacky.” There are snow-covered pine trees beneath a sky full of stars and the performers move around a “warm, cozy living room with an “old-fashioned” holiday feel, he said.
“All the shenanigans and Christmas fun aside, it’s a concert with really talented singers,” Petit said. The music is arranged by Mitch Chakour, with musicians on keyboard, piano, bass, drums and guitar. “Home for the Holidays” is co-hosted by singer Ray Guillemette, Jr. and the Majestic Theater’s own Ben Ashley, with appearances by veteran Majestic performers, including Kait Rankins, Caelie Flanagan, Tully Russell and radio personality Brad Shepard.
“It changes a little each year, but it’s a lot of the classic songs every year,” Petit said, who Petit began his career with the Majestic in 2003 and took over direction of “Home for The Holidays” in 2021. The music includes a wide variety of genres, from traditional to pop to gospel. He said, “There are definitely certain songs I feel like we have to do because it’s traditional and it’s familiar and that’s a part of Christmas, too.”
Even with the cast performing 20 shows throughout the run, “Home for the Holidays” manages to keep the magic alive through on-stage surprises, like an unexpected plate of cookies delivered to Santa Claus. At the end of the first act, the characters open gifts from Santa. Petit said the cast does not know what is in the presents, so their reactions are genuine.
“Sometimes, it’s something someone mentioned off-hand or a detail about something they really enjoy. Little touches like that keep it fresh, keep it positive,” Petit said. “The interaction with the audience, what the audience picks up on, particularly with the gift-giving segment” is “touching, very sweet.”
Petit said it is part of his job to make sure the performers are enjoying the show just as much as the audience. “If [the cast is] not having a good time, they need to come talk to me, because if they’re not having fun, the audience will pick up on it,” Petit said. In the past, he said, he has had more than one performer who “wasn’t big on Christmas,” tell him that “between the songs and the gifts and the fun, they ended up having a good holiday.”
“Home for The Holidays” will run from Dec. 5-22, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. There will be a show on Tuesday, Dec. 17 only at 7 p.m., with the final show at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. Tickets are $28-$30 for adults, and $15 for children aged 10 and under.
For more information, call the box office at 413-747-7797 or visit www.majestictheater.com.
