Theatre Aspen returns with ‘Dreaming of a White Christmas Cabaret’

Theatre Aspen is ushering the holidays with two shows at the Hotel Jerome Ballroom this month: “Dreaming of A White Christmas Cabaret,” and the family show, “Once Upon a Time: Whimsical Wintertime Tales,” geared toward kids four to 10 years old.

“Great songs, stories, and food are the cornerstones of our holiday cabarets at the Hotel Jerome. Now in its fourth year, these special performances are a delightful way to ring in the holidays,” Producing Director Jed Bernstein said in a prepared statement.

“Dreaming of A White Christmas Cabaret” (Dec. 18-22) will begin in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Jerome at 7 p.m. each evening with a chef’s dinner followed by a 60-minute musical revue featuring Broadway and holiday favorites.

The holiday cabaret features several returning cast members including Erin Davie (Broadway: “Diana the Musical”; “Side Show”), Nehal Joshi (Broadway: “The Cottage”; “The Phantom of the Opera”) and Nathaniel Stampley (Broadway: “CATS”; “The Color Purple”). They will also welcome back Theatre Aspen mainstage alums Ana Marcu (“Once,” Theatre Aspen’s “Jersey Boys”) and Alex Ross (“Book of Mormon,” Theatre Aspen’s “Jersey Boys”). Patrick O’Neill is once again directing (“The Muny,” “The Boston Pops,” “The Old Globe”) and musical direction is by Tony Award Nominee Sam Davis.

“If you live in or have been to Aspen, you know how magical it is,” Davie said about her return. “So many performers long to experience it even for a short time. The room is one of the smallest we get to perform in, and that allows us to form a more intimate connection with the audience.”

Davie will be returning to the Theatre Aspen stage alongside her husband and fellow actor Nehal Joshi, who will be reprising his role of historic Aspenite Jerome Wheeler for the second year in a row.

“Jerome Wheeler was such a fun character to play last year, so we decided to continue the storyline with him,” Nehal said. “Jerome Wheeler is trying to create his own Christmas cabaret this year, and because he’s been dead for 105 years, he doesn’t know how to do that. So, he’s going to have some of his friends from all over the country come and teach him about the meaning of Christmas, the meaning of theater and the fun of theater. It’s going to be a little bit of a play on ‘White Christmas.'”

A limited quantity of discounted tickets for Roaring Fork Valley locals are available, for the Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 performances. To lock in 2023 pricing before Dec. 10, go to the website or call the box office at 970-300-4474 for details. Dec 20-22: Adults $275, Kids 12 and under $145.

A second-holiday event, in its second year, “Once Upon a Time: Whimsical Wintertime Tales,” which is best for families with children ages 4-10, will be held at 4 p.m. from Dec. 19-22 in Hotel Jerome’s Ballroom. Theatre Aspen’s Fairytale Makers present “Once Upon a Time” with a new collection of five classic stories, adapted by Vanessa Vivas — alumni of Theatre Aspen’s apprentice program, as you have never heard them before. Plus, a special collaboration with DanceAspen. After the performance stay for the “meet and greet” with the cast, all local Aspenites, right after the show. Tickets are $95 for adults and $65 for kids 10 and under, including a complimentary cocktail/mocktail and sweet and savory treats.

The cast includes Jess Elkins, Eleanor Carroll (“Anastasia”), Harry Spitteler (“The Sound of Music”), Anna Riley (“The Sound of Music”), and Christopher Wheatley (“Spamalot”). The event will be directed by Vanessa Strahan, the director of education at Theatre Aspen.

For tickets and more information on both holiday events, including full dinner menus, visit TheatreAspen.org or call 970-300-4474.

Sarah Girgis is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for The Aspen Times. She can be reached at 970-429-9151 or sgirgis@aspentimes.com.