OCEAN CITY – If you’re not in the holiday spirit yet, come to the Ocean City Music Pier on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Greater Ocean City Theater Company’s annual Holiday Spectacular.
Director and choreographer Brendan Murray said:
“I think it’s a great way to spend the holidays,” said cast member Zachary Debebek. It’s just a ball of energy and I think people of all ages will enjoy this show.”
“The show is full of high energy and spirit,” said fellow cast member Carrie McKnight. I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce, and I am delighted to combine the gospel music we do with our Christian faith with a tribute to Mariah Carey that we can sing on the show.”
All performers at five shows over three days are professionals in singing and dancing for the holidays, family friendly. OCTC touts dazzling costumes, familiar tunes, special guests, special effects and dazzling numbers. According to the company, this year’s production includes new musical numbers, including a Christmas at the Beach section, an “explosive” gospel song, and Broadway Tap’s Winter Wonderland finale.
McKnight has said that tribute to Mariah Carey means filling in some very large shoes. voice. It’s great for the audience to see it. ”
As a child, McKnight grew up singing in church, performing in choirs and musical theater. She’s been working with “great voice teachers at various levels” to help her progress in her professional career, which she calls a blessing.
“We’re all professionals[of the cast]and we come from different companies, so it’s great to bring us all together. I’m happy to do it,” she said.
Debevec loves the dance aspect of the show.
Dancing is “one of my favorite things to do. I started training in college at the Princeton Ballet School at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, and I really enjoy it.”
In college, one of his best friends reluctantly took him to his first class.
“I never really thought about dancing until she dragged me into my first class.” I knew.”
Both cast members loved their time at the Ocean City Theater Company.
“They are the brightest and most talented people I have ever met,” says Debevec. “I worked with Carrie last year on the spectacular ‘Swinging into the Holidays’ for Christmas and she’s been so professional every time I’ve been here. The community is so wonderful and so welcoming.” We have so much fun just being here. ”
McKnight enjoys bonding with the cast and with the creative team. Everyone is very supportive and hands-on with each other. Putting on a show, questioning the great choreographers and directors, putting it all together as a final result for the audience, enjoying the spirit of Christmas and singing the many songs that bring them back It’s really helpful for us. It’s great to see that. ”
Marie, from Bloomingdale, New Jersey, may be familiar to OCTC devotees.
He started working at OCTC in 2017. Among the productions were Mike in “A Chorus Line”, RuFou in “Beauty and the Beast” and Willie in the show of the same name.
He directed and choreographed his first show with Junior Company in 2019. This is the first time that I have held a concurrent position with a specialized company.
“It’s a lot of fun and stressful, but it’s worth it in the end,” he said. “It was a challenge that combined acting, singing, and dancing, and I was happy to do it.
“It is very exciting to work with professionals from New York and Philadelphia,” added Marie. Although he has worked with many of his cast members as his fellow actors, being their director and choreographer is “an entirely different game and a lot of fun.”
But he is not ready to limit his options.
“I’m still plagued by performance bugs, but this new world of staging and choreography is interesting and might stick around a little longer.
Times are Friday December 16th at 7:30pm, Saturday December 17th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, Sunday December 18th at 2:00pm at Music Pier, Moulin Terrace and Boardwalk It would be held. Plenty of free parking.
Admission is $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and children under 12. For tickets, call (609) 399-6111, log on to oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, or visit the 9th Avenue Causeway Welcome Center, Ocean City Community Center, or City Hall.
David Nahan/ sentinel staff