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A full-length theatrical experience

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About

  • Written by

    Clark Baxtresser

  • Directed by

    James Tolbert

  • Performances

    Nov. 17-19, 2023

  • Venue

    Apollo Theater Chicago
    Chicago, IL

StarKid returns to The Apollo Theatre with their retro-rewind holiday hit, VHS CHRISTMAS CAROLS! 

Travel through the past, present, and future alongside the Greediest Geezer as the spirits of 1980s MTV help him discover some Christmas Electricity! Witness Jim and Della have a major bummer as they search the mall for the perfect gift! And visit secret worlds with the Matchstick Girl as she tries desperately to escape the cold, cold streets of the city...  

Inspired by The Gift of the Magi, The Little Matchstick Girl, A Christmas Carol, and the best 80s pop hits!

Based on the stories…

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen, & A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

cast

 

Scrooge – AJ Holmes
Narrator – Clark Baxtresser
Marley – Meredith Stepien
Christmas Past – Jaime Lyn Beatty
Christmas Present – James Tolbert
Christmas Future – Jamie Burns

Bob Cratchit / Fezziwig – Joey Richter
Emily Cratchit – Lauren Lopez
Tiny Tim / Fred – Brian Holden
Match Girl - Ali Gordon
Jim / Young Scrooge – Curt Mega
Della / Belle– Darilyn Burtley

 

Creative Team

Jamie K. Burns

Jamie K. Burns is an actress, singer, impressionist, and voiceover artist living in Chicago. She has trained/performed at iO, Annoyance, and Second City. This is Jamie’s second StarKid show and was previously Chorn in Starkid’s production of Firebringer. Jamie is very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of VHS Christmas Carol!

Curt Mega

Curt is a Los Angeles based actor, writer, director and singer originally from Dallas, Tx. You may know him from Starkid's Nightmare Time, President Howard Goodman in Starkid’s Black Friday, Agent Curt Mega in Tin Can Brother’s Spies are Forever, Cliff Irons in Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye, and as a founding member of Shitty Broadway. TV work includes a four season recurring role as Nick the Warbler on Fox’s hit show Glee, and guest starring roles on Side Hustle, Stuck in the Middle, Criminal Minds, Game Shakers, NCIS: LA, Code Black, Switched at Birth, and Crazy Ex Girlfriend. Curt is also a writer, producer, and director and is currently finishing up post-production of his directorial debut with the psychological thriller The Nameless. He is a voice over actor and can be heard in various commercials, audio drama podcasts, and series on Netflix and HBO. In addition to his work as an actor, he is also an acting teacher and coach.

A.J. Holmes

A.J. Holmes is a composer, singer, songwriter, comic, improviser, and actor. Broadway/West End Credits include Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon. Other theatre credits include Dr. Frankenstein in the national tour of Young Frankenstein and Henry in Next to Normal (Arizona Theatre Co. & SJ Rep). Film credits include Flop Stoppers and The Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye in collaboration with the comedy group The Tin Can Brothers, as well as Ethan Kuperberg’s seminal classic, Doppelgänger. As a composer, A.J. has worked on several shows with StarKid Productions (Twisted, A Very Potter Musical, Me and My Dick), all of which can be found on the hit website, YouTube. A.J. served as a consultant in the writers room on Season 21 of South Park. AJ spends his time writing silly songs and sometimes remembering to write them down.

Janaya Mahealani Jones

Janaya can't even believe she is joining the Team StarKid Family!! You may Recognize Janaya from Invincible the Musical which played here at the bourbon room last month. During the day, She is a twitch streamer and also works at Disney's California adventure. At the Resort she can be seen as Dime in The Five and Dime Jazz Band and DJ Dee Jay at The Disney Junior Dance Party. Janaya also works regionally in theatres such as Moonlight Amphitheatre, Lambs Players, Rockwell Table and Stage, and Lambs Players. She is most known for her star turn as Esmeralda in Moonlight Amphitheatre's Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as Stanley Uris in the Award Winning production of The Rockwell Musical Parody of Stephen King's It. Thank you for continuing to safely create and support live theatre! and a Huge thank you to Team StarKid for everything and more! Follow Janaya’s journey on social media: @esmerelduhhh_

James Tolbert

James (Christmas Present, Choreographer, Assistant Director) is excited for the BEST CHRISTMAS PARTY EVER~! James has appeared in Nightmare Time 1 (Blinky) & 2 (Charles), Black Friday (Xander Lee), which he also choreographed along with other Starkid shows: The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals, Twisted, and A Very Potter Sequel. James has also appeared in Mamma Mia! (Eddie/Sky u.s., Las Vegas and Royal Caribbean), Mary Poppins (Ensemble/Valentine u.s., Natn'l Tour), Footloose (Jeter/Dance Capt./Asst. Choreographer, Kansas City Starlight), West Side Story (Carnegie Hall), Clue (Cop, La Mirada Theatre), and Ragtime (Music Theatre West). Follow James on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @jwtolb.

Lauren Lopez

Lauren Lopez is thrilled to be back in the 80s IRL! She is an actor, dancer, writer and singer currently living in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is a founding member of Team StarKid. She has worked on productions in New York City, Chicago and LA.

Dylan Saunders

Dylan Saunders has appeared in over a dozen StarKid projects since its founding in 2009. TV: “Turn: Washington’s Spies” (AMC), “Chicago Fire” (NBC), “Kevin From Work” (Freeform), “Royalties” (Roku), “American Koko” (ABC). Theatre: Mark Taper Forum, Pasadena Playhouse (Ovation Nomination), Milwaukee Rep, Boston Court, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Theatre Apostrof (Prague, CZ), and the National Theatre of London (Connections Festival). Voiceover: Disney, Nickelodeon, Fox, and video games. BFA: University of Michigan.

June Saito

June Saito is so excited to be back with Starkid live for VHS Christmas Carol! 2021 marks her 11th year with the company, previous Starkid design credits include Holy Musical B@man, Apocalyptour, A Very Potter Senior Year, Twisted, Firebringer, and The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals. She is a member of The Motion Picture Costumers Union, I.A.T.S.E. Local 705. Most recently she worked on Seasons 3 through 6 of Superstore and Season 1 of American Auto, both at NBC/Universal. She wishes everyone the happiest of holidays and a very merry New Year!

Sarah Petty

Sarah Petty: Sarah has had the pleasure to work with StarKid since 2010. Previous StarKid Productions lighting credits include include: A Very Potter Sequel, Holy Musical B@Man!, Starship, Twisted, Ani, The Trail to Oregon, Firebringer, The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals, and Black Friday. Sarah is thrilled to be back IRL with StarKid!

Joey Richter

Proud University of Michigan graduate with a minor in Global Media studies. TV: Royalties (Quibi), Henry Danger (Nickelodeon), Jessie (Disney), Team Kaylie (Netflix), Glee (Fox), Coop and Cami Ask the World. Animation: Legend of Korra, Monkey King: Hero is Back, Gkids’ Ride Your Wave, Mad, Manly, Khumba, Monsters vs. Alien. Online: School of Thrones, I Ship It (Sundance Film Festival), Edgar Allan Poe's Murder Mystery Dinner Party, Case of the Gilded Lily. Starkid Productions (founding member): Very Potter Musical Trilogy, S.P.A.C.E & Apocalyptour Concert Tours (Live Nation), Starship, Firebringer, Trail to Oregon! (Cherry Lane, NYC), The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, Black Friday. Stage: Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Stage 773, Chicago), Spies Are Forever (Noho Arts Center, LA), Solve It Squad (Barrow Group Theatre, NYC). Cofounder/Writer/Producer/Actor in the Los Angeles based comedy group, The Tin Can Brothers. Repped by CESD Talent and Holly Shelton Management.

Meredith Stepien

Meredith is so excited to perform in the best version of a Christmas Carol that exists to this date. This story means a lot to her and her family, and the way Clark captured the best and most important parts of it through music and lyrics and feeling is truly genius. Meredith would love to talk about her favorite parts of the show with you!! And she also gets to play her dream role of Jacob Marley for a live audience, which is a dream come true. Happy Holidays!!!

Corey Dorris

Corey Dorris is ecstatic to be back for VHS Christmas Carol, and performing it in front of people and not just his iphone! A graduate of the Juilliard School and The University of Michigan, Corey most recently originated the role of Wally in South Coast Repertory's The Canadians, a world premiere play by Adam Bock. His TeamStarkid credits include 'Trail To Oregon,' 'MAMD,' and A Very Potter Sequel & Threequel, and NightMare Time. He is a Stage Raw Award recipient for Best Two-Person Performance & Ovation nominated for Best Production for his work in DutchMasters (2016) at Rogue Machine Theatre. Television: "Station 19," 'The Grinder,' 'Stuck in The Middle,' and Seth Rogen's 'Future Man' on Hulu.

Brian Rosenthal

Brian is a founding member of Tin Can Bros and StarKid Productions. Favorite StarKid credits include: A Very Potter Musical Trilogy, the Apocalyptour national concert tour, and StarKid Homecoming (The Theatre at Ace Hotel, LA). Noteworthy Tin Can Bros writer/performer credits include: Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye, Choose Our Destiny: Improv Adventure (Legendary Digital), Flop Stoppers (Official Selection at Buffer Festival & Newport Beach Film Festival), Spies Are Forever (LA), Solve It Squad (LA & Off-Broadway). Additionally, he has appeared in national commercials and regional theaters across the country. @brian_rosenthal

Jaime Lyn Beatty

A founding member of Team Starkid, JLB has been singin’ and dancin’ with these lil rascals since 2008! From performances off- Broadway and online, it has been quite the existential journey and she is forever grateful for the for love and support of the Starkid community. In addition to her work with Starkid, she’s been in a handful of national commercials, served as a writer/host of original shows for Google and Netflix and recently co-created an award winning short film called "Designated Rider”. It’s a comedy! There's a dog in it! If you’re curious, you can watch it on the Internet (along with everything else in the world!) Much love to my Patreon family, Andrew and Nori who help keep me weird n’ comfy. Be Kind. Rewind… JLynBeatty.com

Nick Gage

Nick Gage is happy to be back in the mix with team Starkid. It really doesn’t get any better than Christmas themed 80’s synth pop. A real dream come true. I’m moving here in a couple months. Tell me what to eat and do.

Brian Holden

Brian Holden is so happy to performing again in VHS CHRISTMAS CAROL: LIVE! and hopes it becomes a yearly tradition! In addition to being a founding member of StarKid Productions, Brian is an audiobook narrator and has performed over 60 titles. Most of all, he wants you to know that it's just really nice to get out of the house again, ya know? That said, he's looking forward to returning to Chicago with his wife, Meredith, to see their little dog! Luna, if you're reading this, we love you!

Ilana Elroi

Ilana is excited to be back in the theatre and what better way than with a StarKid show! She has mixed for The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals and Black Friday, as well as being on the sound team for TCB's Spies Are Forever. She got to mix Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse before the pandemic and it would have led to union membership but instead she got to spend 15 months cross stitching and still not finishing a crocheted blanket. "Many thanks to my cat Hazel, without whom my face wouldn't be deeply exfoliated daily, and my boyfriend Zack, who helps with everything else her furry paws can't manage."

Kim Whalen

Starkid audiences might recognize Kim from Black Friday and Nightmare Time S1&2. Or if you’re a Disney fan and love Austin and Ally you might recognize Kim as, Glamour Kitty from one of the popular episodes, Solos and Stray Kitties. Other theatre credits include Louisa in the 50th-anniversary production of The Fantasticks at the Snapple Theatre Center Off-Broadway. Regional: Cinderella, A Christmas Carol, South Pacific (Casa Manana), My Fair Lady, Carousel, Master Class, West Side Story (Lyric Stage), The Light in the Piazza (Theatre Three), Grey Gardens, Oklahoma, Forum, Man of La Mancha (WaterTower) Bat Boy, Rocky Horror, The Time Of Your Life (Colin Theatre Center) The Last Five Years (Labyrinth Theatre). Other TV/film credits include recurring character, Ava Winthrop in BET’s, Being Mary Jane, S.W.A.T., CodeBlack, Intelligence, We Are Men, CSI: Cyber (CBS), Surviving Jack, The Tree of Life, Dakotas Summer (FOX), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX), Body of Proof (ABC), Jodi Arias (Lifetime) and Perception (TNT). Kim also teaches voice and acting with her husband and fellow Starkid, Curt Mega for their company, Story Matters Studios.

Writer – Clark Baxtresser
Director– James Tolbert

Lead Producer – Brian Holden
Associate Producers – Jaime Lyn Beatty & Meredith Stepien

Stage Manager – Angela F. Kiessel

Costume Designer – June Saito
Scenic Design - Eric Luchen
Lighting Designer - Alexa Wiljanen
Sound Designer - Connor Boyle
Assistant Sound Design - Carrie Brewer
Production Manager - Dusty Brown

Choreographer - James Tolbert

Music Director/Keyboard 1 – Clark Baxtresser
Percussion/Keyboard 2 – Meredith Stepien

FAq

The Show

+ Is VHS CHRISTMAS CAROLS a musical?

Yes! It's a two-act, 90 minute musical adaptation from longtime StarKid composer, Clark Baxtresser (A Very Potter Senior Year, Ani: A Parody, Movies, Musicals & Me).

+ Is this the same thing as A VHS Christmas Carol from years past?

No! We've added an entire additional act to the show! Clark has written some beautiful music to adapt The Gift of the Magi and The Little Match Girl, and has woven it brilliantly into VHS CHRISTMAS CAROL for a full night of fun!

+ How long is the show?

Anticipated run time is 90 minutes, plus intermission!

+ Will the show be released on YouTube?

Currently, there are no concrete plans to release VHS CHRISTMAS CAROLS on YouTube. But a Digital Ticket will be available, so keep an eye out!