2024 SEASON SPONSORS

THE CAST

Melinda Davies
LAURA STURGEZ-CORTES

Bert Davies
TOM SCHMIDT

Asher
TERESA ALEXANDRU

Lorraine
MISSY COWAN

Ira Steinberg
BENJAMIN ALAS

Solicitor #1
 MICHAEL P.M. CALABRESE

Solicitor #2
ARIC CALABRESE

Elf 
STEPHEN WALTERS

Antonia Tchiakovsky
BETH STEINBERG

Pyotr Tchaikovsky
JOHN FABIANI

Hallmark Writer #1
CHRIS EVANS

Hallmark Writer #2
TERESA ALEXANDRU

BEHIND THE SCENES

Director / Playwright 
TIM PHILLIPS

Stage Manager
LORI POULIN

Costumes 
ED BASSETT

Props
LORI POULIN & TIM PHILLIPS

Set Crew
ED BASSETT, IAN DIEDRICH< MATTHEW DIEDRICH, TIM PHILLIPS & STEPHEN WALTERS
         
Lighting Design 
AL HATHWAY

Sound & Video Design
ED BASSETT

SPECIAL THANKS

​Cameo Photo Video
Kaso Dezine, LLC.
Black Hog Brewing
​

PHOENIX STAGE COMPANY

Executive Producer - Ed Bassett
Production Manager - Lori Poulin
Facilities Manager - Tim Phillips
Marketing Coordinator -
Agnes M. Dann
Social Media Coordinator - 
Shanelle Dupree
Volunteer Coordinator - 
Jeannie Martin
Playbill/Website -
​Sharon W. Houk
Photographer -
Paula Murphy Meehan
Videography - 
Jeffrey Barber Schlichter
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Ed Bassett
Agnes M.Dann 
​​Sharon W.Houk

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 
Lori Poulin (Chair)
Tim Phillips (Vice-Chair)
Al Hathway
Michael P.M.Calabrese
Laurie Phillips
Shanelle Dupre
Laura Sturges-Cortez

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 ANNUAL FUND DONORS!

Lesli Anderson
Frances Barth
Mrs. Susan C. Beatty
Regina & Joseph Cillizza
Daisy Decker
Mary L. Dooley
Sheila & Mike Elser
Eileen Russo & Michael Frenis
Christopher & Theresa Guertin
Karl & Jeanine Gallmeyer
Melanie Hilpert
James & Barbara Juhas
Betty Lamay
Paul Leduc
John Magnesi
Bonita A. Mazzaferro

And to all of those who chose to remain anonymous!

ABOUT THE SHOW

When Bert & Melinda Davies decide to hold a Christmas party for their department in the world’s largest advertising agency, things get out of hand when the invites go out to the entire worldwide company instead. On the night of the party, there’s no telling who will show up.

Join the party as shepherds mingle with counterintelligence elves and famous composers rub elbows the snarky accountants and copy-writers. All these and more join the party, including different musical artists performing holiday classics every night.

WHO'S WHO

BENJAMIN JOSEPH ALAS (Ira Steinberg) returns to the Phoenix Stage after appearing as Frances in SUITE SURRENDER. He has always had a passion for the arts and has been studying acting for a few years now. Ben has been a part of several student film projects and small independent films, including AWAY GAME, OATH, NOT DEAD YET, RECIPE FOR DISASTER and others that have been included in film festival. Stage credits include Mythology Project iv. I would like to thank my mother, father, and sisters for always sticking by me.
TERESA ALEXANDRU (Lorraine / Hallmark Writer #2) is a familiar face at Phoenix Stage Company, both onstage and on production teams! Most recently, she was Stage Manager for POCKET SHAKESPEARE and played Franny in THE MEMORY BOX by Laura King. She was also on PSC's Play Selection Committee this year. Favorite past productions include CAYUGA CANAL GIRLS (Eliza), STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Annelle) and COVER OF LIFE (Weetsie), plus stage managing for THE REVOLUTIONISTS and DEAD RINGER. Teresa wishes to share her gratitude and love for the late Donna Storms, who introduced her to PSC, along with all her castmates from "Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Xmas Binge" who are watching our latest holiday shenanigans from above. ​
ARIC CALABRESE (Solicitor #2) is back on the PSC stage, having appeared in,THE COMPLETE HISTORU OF THEATER (Abridged), KILL ME DEADLY, SHERWOOD; THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, NEVERLAND CHRISTMAS, MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, ANY BODY HOME?, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, LADY PARTS, FARCE OF NATURE, THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY, and MACBETH. He has also done Makeup for THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY and MACBETH. Other stage credits include GODSPELL, WE WILL ROCK YOU and ELF THE MUSICAL with Landmark Community Theater. Thank you to Michael Calabrese, for his unending and likely poorly conceived support of my family both biological and found, and my mother, who is also family.
​
MICHAEL P.M. CALABRESE (Solicitor #1) returns to Phoenix Stage Company after appearing in FARNDALE AVENUE CHRISTMAS CAROL.  Some of his prior shows included in THE MEMORY BOX, FEMALE TRANSPORT, THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY, JACOB MARLEY’S XMAS CAROL, COVER OF LIFE, and DEATH BY FATAL MURDER and several One Act Plays throughout PSC festivals. Michael is the technical producer for TAKE FLIGHT LIVE, the Phoenix Stage Company podcast. Directing credits include KINKY BOOTS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Landmark Community Theater. Thank you to Aric and to all the folks who continue to support local community theater
CHRIS EVANS (the other one) returns to the Phoenix stage after appearing in EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD other stage credits include DEAD RINGER, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUKOO’S NEST, CLIFFHANGER, REBEL YELLS, LADY PARTS, SECONDARY CAUSE OF DEATH, FUDDY MEERS, DEATH BY FATAL MURDER, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, WRITER’S CRAMP and more. Chris direct made his directorial debut with THE REVOLUNTIONISTS here at PSC. Thanks to Tim for choosing to include me.Thanks to Jaym for holding down the fort so I can play
JOHN FABIANI (Pyotr Tchaikovsky) returns to the Phoenix stage after reprising his role in SUITE SURRENDER (Mr. Pippett) with Phoenix Stage Company, THE FANTASTIKS (Mortimer) with multiple theater companies and THE WIZARD OF OZ and 1776 with Wallingford Community Theater. Thank you to the universe for giving me enough room and I hope it will continue to expand for a few billion more years
TOM SCHMIDT (Bert Davies) is back on the Phoenix Stage after making his debut in FARCE OF HABIT.  Stage credits include ALMOST MAINE (East /Randy / Dave) and HANDS OF FATE / ACTING UP! (Steven Armstrong), both with Orange Players. Thank you to my family and friends for your undying love and support. Thank you to the cast and crew for an amazing experience. Finally, a very special thank you to all of you for supporting live community theater and allowing us to dress up and play pretend.
BETH STEINBERG (Antonia Tchaikovsky) is back on the PSC stage after appearing in MACBETH, OCTETT BRIDGE CLUB, THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY and THE CEMETERY CLUB. Other stage credits include Enchanted April, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Stuart Little. When not she enjoys being the popcorn ambassador at Phoenix and spending time laughing with her family and friends. Thank you to Tim, Lori, Ed and the entire Phoenix family for the many years of love and friendship and a lot of laughs
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ (Melinda Davies) most recently appeared in POCKET SHAKESPEARE, 
Stage credits include; IF THE SHOE FITS, KILL ME DEADLY, SHERWOOD; THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, FOOLS, JEKYLL & HYDE, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, FEMALE TRANSPORT, MOON OVER BUFFALO AND ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST with Phoenix Stage Company after a long absence from theater. Thank you to my family for all the wonderful Christmas traditions and love we share. Thank you to my friends both old and new! Thank you, Carlos, I love you
​STEPHEN WALTERS (Asher / Elf) is making his Phoenix Stage Company debut! Past stage experience includes RENT (Squeegee Man), BACK TO THE 80’S (Corex Palmer, Sr.) and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Dentist) all with QRMHS. Thank you to my family and friends who still believe that I can talk in front of people, and to my LARP family, I hope you enjoy seeing me not in character.

BEHIND THE SCENES

TIM PHILLIPS (Director, playwright) - Directing credits - VARNEY THE VAMPIRE, FOOLS, THE UNDERPANTS, A NIGHT IN THE THEATRE and six, count 'em, six productions of EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (And Then Some) - all with Phoenix Stage Company. Also LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and THE FOREIGNER (New Britain Rep). Original written works INCLUDE KH IS COMING TO DINNER and the produced one-act plays, "Immortals Anonymous", "In Charge of Gravity" and more. Tim is very excited to get "Deck the Halls" up on stage and is grateful to the amazing cast and crew who trust in his craziness. As always, much love to Laurie and Dash and Oliver. This one's for you, Grandma
LORI POULIN (Stage Manager) is the Phoenix Stage Company Production Manager. PSC credits include Stage Managing for EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE and more. Director of FARCE OF HABIT, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, MOON OVER BUFFALO, FARCE OF NATURE, JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL and appearing on stage in CAYUGA CANAL GIRLS, DEATH & TAXES, KILL ME DEADLY, DARK AND STORMY NIGHT and LADY PARTS. Other credits include Costume Designer for THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, GODSPELL, IT’S ONLY A PLAY and ELF, THE MUSICAL at Landmark Community Theater. Thank you to this fabulous cast for making this holiday so fun. Thanks to Teemo for all his time and talent in putting this show together. Best wishes to you, our audience, for a joyous holiday season. NOW GO DECK THE HALLS, PEOPLE