Stage Review - Holiday Inn (Tacoma Musical Playhouse)
Stage Review - Holiday Inn
Presented By: Tacoma Musical Playhouse - Tacoma, WA
Show Run: November 21 - December 14, 2025
Date Reviewed: Friday, November 28, 2025
Run Time: 2 Hours, 30 Minutes (including a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed By: Breanne Jensen
Based off the 1940’s movie, the stage production “Holiday Inn” takes place during a simpler time; where hope, love, show business and being a good friend and neighbor were valued as currency. Irving Berlin’s music and lyrics are a mixture of sass, class, holiday spirit and a score that matches the fun-loving story of two best friends fighting for the same girl(s) personally and professionally, during a time of transition in their lives. Ted Hanover and Jim Hardy are two best friends in show business with their trusted partner and Jim’s girlfriend, Lila Dixon. As Jim proposes marriage to Lila, he also proposes that they start a new life… on a farm… in Midville… Connecticut, to leave the life of glitz and glamour behind. Lila accepts all parts of the proposal, however, on the condition that she can go out for one last hoorah on the road with Ted for a six-week engagement traveling with their show. Jim reluctantly agrees with Lila and Ted’s travels and when he himself arrives at his new homestead, Jim is met with back taxes, overdue utility bills, a collapsing staircase railing, a farm with an old town history, and a bevy of influential characters. The town characters bring Jim a new love interest, Linda, whose family farm Jim has just purchased, a sweet grounds keeper named Louise “Lou” and an opportunity to have the small-town life, the sweet, talented girl and a sprinkle of show business by turning the farm into a performance venue during major holidays with a little (or a lot) of help from his friends.
The sets at Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s production are a mixture of digital scenic projection and clever, classic set builds bringing old time post cards and stamps to life to set the tone of the show. Everything from the collapsing staircase to the matching wallpaper color in both the sets and the digital scenic designs made everything look cohesive, cozy and as if one has entered a holiday Hallmark movie. The sets, while effective, were simplistic in comparison to the incredible costumes in this production. With an impressive 238 in total, every single piece of clothing appeared to have been made for every single person on stage (brava to Krista Lofgren and the entire costuming team). The vibrance, sparkles and color palettes were all so mesmerizing and fit every scene to theme and with so many (quick) costume changes, not one of them appeared to be out of place or rushed. The direction and choreography of this show, led by Lexi Barnett, are both professional, detail oriented and effortless. Every lift, spin, scene/light change and sequence were polished and rehearsed to perfection. The dance number that the show is most well known for is, “Shaking the Blues Away” in which performers tap dance while jumping rope and later the entire ensemble joins in with their own individual jump ropes! The choreography and execution were impactful, impressive and unforgettable. The vocal direction, led by Leischen Moore, paired perfectly with the poised and polished talent of the other aspects of the production. Every leading and/or featured vocalist performed with ease in a way one could compare them to Broadway level professionalism and talent.
On the Friday evening performance (11/28/2025), the cast was dealt a hardship with multiple leading roles being ill as this time of year so often lends. Due to illness the role of Jim Hardy (played by Christian Bolduc) was performed by Bolduc but the vocal performance was sung by Jesse Geray offstage. While this can be any creative team, cast, or leading actors’ nightmare, it was merely an illusion for the audience. After the first song, the thought that someone else was singing off stage wasn’t even an idea that took away from anything happening on stage. Every mouth movement was in time, well-rehearsed and truly a collaborative effort that paid off. The only complaint from the audience, one could imagine, is that we didn’t get to hear Bolduc sing himself, except for the last scene or so in the show with some lower register notes. Bolduc’s performance both in acting and dancing carried the show as the leading man with strength, tenderness, humor and extreme likability and his speaking voice is a mixture of velvet and an old Hollywood movie star’s charm. Jesse Geray sang the role of Jim beautifully and tenderly, while also performing his hilarious role of Danny, the manager to Ted and Jim, as well, brava Mr. Geray! The role of Ted Hanover is played by G Alvarado, who is no stranger to the TMP stage. G tackled the role (also while under the weather) of Ted Hanover both singing it beautifully with his classic Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra style voice and his effortless dancing. G stands out when performing “Let’s say it with firecrackers” as he hits every single comedic moment, matching the technical aspects of the firecrackers, both digital and pyrotechnics, with his tap dancing. Mr. Alvarado’s effortlessness on stage can only be compared to that of Dick Vandyke. The female leads were equally as strong as the males. Lila Dixon played by Alison Rucker, perfectly executed the role of somewhat ditzy showgirl, who always leaves the illusion of is she a smart girl working her way up the ladder, or just along for the ride (which is hard to do!). Rucker’s voice is a strong and classic Broadway tone sung beautifully, but her dancing stood out among the rest, specifically during “Heat Wave”. Leading lady Linda Mason, played by April Santo Domingo, was the breakout star of the show. Having taken a ten-year hiatus from the stage, the stage welcomed her back with open arms as Linda. April’s voice and acting are both sophisticated, elegant and lack for nothing, leaving you wanting to hear more of her. Louise Badger was brought to life by Marie Most, whose comedic chops, dancing, singing and adorable chemistry with everyone on stage leaves you feeling as if she is one of your best friends. Most brings comfort to the stage that allowed everyone else around her to create art on stage, safely and soundly. Two other performers who truly made a lasting impression were first timer Adrian Santo Domingo who plays Charlie, the little boy who knows all in town and matches wit, humor and lovability not to mention Adrian has some serious vocal pipes (must be in the genes -his mom is playing Linda Mason) as well as Julia Wyman who plays Daphne. Wyman never once broke character, elevated every scene she was in, be it her facial expressions, dancing, one liners or jump roping, you cannot take your eyes off her. The ensemble as a whole collective was strong, polished, focused and most importantly the audience could tell they were having fun while performing in this show.
If you come to see “Holiday Inn” expecting to see the movie, you may be surprised that you’ll enjoy the musical even more. From the costumes to the sets, vocals, acting, dancing, choreography, talent, laughter, feel good moments and holiday cheer, this show is a perfect ten and easily one of the best to ever grace Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s stage. Double Dutch yourself down and see “Holiday Inn” before it closes on December 14th, 2025, you won’t want to check out!
Holiday Inn runs on stage at Tacoma Musical Playhouse through December 14. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://www.tmp.org/.
Photo credit: Dennis Kurtz
