In what has become a Christmas tradition for us, my family once recently attended the holiday production of Encore Theatrical Arts Project (ETAP), “Christmas in New York.” ETAP, known for its Broadway-style musicals, each year produces a fantastic show, the likes of which you’d see from a professional troupe, but whose cast is primarily local students. The Christmas productions are hugely popular shows, and rightfully so:  if you can’t get to see a show like the Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular in New York, this is the next best thing!

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My daughter and I had the pleasure of attending a production of Christmas In New York at the Richard J Ernst Theatre in Annandale, VA.  When we arrived at the dress rehearsal night, they were hosting a “backstage tour” for the audience before the show started.  We got to go up on stage, see the props and backdrops up close, and meet some of the actors.  After a few photo opportunities, we found our seats.  The director, Raynor van der Merwe who is also the founder and artistic director of Encore Theatrical Arts Project introduced the play.

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Christmas in New York:  if you’ve ever experienced it, you know it is a magical time. The bright lights and energy of the big city, combined with the sparkle and spirit of the holidays, give New York at Christmas time a special feel. If you want a taste of this without leaving home, consider attending “Christmas in New York,” the new original show by Encore Theatrical Arts Project (ETAP).

This Broadway-style holiday musical tells the story of Eddie, a boy bursting with ideas who attends a strange new boarding school with eccentric classmates and a sensational new teacher who promises fame and glory . . . but for whom?  Eddie finds himself in a world of wonder filled with amazing inventions and adventures from the North Pole to the International Toy Convention in New York City…

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I had never attended a show put on by Encore Theatrical Arts Project before and really didn’t know what to expect.  But, looking at the website and reading about the company, I knew it would get me in the holiday spirit.  I attended the 4:00 pm show on a Sunday at the Richard J. Ernst Theatre located on the NOVA campus in Annandale, VA and brought my 9-year-old daughter with me.  My daughter had a ton of questions and was curious beyond belief.  After getting our tickets at will call, we headed to the lobby where they were selling snacks and drinks (simple, basic treats) and they also displayed the actors headshots.  My daughter loved looking at all of them.  She made comments about whether they would be dancing or singing, and also about how some of them looked like they were her age.  (That part she thought was really cool).

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