[NoHo Arts District, CA] – SANTASIA – A Holiday Comedy returns to the Whitefire Theatre for its 26th season.
Santasia – A Holiday Comedy, the Los Angeles sensation and Off-Broadway New York hit, returns LIVE to the Whitefire Theatre!
About SANTASIA – A Holiday Comedy
Santasia is a hilarious musical sketch comedy spectacular that embraces the iconic moments of the Christmas season. This award-winning and critically acclaimed stage rendition has been running for 26 years in Los Angeles.
SANTASIA’s relentless assault on your holiday funny-bone will have you hurting from laughter. This side-splitting comedy is stocking stuffed with dynamic musical parodies, heartfelt sentiment and classic Rankin and Bass original inspired claymation movies.
Read the NoHo Arts SANTASIA review>>
SANTASIA – A Holiday Comedy is a guaranteed sure-fire bet to get you in the holiday spirit!
What critics have said about SANTASIA – A Holiday Comedy
“Hilarious…smartly executed…a side splitter…” – LA TIMES
“SANTASIA” commands devoted fans. The action is lively, the sketches are inventive, and the laughs keep coming.” – LA TIMES 99 Seat Beat
“A GOOD LAUGH… NOSTALGIC!” – New York Times
“Critic’s Pick!” – Broadway World
“Ingenious…priceless” – LA Weekly, Pick of the Week!
“SANTASTIC!” – Stage and Cinema
“Outstanding Sketch Comedy Production, Outstanding Sketch Comedy Ensemble, Outstanding Choreography (Intimate Theatre)” – Stage Scene LA
“Comedic Perfection…Laugh out loud funny…” – BACKSTAGE, Critic’s Pick!
“…hilarious and clever…a gem…filled with wit, schtick…familiar songs & gags galore, pratfalls a plenty…animated shorts…The atmosphere is likened to a Saturday Night Live sketch show…Amidst all the chaos and conflicts of family holiday gatherings elsewhere, the audience had the privilege to escape into the hysterical world of holiday humor. – Bonnie Priever Curtain Up!
The Cast
The cast features the talents of Brandon Loeser, Shaun Loeser, Omar Heywood, Chey Kennedy, Rusty Locke, Tara Jean O’Brien and Pearson Loeser (Understudy).
The Crew
The crew includes Tania L Pearson-Loeser (Original Choreographer), Stacey Quinealty (Musical Director/Composer), Wynn Zucchero (Lighting Designer), Mitch Rosander (Stage Manager), and Banzai Vitale (Stage Manager)
Brandon Loeser (Producer, Technical Director, Co-Director, Actor, Co-Writer)
Brandon is originally from Chicago and studied at ImprovOlympic in Chicago under the direction of famed improv teacher Del Close. Brandon played Tim on Amazon’s Jury Duty. He has also appeared in Superman, Skeleton Crew, Monster, Conan, Griselda, The Rookie: Feds, Utopia, Homecoming, For All Mankind, Silicon Valley, Westworld, Grimm, Scorpion, Superstore, True Blood, Justified, Children’s Hospital, Supah Ninjas, The Dark Knight, The Tonight Show, Chasing 3000, Changeling, General Hospital and Disaster Movie.
IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1501286/
Shaun Loeser (Producer, Director, Actor, Co-Writer)
Shaun is a professional actor and stuntman with numerous film, television and national commercial credits. Originally hailing from the windy city, Shaun trained with legendary improv guru Del Close at the famed iO Chicago. Most recently, Shaun can be seen on Shining Vale and Peacock’s AP BIO as Patton Oswalt’s stunt double and co-starring on the Netflix series Malibu Rescue. Some of Shaun’s credits include Step Brothers, Conan, American Horror Story, Trespassers, CSI, General Hospital, NCIS LA, The Amazing Spider-Man and True Blood. But Shaun’s proudest credits are loving husband and Dad. Now go give your Dad a hug and kiss. IMBD-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2227970/
Rusty Locke (Actor, Co-Writer, Associate Producer)
Rusty was born into show business by his father, an entertainer for 60 years. He started doing commercials as a young boy, from Baskin-Robbins to McDonald’s. He studied theatre and fine arts through high school and college. He prides himself on being a Stunt Actor specializing in physical comedy and sword fighting. Some of his credits include No Concept of Time, Deadliest Warrior, Battles B.C. and Gilmore Girls. Most recently portrayed Doc Brown for the Fox Foundation’s Back to 1885.
IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1398469/
Tara Jean O’Brien (Actor)
Tara is an actor/writer/comedian/producer who trained at USC, the British American Drama Academy, the Groundlings, iO West, Second City, and UCB, and has been on house improv and sketch teams all over LA. As a standup, she performs and hosts regularly at venues nationwide. As a writer, her first book, Tips For Your Last Year On Earth, was published by Vulpine Press in 2023; her feature script Do Not Go Gently was a quarterfinalist in the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship; she’s a former headline writer for The Onion and is a regular contributor for Slackjaw, Jane Austen’s Wastebasket, The Bold Italic, Insider, and Greener Pastures. Film and TV appearances include Jury Duty, Conan O’Brien, Tosh.0, Teachers, General Hospital, and the cult horror hit Rubber. She’d like to thank her friends and family for continuing to laugh at her and her husband, Art, for being a sexy cat co-parent. IMDB – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2790755/
Chey Kennedy (Actor)
Chey was raised in Southern California after being brought out from Philadelphia at the age of 3. He has always enjoyed trying to make people laugh with a strong emphasis on trying. He studied theater in college and improv at ComedySportz in LA. He has made most of the theme park circuit in SoCal and only needs to get a job at Knott’s to complete it. Chey has appeared in quite a few commercials and would love to appear in some more if the opportunity arises. Chey is very grateful for his kids and their sense of humor, also for Tara’s husband, Art, for being the best person on the planet.
Omar Heyward (Actor)
Omar is from a small town in South Carolina where he grew up and found the desire for science and theatre. Theatre won that battle. He found himself getting immersed in acrobatics, theatre and gymnastics. His path brought him to California by way of Florida and Singapore. When landing in LA he continued his theatre performances in the Waterworld Stunt Show, burlesque with Toil and Trouble, horror shows with Fuzzybottoms Theater Company and comedy with Santasia. Thank you all for coming and supporting local theater.
IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6588601/
Tania L. Pearson-Loeser (Original Choreographer)
Tania is a professional choreographer, writer, director, and performer. She has acted and/or performed stunts in Goliath, Criminal Minds, Alice in Wonderland, Chuck, NCIS, SciJinks, General Hospital. Tania’s choreography includes Conan O’Brian Show, Conan O’Brian Prohibited Tour, General Hospital and Broadway Cares. IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0669393/
Stacey Quinealty (Musical Director / Composer)
Stacey has produced and composed music for theater, television, film, theme parks, radio, and industrials. He has produced music for Warner Brothers, McDonald’s, Honda, Mitsubishi, Acura, Hewlett-Packard, Ford and many more. He is the primary music producer and sound designer for Universal Studios, Hollywood and is best known for his creative concept with the band Carbon 9 from Los Angeles, CA and has received over 15 awards in the music community recognizing his talents. He takes great pride in his work and is excited to be working with Santasia in this awesome adventure.
Wynn Zucchero (Associate Producer, Lighting Designer)
Originating from the East Coast, Wynn is a production manager and lighting designer. He has over 30 years of experience in theater, film, concerts, theme parks and corporate industrials. He has been involved in productions for Disney, Universal Studios, Six Flags and Paramount theme parks. He has lit hundreds of concerts, movie premiers, and musical acts. Recently, he has produced corporate events for Disney, Google, Microsoft, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Art Contemporary Los Angeles and Ipsy. Wynn has been a fan of Santasia for over 15 years and is excited and honored to be a part of this year’s production.
Mitch Rosander (Stage Manager)
Mitch Rosander is a light and sound designer based in Los Angeles. Currently working with the Whitefire Theatre, Mitch is also the Literary Manager for The Loft Ensemble Theater in North Hollywood’s Arts District. He’s very excited and grateful to be working with the Loeser Brothers on this year’s production of Santasia.
Banzai Vitale (House Manager)
Banzai has been a stuntman for over 30 years. He also owns Stunt Performers Academy, a stunt school that trains new and upcoming young talent in the world of stunts! He is very proud to once again help Santasia bring the holiday spirit to 1000’s of people. www.stuntperformersacademy.com IMDB- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0899858/
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