[NoHo Arts District, CA] – The Santasia Summer Sing-Along brings the hit holiday comedy to the Whitefire Theatre for a Christmas in July celebration filled with music, films, audience participation, and plenty of laughs.
One of my absolute favorite things to do in December is to go to the spectacular Santasia at the Whitefire Theatre! Hilarity, naughtiness, and some really excellent sets, costumes and short films all making Christmas bright! In fact, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it!
So wonder of wonders, Santasia really can be celebrated any time of year apparently. Here we are in the middle of the summer in L.A. and Christmas is coming early to the Whitefire!
Santasia is doing a summer sing-along. I must be in heaven! With films and music and cast members Brandon Loeser, Shaun Loeser, Tara Jean O’Brien, Omar Heywood, Chey Kennedy, Rusty Locke and Pearson Loeser. What more could we wish for I ask you! Santa really must be watching and listening all year round…creepy!
We wondered how this dream came to be, so we asked the brains of the group, Tara O’Brien, to tell us all about it!
This show is going to be pure silliness and fun.
Hi Tara, thank you so much for this! Please give us a little background on Santasia, how long ago it began and why.
I joined the show in 2022, but Santasia was created by Shaun and Brandon Loeser in 2000 in Chicago at iO (Improv Olympic). They told me, “Christmas was always a huge time in our life. Our parents made it so special. So when our dad passed away, it was a way to celebrate his memory in comedy. Now that both our parents are gone, it’s become a tradition that we can share with so many people. So that time of year is filled with laughter, memories and family.”
What is this summer show all about?
There have been plans to do a summer show for years, but summer always gets busy. This year seemed like the right time to do a summer spectacular because this past December, many audience members were singing along during the show. We wanted to give everyone a proper chance to sing their hearts out! We also wanted to showcase the amazing work people have put in for over two decades on the films we screen. We’re excited to be bringing back some of Santasia’s greatest hits.
Being the newest and only female member of the Santasia cast, how hard do you have to work to make these guys look funny?
Suffice to say I burn an entire year’s worth of calories carrying these fools on my back. HA! Honestly, I’m honored to be part of such an important mainstay of comedy in Los Angeles. Whether the Loesers know it or not, Santasia is a vital part of Los Angeles theater history. Having 27 seasons of any show, in any city, is wild. But doing it in LA–iconic. (Does that make me sound young and hip?? Nailed it!)
Is this a fundraiser? I know costs keep going up for everything!
It definitely will help with our annual Santasia production costs. But this show is more of a celebration of Santasia’s fandom. It’s an opportunity for us to interact and play with the audience. We want this to be a truly immersive experience.
Is the full cast going to be there?
Yep, it’s the same cast from December. For better or worse, I predict there will be even more sweat on stage in July than in December. Send electrolytes.
It’s a singalong, but will the show be the same? How does it work?
The show will be more focused on audience participation, but there will be a little bit of both. There will be songs for everyone to sing along to–whether you’ve seen the show previously or not–you will be able to participate! The audience can interact as much or as little as they’d like. There may be some interactive dancing… some tossing of clothing… don’t miss it!
Please tell us any secrets you have about the show and all these men!!!
Secrets?? I’ve seen so much exposed skin on those five dudes–I wish I could go back to that being a secret. The only secret I will share is–and don’t tell them this–they’re really good people. There’s no way I would have done this show if there wasn’t so much love and heart in it. They also make me laugh and encourage some of my silliest instincts–which brings me great joy. Phew! Now I never have to say something nice about them ever again!
Has being a part of the show increased your belief in Santa or decreased it?
My husband was in this show for nine years, so Santasia has been part of my holiday season for most of my adult life. At this point, it’s not the holidays without this show, so if that doesn’t strengthen my belief in Santa, I don’t know what else could.
Do they really love doing the striptease sketches as much as it looks??
Ugh, they really do. Their enthusiasm for ripping their clothes off should be illegal.
Please tell us anything else you would like to say about the show and to encourage people to come out!
This show is going to be pure silliness and fun. I think, for all sorts of reasons, we could all use a place to let loose, shake it out, and have a good time. The Santasia Summer Sing-A-Long and Film Festival Spectacular will be the perfect place to do that! Did I mention there will be booze?
You had me at booze, Tara…
Santasia is a tradition in my house and in many others. If you have never seen this amazing and incredible Christmas show before, I believe there is a cream for that! Bring your stupid selves over to the Whitefire and find out what all the fuss is about!! And for those who are regulars, I believe there is a cream for that also…see you there!
When:
Saturday, July 25 at 8pm, Sunday, July 26 at 3pm and 8pm
Where:
The Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Blvd, Sherman oaks