Holiday favorite remains fresh

Santa's cousin, Elvis Claus, will join in the finale.
By L. CROW
Vindicator Correspondent
YOUNGSTOWN -- Easy Street Productions returns to Powers Auditorium next weekend for its annual presentation of "Miracle on Easy Street."
The troupe has been doing this show for 17 years (six at Powers). Co-director Todd Hancock said he wanted to create a tradition from the beginning, filling a different niche than the "Nutcracker" and "Christmas Carol" performances.
"Many people say, 'It's just not Christmas until we see your show,'" he said. "So we keep it much the same from year to year, but always add new songs, and change details around. But the one thing that has changed over all these years is that we've grown and grown. We started at the beginning with just the core group, but now have the Easy Street Dancers and Little Rascals."
This year's show has about 100 people, which Hancock describes as "age 5 to us old fogies."
New songs
The show, as usual, will consist of songs, dances and skits. Some of the new songs will be "The Star," sung by co-director Maureen Collins and the Rascals. "This is a sort of country ballad," Hancock said. "It speaks of 'just another homeless family,' meaning Mary and Joseph, but we are also doing it as a tribute to Hurricane Katrina victims."
Katy Collins and Elysia Shutrump, accompanied by the dancers, are doing a Mariah Carey tune, "All I Want for Christmas is You."
Hancock said they have a new finale planned which will include Santa's cousin, Elvis Claus, because Santa was much too busy to attend. He will be singing "Santa Claus Boogie," "Blue Christmas," and "I Saw Mommy Kissin' Santa Claus," accompanied by the dancers.
Some of the old favorites include "Toy Soldiers," featuring the dancers, and also their "Rockettes" routine.
Hancock and 5-year-old Evan Collins, making his debut, will do a Charlie Chaplin skit called "Hats Half Off," in which they will try on all kinds of hats to buy for Christmas, from sombreros to space helmets, in silent-film style. Hancock will also sing his rendition of "Mr. Grinch."
Children
"The part Maureen loves best about the show is working with the children," said Hancock. "We always invite kids from the audience to come onstage and join in the sing-alongs. The little girls look so darling in their holiday dresses. It's also a great photo opportunity. Maureen asks them questions, and their answers are hilarious. Kids will say anything -- they are so spontaneous."
Hancock also praises Maureen's work with the little children in her workshops, who eventually become Rascals when they are ready to get out on the "big stage." "And they never seem intimidated, either," he adds.
Jeffrey Sanders, originally from Youngstown, will once again come in from Chicago to direct the Easy Street Little Big Band, made up of all professional musicians.
Hancock said that the one who has the most work cut out for her is Renee Rogers, who choreographs the Easy Street Dancers' routines. Other regular members of the company include James McClellan, Illa Willis, Colleen Crish and David Jendre. Doug Collins will appear as "Frosty the Snowman."
XThe show will be at Powers Friday and SaturdayDec. 16-17 at 8 p.m., and SundayDec. 18 at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, call (330) 743-8555.