The Rockin’ Holiday Revue at the Bastrop Opera House was a great way to celebrate Christmas. Instead of the solemnity of much music surrounding the holiday, this went all the way to Elvis-style rock (Collin Moore, lead photo).
It is not often that the Executive Director of any theatre gets to be part of the show, but Lisa Holcomb had lots of stage time here; she even sang one song! Her selection, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (accompanied only by guitar), was like the eye at the centre of a hurricane. Aside from that oasis of calm, this show really was rockin’.
Holcomb also had important news, as related in the program notes. Speaking of the venerable 1889 Opera House,
“I write to you with a dream that goes beyond the walls we have now. You see, the Opera House is bursting at the seams. We’ve outgrown the space that has served us so faithfully. That’s why we acquired the historic building right next door.” Once fitted out, the extension “will have space for rehearsals, performances, and even gathering places where friendships can flourish before and after the curtain falls.”
Held together with running gags and gimmicks, Rockin’ Holiday Revue even had its own version of Love Shack by the B52s (I saw them ring in the New Year of 2001, in Miami Beach). Here the lyrics have been changed, with the title Toy Sack. Dustin Bartee got into full vocals after lugging a huge sack of toys across the stage.
The show had its own special dose of Bah Humbug, in the person of Gabrielle Guerra Palma, who actually wore a Bah Humbug sweater. She played the Grinchy Stage Manager who was on and off the stage many times in an effort to keep the performance moving along.
In addition to Collin Moore (whose rendition of Till New Years Night was spectacular), other stand-out performers were J Flores (convincingly portraying a fairy; third from left in second photo), Chase Lancaster as the Charmingly Corny MC, and his MC cohort Candice Anderson Carraway (centre stage in second photo).
With some two dozen tunes, every member of the musical cast got to shine, and collectively they maintained a high level of enthusiasm. The circuit breakers in the old Opry House must be quite robust and none of the electric performances caused the lights to go out!
A joyous way to get one ready for Christmas. This is an annual tradition, so be sure to visit in Dec 2026.
The cast included:
Kelsey Layton, Jason Lucio, Shellanie Steger, Aline Forastieri, Chera Tribble, Megan DePaoli; live music by Marc Lionetti, Thomas Shaw, Alex Henley and Corey Goldsmith.
The Bastrop Opera House, one of the gems of central Texas, has an exciting lineup of productions set for 2026:
The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee (Feb. 6-22)
Lost in Yonkers (Mar. 13-22)
Rent (Apr. 10-May 3)
Puffs (May 22-31)
Anything Goes (July 17-Aug. 8)
Newsies (Sept 4-27)
Visit their website for tickets, and to donate towards the expanded facility next door: bastropoperahouse.org