Comfort and Joy

<p>Dancers in the "Traditions of Christmas," from left, Vanessa Butler, Sarah Paul, Rochele Trainer and Grace Dibble rehearse their moves.</p>

<p>Lizzie Benson, 16, left is illuminated by the battery-powered candles held by Bridget Erb, 12, and other performers during a dress rehearsal Monday for the "Traditions of Christmas" musical at the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene.</p>

by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | December 14, 2012 8:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - Who starts a Christmas story with numbers? Especially a musical known for spectacular singing and dancing?

Well, sometimes, numbers spell out the magnitude of a show, more than words.

That said, consider these statistics about "Traditions of Christmas" by Laura Little Theatrical Productions that opens tonight at the Kroc Center:

• 387 costumes

• 80 cast members, including 22 kids

• 60 people singing "Hallelujah"

• 47 songs or partial songs

• Santas from 8 countries.

• 2 sheep, 1 donkey, 1 horse and sled

• Paid staff: 2 musical directors, 2 choreographers, director, 5 costumers, stage manager, production assistant, business manger

• Running time, 1 hour, 45 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission

• 12 shows

OK, enough of the numbers.

This statement by Alli Ballard, one of the dancers, sums it up best:

"It's a Christmas spectacular, unlike any other that anybody has seen."

Here's what you'll see and hear:

Dancing elves, gingerbread dolls, toy soldiers and magical toys. There's a Living Nativity scene. There are Dickens scenes, international Santas and customs, a winter wonderland with falling snow, stomp-style scene and a special tribute to the military and other industries key to the community. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe will perform and share some of their holiday customs

Should the spirit strike, you're welcome to sing-along to favorites like "White Christmas" and "Joy to the World."

Traditions, says Little, is truly the perfect show to capture the sights and sounds of Christmas and she's thrilled to bring it to North Idaho.

She noted that in San Diego, Traditions of Christmas is wildly popular, attracting 250,000 patrons over the years.

"We plan to run this show year after year, making it a family tradition in the Northwest," she said.

Love at first show

It was San Diego where Little's daughter, Jessi, was in Traditions of Christmas in 2001.

It was then she fell in the love with the show.

Little, a Broadway Tony Award winning co-producer, has long talked of bringing the show to North Idaho. She asked Jeremy Lapp, who worked on the show in San Diego for 11 years, if she could get it to Coeur d'Alene, would he direct it?

Sure, said Lapp. He doubted that time would come, until Little called last year.

Lapp, assistant director of "Bonnie and Clyde" on Broadway, was true to his word. Auditions were held in the spring, rehearsals began in August.

Final dress runs were this week. Cast and crew went through routines, made certain costumes fit, practiced lines and moves.

Looks good.

"We're ready," she said.

Traditions "has a little bit of everything." Dancing, smiling, laughing and all the feel-good stuff that comes with Christmas.

There's a Bing Crosby scene, a Nutcracker scene. There's singing monks. There's 60 people singing "Hallelujah."

Each segment is short, so no one will get bored wondering what's next.

"There's a lot of different pieces to it," Little said.

Traditions will run through Dec. 29 - after Christmas.

"It's either the smartest thing I've ever done, or the dumbest," she said, laughing. "We'll talk the 30th."

She has found that once Dec. 25 has come and gone, people are looking for something to do with their guests, or when they return home from holiday travels.

Many go to movies.

"Why not have this for them to do?" she said.

Christmas Performers

Alli Ballard of Coeur d'Alene is a kick line dancer in Traditions. She auditioned because she thought it would be a good experience, and she likes the Rockettes on Broadway.

It's been everything she hoped, and yes, then some.

Ballard and other dancers have become like family in recent months as they've sharpened for the moments in front of what's expected to be a packed house.

"It's been amazing getting to know all of these girls," she said.

Andy Renfrew, another performer, watched a rehearsal Tuesday as he waited for his run-through.

The stage veteran said Traditions of Christmas is different than local theater shows because it's such a large production.

"It's totally something different. It's going to be a lot of fun," he said.

Sitting in costume just a few days before opening night, Renfrew said there's always that one looming question, "Are we going to make it?"

No sweat.

"It always comes together," he said. "It's amazing."

Little said Traditions will showcase the area's talent, which rose to the standards of the demanding show.

She pointed out the Rockette numbers are taxing, yet the gals make it look easy.

"They can really dance. These girls can really dance. They worked hard for it," she said.

Shows like Traditions, she said, can be done here.

Even the backdrops, created by local artist David Clemons and the University of Montana students, are worth noting.

"If you raise the bar and expect a lot out of people, they're going to rise to that level," she said.

Little is particularly fond of the scenes that serve as a tribute to the military. Her father was a Marine, and will be in town to see the show.

"I cry every single time they rehearse it," she said. "I get a little teary-eyed. I think other people will, too."

Bucket list

For Little, Traditions of Christmas is more than another show.

It's been a dream to produce it - it's even on her bucket list.

"It's a show I had to do before I die," she said, laughing.

And that list, career-wise, is down to three:

1. Produce a show on Broadway, which she did with "Peter and the Starcatcher."

2. Be the lead producer of a Broadway show, which she hopes to do with "Johnny Baseball."

3. Produce Traditions of Christmas in Coeur d'Alene.

Two down. When she hits three, "I'll retire," she said, smiling.

Producing Traditions is not without risk.

Little took out an $83,000 loan against the Hayden Lake home she owns with husband Brent Little to fund the musical.

She won't make that back in this year - but believes it will fall into the black, eventually.

"It's going to be here year after year," she said.

Little loves Christmas. She always has.

It's a time to be with families, a time when people slow down, even stop, what they're doing to be with loved ones.

"I don't slow down, except I will the day before Christmas, Christmas, and the day after," she said. "I just really enjoy my family at that time."

Traditions is a chance to spread that feeling throughout the community. There is no show like it in the region.

"Every time somebody saw it in San Diego they talked about how much they loved it, and they walked out in the Christmas spirit. This will do that to you."

She believes people will walk out "full of joy."

"It's a pretty magical show," Little said. "The whole town is going to be blown away."

If you go

"Traditions of Christmas" opens Friday at the Kroc Center. It is "a musical journey of all the greatest Christmas songs and traditions from around the world." Show times this weekend are 7 tonight, 3 and 7 on Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. It continues 7 p.m. Dec. 20; 7 p.m. Dec. 21 (sold out); 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 22; 3 p.m. Dec. 23; 7 p.m. Dec. 28; and 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 29. Individual prices: $32, adult, $26, senior 62-plus, $15 for 12 and under. Group rates, 10-20 people, $25 adults/Sr; 21 or more, $20. Info: www.traditionsofchristmasnw.com or (208) 391-2867 or at New York Bagels Cafe and Deli, 226 Ironwood Drive, Coeur d'Alene.