The Catastrophic Theatre
Presents
A Very Tamarie Christmas
by Tamarie Cooper, Patrick Reynolds, and friends
July 18 – August 30, 2014
Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm
All tickets Pay-What-You-Can
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What would summer in Houston be without Christmas?
Err, without a new Tamarie Cooper musical comedy extravaganza?
This year Tamarie trains her zany wit on Christmas and our holiday-obsessed culture.
It’s never too early to put out the inflatable yard decorations or to spread holiday musical comedy cheer! But Tamarie’s yuletide joy is quickly dampened when Christmas, himself, quits the show.
Searching for a worthy holiday replacement, Tamarie and the gang lead us, Holiday Inn style, through the great American holiday traditions, encountering twerking Easter bunnies, a union of lesser-known holidays, failed New Year’s resolutions, feuding presidents, a bitter and jaded Cupid, dancing skeletons, Christopher Columbus and many more ridiculous characters along the way.
A Very Tamarie Christmas will feature the wacky costumes, dance numbers, and insanity you’ve come to expect, but with all the sparkly holiday trimmings and plastic snow you’ve been missing! With a cast of dozens and a live band, Tamarie celebrates the holidays with as much angst and equivocation as you probably find in your own dysfunctional homes.
Guaranteed to be the first Christmas special you’ll see all year!
(We might even beat the holiday shopping rush.)
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A Very Tamarie Christmas is the 17th production of the Tamarie Cooper juggernaut. Since 1996, Tamarie has wowed Houston audiences almost every summer with an entirely original, full-scale, musical comedy extravaganza – filled to the brim with songs and gags and hi-jinx from some of Houston’s funniest theatre artists. Without question, her original plays have been among the most wildly popular summer offerings. Tamarie’s shows truly are a unique, and uniquely Houstonian phenomenon. And Houston audiences have loved her for it.
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Tamarie Cooper has been performing her entire life. She is associate director of The Catastrophic Theatre, which she co-founded in 2007 with longtime collaborator and dear friend, Jason Nodler. Originally trained in dance, she began working in theatre at HSPVA and helped to found the Infernal Bridegroom company in 1993, where she worked for fourteen years. She is a seasoned actor, director, designer, choreographer and occasional writer, best known for her original musicals, which enjoy highly successful runs and a cult-like following in Houston. Tamarie has been featured in national trade magazine Stage Directions and has received various “Best of Houston” awards from The Houston Press for her performances and original work. In addition to her original work, favorite roles/productions include: Marie and Bruce (Marie), Fleaven (choreographer), Hide Town (Miss Iva), Medea (Medea), Rhinoceros (director), A Soap Opera (Andrea), We Have Some Planes, Fucking A (Hester), Happy Days(Winnie), Guys and Dolls (Adelaide). Tamarie is married to Zach Elkins, a custom furniture designer. They are the proud parents of Rose, the most wonderful little girl in the whole wide world.
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Conceived, directed, and choreographed by Tamarie Cooper.
Book by Tamarie Cooper and Patrick Reynolds.
Music by Miriam Daly and Joe Folladori.
Lyrics by Tamarie Cooper, Miriam Daly, Joe Folladori, Miki Johnson, and Patrick Reynolds.
Featuring Shanon Adams, Jazmine Blas, Noel Bowers, Greg Dean,Dennis Draper, John Dunn, Jeanne Harris, Xzavien Hollins, Brandy Holmes,Christian Holmes, Jessica Janes, Karina Pal Montaño-Bowers, Mateo Mpinduzi-Mott, Rebecca Randall, Rachel Rubin, Fleet Simons, Kyle Sturdivant, and Abraham Zeus Zapata.
Chris Bakos, Loretta Kovacic, Cathy Power, and Kirk Suddreath comprise the band.
Scenic design is by Ryan McGettigan with lighting by Eric Marsh, costumes by Tamarie Cooper andClaire Anderson, sound by Bill Day and Tim Thomson, and props by Tina Montgomery. Chloe DeHoyos stage manages.
And, of course, starring Tamarie Cooper.