Here comes Christmas
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 10 months AGO
The cast of The Best of Christmas. Clockwise from top: Mark Cotter, Molly Allen, Ellen Travolta, Margaret Travolta and Abbey Crawford.
BILL BULEY/Press
COEUR d'ALENE — Troy Nickerson directs The Travolta Christmas Show “Best of Christmas" that opens this week.
But it's about more than fine-tuning the performances of a top-notch cast.
"It truly is kind of my Christmas with my family," he said. "In some ways, it's my whole Christmas season."
Nickerson has no doubt that from the time the curtain opens Friday to when it closes the Sunday before Christmas, the five actors will have delivered an unforgettable holiday gift to the community.
"The more time I spend with them, I know we're putting something memorable together," he said.
Ellen Travolta, sister Margaret Travolta, daughter Molly Allen and friends Abbey Crawford and Mark Cotter are bringing the Best of Christmas to The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Jenny Shotwell will be on piano and Eugene Jablonski on bass. The show premieres Friday and runs every Thursday to Sunday through Dec. 18.
"It kicks off the season for a lot of people," Ellen said.
This year’s show, now in its 10th season, will feature stories, songs, bits and letters that reflect Christmas memories and miracles, all packed into about 70 minutes.
Some are based on personal experiences, while others came from the community.
Ellen described it as a "culmination of all the things you love about Christmas."
The Travolta Christmas Show started as a cabaret and has become a treasured North Idaho tradition.
"It's a wonderful, heartfelt family show. And I love all these people," Ellen said, looking at the team around her. "They're all great. They're real pros."
Cotter, from Palm Springs, Calif., said it promises to be an intimate, energetic evening of songs and stories that will reflect "a really happy Christmas."
Which is no surprise.
"I love Christmas," Cotter said. "As a matter of fact, my tree is up in Palm Springs already."
Crawford said being in the Best of Christmas is like being part of a family. That sense of family is such that the audience begins to feel part of the show, too.
"It's personable," she said. "These women are amazingly authentic and delightful."
Allen loves sharing the stage with her mom and aunt, and is proud to be part of a show that many have said ushers in the holidays.
"It's when Christmas starts," she said.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, and 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets: bit.ly/3V8tXhi
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Kennewick woman killed in Othello-area collision
OTHELLO — A Kennewick woman was killed when she ran into a semitruck at the intersection of SR 26 and South Booker Road early Thursday morning.
State Route 26 closed due to fatality collision
OTHELLO — State Route 26 is closed due to a fatality collision between a car and a semitruck near South Booker Road about four miles east of Othello, according to information from the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Department of Transportation. The road was closed about 6:30 a.m., according to the WSDOT. This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.
Coeur d'Alene to host fair housing training
Event takes place at public library in October
In this spirit, the city of Coeur d’Alene will soon provide a free “Fair Housing and Hot Topics” training. Partnering with Intermountain fair Housing Council, the event is slated for noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave.