Twelve Ways of Christmas: The Ensemble Theatre's Journey to Christmases Heart

HOUSTON, TX -- If you have a few years on you, then the more likely you’ve experienced the different ways, not days, of Christmas, as the players at The Ensemble Theatre in Midtown-Houston, will remind the audience; and several times at that. Chika Kaba Ma’Atunde’s unique concept in terms of a stage production, ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas,’ runs through December 22nd. The musical reminds us of the different ways we live each and every one of our individual Christmases each year. Not every Christmas can be perfect. We can’t all get snow, nor that special gift we really want. So we’ve all in a way experienced one of the 12 mini-plays, or ways, of Christmas forwarded on stage in song, dance and dialogue. From celebrating or dealing with family, loss, being away from home, religion, loneliness, jealousy, football or basketball games, financial implications, there are many ways in which we experience Christmas. It has been a long time since I’ve seen a Christmas production, actually, almost a year; so it was time, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The Ensemble Theatre lovingly tackles Christmas in the second show of their 2024-2025 Season themed ‘Season of Change,’ and invites you with their Jazz, R&B, and Gospel inspired Christmas songs to celebrate the ups and downs of the holiday, and makes you ponder, “Which Christmas Resonates with You?” Another odd but wonderful angle of the production is the enticing of the olfactory senses about us. I first noticed it with ‘Stew,’ when the smell of the sauteing meat wafted over the audience. This time it was a wonderful scent that is encountered at Christmas time. Peppermint. Which I detected on at least three occasions, and I thought was a wonderful addition to add another sense other than sight and sound to the mix. I love the intimacy of the George Hawkins Theatre, where even in the back, you still feel that you can reach out and touch the actors on stage, and they are not shy about standing near the apron and belting out song after beautiful song.

With The Ensemble Theater, I love the professionalism exhibited by the entire production staff, and they continue to improve, with the addition of a new sound system. I was on the first row, and my feet sometimes rested against the apron, and even that was beating along with the band, and if I were deaf I could have at least followed along with the music. The combo was awesome by the way, and were the unsung heroes of the musical. Of course the cast blew me away. The energy expended on stage with the singing and choreography alone could have powered the theater for a week. Congratulations to Aisha Ussery, who Directed and Choreographed the production. I counted like 25 songs that the players sang, and it kept getting better. With each tune, I was thinking, some of these actors are gonna get picked up and wind up on Broadway one day.

The acting was superb, and each member was perfectly cast. I love the breaking of the fourth wall on certain segments of the musical, since it personalized the experience, making it more meaningful for the audience. It was good to see Anthony Boggess-Glover again, since I thought he was brilliant in ‘Pullman Porter Blues.’ B-G’s acting spirit is skyhigh, and it is a pleasure to witness his perfection each and every time. He was joined on stage by Jakori Jackson and Fortune Onwunali. Both gentlemen gave awesome performances, and I was equally impressed with their acting abilities on stage, with great singing and dancing as well. The ladies Jazmyn Bolden, Bridgjette Taylor Jackson, Gloria Prince, and April Wheat, equally impressed and displayed remarkable teamwork, with their beauty brought to the forefront, their acting and singing abilities entrancing the audience.

The different Ways of Christmas were each special in their own ways. The Family Christmas takes place back when selfies were done with a Polaroid camera, starting off the journey. The singing makes you want to join in the happy occasion. I did. With the song ‘Game Time,’ we find the first instance of breaking the fourth wall, with the ladies speaking to the audience about the gentleman taking their naps, before yelling out it was game time. I love how the women gave lessons on consoling their guys especially after their team lost the game. The ladies from Dallas would be well informed if they saw that little dialogue. You have the Financial Christmas, Child’s Christmas, A Hidden Gift, Romantic Christmas and others.

The cast remembers those who have passed away, which was very special. In my extended family, there are thoughts in our mind about loss on Christmas, since my World War II uncle on my mother’s side died on the Joyous Day. Christmas can be the happiest time of the year, or the loneliest. I thought the Fiesta Christmas was very nicely done with its Latin theme. The dancing was incredible, and the audience really enjoyed the segment, marveling at the incredible energy that was expended.

There was sadness noted after the intermission. The subway song ‘It Just Ain’t the Same,’ focuses on the inner city life, and how Christmases can be lacking happiness; as well as ‘Billie B,” which is a sad Christmas song with Boggess-Glover portraying a wino singing about the legend, who is living on the other side. It was nicely done. The Military Christmas was another touching tribute about the men and women of our military forces deployed to combat zones during the holidays. And being a war veteran myself, it took me back, especially since I missed many Christmases with my family. With the song ‘Over There,’ a military mother deployed to a danger zone calls back home to check on her husband and children, a complete reversal of the George M. Cohan song of World War I. The longing for a special someone in your life with ‘One Day (That’ll Be Me),’ sung by April Wheat, was really striking with its lonely theme. The duet portion with Fortune Onwunali gives hope to those searching for love with the right person.

With the True Christmas, the reverence shown to God and its Gospelish message was refreshing. “Can you say AMEN!” It was bold. It actually felt like a true church event, with the singing and dancing, the hand clapping, as well as the audience participation. The preaching on the Birth of Jesus was welcomed, and the interpretive dance on the Nativity Story was touching and wonderfully choreographed. I appreciated everything that was offered by the players. The New Life. The River of Tears. The installation of hope and overcoming of personal darkness.

As usual, the Ensemble’s set impresses. I loved the band's little perch. Their performance was exceptional, studio-like, and coupled with the singing, felt like a spontaneous event that could never be repeated. Chika Kaba Ma’Atunde (writing and musical direction) and Aisha Ussery make for an exceptional team, creating a product that I say is a Holiday Journey to the Heart of Christmas. The Twelve Ways of Christmas is an opportunity to share your love with family and friends, to celebrate the birth of The Savior of Our Big Blue Marble, and it most certainly will make you appreciate life on the most celebrated day of the year.

‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ runs until December 22nd at The Ensemble Theatre. For tickets and donations: ensemblehouston.com

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net