| Chris, Mrs. | |
|---|---|
 Production artwork | |
| Music | Matthew Stodolak, Katie Kerr |
| Lyrics | Matthew Stodolak, Katie Kerr |
| Premiere | December 7, 2023: Winter Garden Theatre, Toronto |
| Productions | 2023 Toronto |
Chris, Mrs. is a 2023 musical with music, lyrics, and book by Matthew Stodolak and Katie Kerr. The musical is set around Christmas, and is based on Hallmark Channel Christmas-themed films.
Development
In 2020, Matthew Stodolak and Katie Kerr developed the project aiming to make Chris Mrs. a movie. A Kickstarter campaign was created as a fundraiser for the project, with Chilina Kennedy and Danielle Wade performing sample songs.
Production history
Toronto (2023)
The musical had its world premiere at the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto, with previews beginning on December 5, 2023, and an official opening night on December 7, later closing on December 31, 2023. The production was directed by Katie Kerr and choreographed by Sarah Vance. The cast included Liam Tobin, AJ Bridel, Danielle Wade, and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane. The production received positive reviews from critics.
Cast and characters
| Role | Workshop | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | |
| Ben Chris | George Krissa | Liam Tobin |
| Holly Carmichael | Danielle Wade | |
| Vicki Vandrelle | Julia McLellan | Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane |
| Claire Chris | AJ Bridel | |
| Cole Jackson | Kolton Stewart | Andrew Broderick |
| Charlie Chris | Kale Penny | |
| Tim Penner | Henry Firmston | |
| Candace Brown | Sarah Lynn Strange | |
| Nick | Mark Weatherley | |
| Samantha Chris | Finn Cofell | Finn Cofell Addison Wagman |
| Samuel Chris | Lucas Way | Lucien Duncan-Reid Isaac Grates-Myers |
Musical numbers
|
Act I
|
Act II
|
Cast recording
A studio cast recording was released digitally on December 6, 2024. The album featured Adam Jacobs, Danielle Wade, Samantha Pauly, AJ Bridel, and Danny Burstein.
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Overture" | Ensemble | 0:52 |
| 2. | "Just Another Jingle" | Adam Jacobs, Samantha Pauly, Sarah Strange, Finn Cofell, Isaac Grates-Myers | 6:15 |
| 3. | "Ready To Try" | Danielle Wade, Kale Penny | 3:47 |
| 4. | "Dear Santa" | Cofell, Grates-Myers, AJ Bridel | 3:55 |
| 5. | "What You Missed" | Penny, Jacobs, Kolton Stewart, Henry Firmston, Bridel, Cofell, Grates-Myers | 3:44 |
| 6. | "All I Want For Christmas" | Bridel | 3:36 |
| 7. | "Capture The Moment" | Wade, Cofell, Grates-Myers, Danny Burstein, Strange | 3:19 |
| 8. | "A Christmas Song" | Wade, Jacobs, Strange | 5:07 |
| 9. | "Vicki's Lament" | Pauly | 2:56 |
| 10. | "Skating By" | Stewart, Firmston, Bridel | 4:14 |
| 11. | "Even If It Breaks My Heart" | Wade | 3:37 |
| 12. | "The Great Snowy Owl" | Jacobs, Cofell, Grates-Myers | 4:18 |
| 13. | "Santa Dear" | Burstein, Strange | 1:44 |
| 14. | "Vicki's Reprise" | Pauly | 1:13 |
| 15. | "What You Missed (reprise)" | Jacobs | 1:03 |
| 16. | "Are You There?" | Jacobs, Wade, Bridel, Cofell, Grates-Myers, Firmston, Matthew Stodolak | 3:08 |
| 17. | "Different This Year" | Jacobs, Wade, Penny, Bridel, Firmston, Cofell, Grates-Myers, Strange | 3:04 |
| Total length: | 55:59 | ||
References
- ^ "Review: Chris, Mrs, a cozy new Christmas musical, has all the hallmarks of a modest holiday hit in world premiere at Winter Garden Theatre". The Globe and Mail. December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- Wild, Stephi (July 20, 2023). "Chris, Mrs. Will Have its World Premiere in Toronto". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- "A musical inspired by holiday Hallmark movies is coming to Toronto. Here's what to expect from the show". CTV News Toronto. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- "Canadian Theatre Stars Liam Tobin, Danielle Wade & Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane Announced for the World Premiere of Chris, Mrs. - A New Holiday Musical". Newswire. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- Lucas, Ilana (December 8, 2023). "Review: Chris, Mrs. at Winter Garden Theatre". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- Fricker, Karen (December 9, 2023). "No panto? No problem! 'Chris, Mrs.,' 'frequently daft, lots of fun,' is this year's go-to family holiday show". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- "Meet our incredible cast!". Instagram. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- "Canadian Theatre Stars Liam Tobin, Danielle Wade & Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane Announced for the World Premiere of Chris, Mrs. - A New Holiday Musical". Newswire. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- Sharpe, Josh (6 December 2024). "Chris, Mrs Musical Studio Album Now Available to Stream". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 12 December 2024.