Concert Review
Perk up your holiday with "Under the Mistletoe"

By Melinda Bargreen
Seattle Times music critic

Seattle Men's Chorus presents "Under the Mistletoe" at Benaroya Hall.

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That topic was much under discussion in Sunday's opening-night audience, and the consensus was — yup, it does get better. From the opening "Heavy Christmas" classical medley to the inspired shenanigans of the encore, this was a fast-paced, consistently engaging show that had the audience looking for handkerchiefs, not their watches.

"Underneath the Mistletoe" runs like a well-oiled sports car, with lots of fast turns, great acceleration and surprising precision. From the choreography to the set-shifting, the chorus has every detail in place with a solid professionalism that includes complete memorization of a long and complex evening's worth of music.

Only a first-rate conductor could get this kind of precision, this clear enunciation and this kind of blend from such a huge chorus — no sagging pitch or sloppy entrances here. Dennis Coleman is a master, and he gets amazing results. He has very fine support, too, from Eric Lane Barnes (the assistant artistic director and a very inventive composer/arranger), pianist Evan Stults and conductor Eric Banks (of the Esoterics; he leads the new SMC subgroup Aedonis).

The opening David Maddux medley had the audience in the aisles as the chorus members gave a holiday twist to such classical standbys as "The Ride of the Valkyries" and "The 1812 Overture," complete with choreographed movement. From there, things went from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again, always keeping the audience wondering what was coming next.

A traditional carol with antiphonal choir at the other end of the auditorium? A hilarious skit in which Mrs. ("Insubordinate") Claus declares her independence? A gorgeous melding of the Pachelbel Canon and "The First Noel," with three harps (from the University of Washington harp ensemble)? The exquisite sign-language "Silent Night"?

Singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester was on hand for Sunday's and last night's concerts only, and she was a big hit in three selections, including her new "A Mother's Prayer."

Now playing "Underneath the Mistletoe," the Seattle Men's Chorus holiday show, with Dennis Coleman conducting. Runs 8 p.m. Sunday, Monday and next Tuesday, plus 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $15.50-$55 (206-323-2992 or www.seattlemenschorus.org).

Wild cheers greeted the chorus' encore, a set of "Jingle Bells" variations set to the "Nutcracker" with a "Waltz of the Flowers" finale that must be seen to be believed. OK, now we know it's really the holiday season. Thanks, guys.

Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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