Christmas Ain’t A Drag – The Big Band Musical

With original rock, blues, and jazz music featuring the Christmas Ain’t A Drag Orchestra

Music and Lyrics by renowned musician David George & Composer George Johnsen

The show tells the tale of four lonely individuals whose lives intersect at a nightclub on Christmas Eve. Brad has lost love and is eager to find it. Holly is always looking for love but never seems to hold on to it. Trish has walled herself away from love. And, Nick is trying to break those walls down. Then there’s Benedict, the owner of the club – a bah humbug kinda’ guy. In the end, love conquers all! They discover love and the magic of the holiday – proving Christmas should never be a Drag!

In 2013, creator David George had written a few Christmas songs and was asked to perform them at the Record Bar in Kansas City. He brought together his band, A Crooked Mile, added some horns and rocked the house! (It was also the night he proposed to his now wife!)

2014 was the year the show began to take shape. George along with his partner composer/lyricist George Johnsen, added more songs which began to form the theme and storyline of “Christmas Ain’t A Drag.”

KANSAS CITY 2015

Christmas Ain’t A Drag became a reality in 2015 when a script was written, songs were arranged, and a venue was obtained! December 19, 2015, two shows of Christmas Ain’t A Drag were performed at the Madrid Theatre in Kansas City, MO with full-cast and band. Although it was still in its infancy, the show received rave reviews!

The NYC Debut 2019

CHRISTMAS AIN’T A DRAG made its NYC* debut December 7, 2019 at the iconic venue, The  Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, NY. The big band musical revue was a production of – CAAD PARTNERS – David George, Abbe Sparks and Ric Zivic. The 90-minute show in two Acts featured an eight-member cast* with the Christmas Ain’t A Drag Orchestra performing original rock, blues, and jazz music arranged by music director, Bob Malone (composer and keys, John Fogerty). Abbe Sparks and Ric Zivic served as Executive Producers. Billy Blanks, Jr. choreographed.

The show debuted in New York City with the goal to create a huge splash in New York with a one-night only packed house performance. Mission accomplished to fabulous reviews, advance and post coverage (unheard of for a one-night only stint). Investors, producers and directors from the theatre community and television, cable and streaming services had been waiting to see the production in its entirety as they were at the 2017 reading and the 2018 musical showcase—all at The Cutting Room.

And then COVID-19 and 2020 changed everything. The production shut down until 2022 when the creator David George put together a 9-piece band and began performing songs from the show around the Kansas City area. That is, until 2024 which brings us to Kansas City, MO at The Black Box! Five-nights full cast and full orchestra!

“*Actors in the December 7, 2019 performance: Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, [Producer], and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.”