"Snowed In (Again)": The New Holiday Show You Never Knew You Needed
Review of Snowed In (Again) at ArtsWest
Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer VIOLET SPRAGUE and edited by Teen Editorial Staff member KAYLEE YU
The holidays are here! Snowed In (Again), by ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery, is a festive new way to kick off the season. In a hilarious musical about putting on a musical, four real-life Seattle theater stars–portraying themselves–are snowed in, racing to write a spectacular Christmas show to top last year’s production. With an abundance of amusing new Christmas songs, a spectacular set, and unforgettable characters to root for, this won’t be a holiday season to forget. A sequel to last year’s Snowed In, ArtsWest’s Snowed In (Again) delivered a cozy, cheery 80 minutes of festive fun that kept us glued to our seats watching this heartwarming story unfold.
Amongst everything that made this show worth seeing, there was an element of this show that set it apart from the holiday-show crowd. The actors in the show, Lauren Drake, Ays Garcia, Alexander Kilian, and Brandon Riel, were playing exaggerated versions of themselves, scrambling against the clock to write the very show for ArtsWest that we were watching unfold. This self-referential, fourth-wall-breaking approach added a unique layer of humor and complexity to the performance. There were many Seattle references woven into the script which was entertaining for those in the know, such as Snoqualmie pass, Capitol Hill, and even Jet City Improv. At the very end, the characters became self-aware and acknowledged their own fictional reality, humorously breaking the fourth wall by realizing that the show they’ve been preparing for is the very one that they’re performing in.
Surprisingly, the primary feeling that came to mind when watching this show was intimacy. With the stage set on the floor, the actors performed on the same level as the audience which enabled more interaction—for instance, inviting everyone to sing along at the finale. Their separate stories of family and tradition further drew you in, and this physical and emotional closeness made the characters feel less like distant performers and more like friends you could genuinely root for and connect with. Combined with the small, cozy theater, the set fostered the feeling of a shared room rather than a traditional performing space. I felt this also added to a sense of community between audience members, despite us all being strangers. The warm, inclusive atmosphere made the experience feel deeply personal and added an extra layer of joy to the performance.
The show delivered a twist on classic Christmas songs (Deck the Halls, In the Bleak Midwinter) as well as adding many entertaining original compositions (It Won’t Be a Silent Night, I’m Happy Being Hosted, Grampus). The combination of familiar holiday pieces and originals provided a satisfying blend of nostalgia and novelty. All of the songs were solely accompanied by a singular pianist, Aaron Jin, and sung by only four actors out of a cast of five.
Despite the tiny cast, each person managed to bring their own unique personalities to the stage, mirroring their real-life personas and creating a dynamic world with their performances. Each character—Lauren, Brandon, Ays, and Alex—had a different background, personality, and story to tell about the holiday traditions they grew up with, whether it was attending mass at midnight or a fierce paper snowflake competition between siblings. Despite their differences, they came together to create a heartwarming friendship. There were many jokes shared between the four, though I will say some worked better into the story than others. Regardless, the audience was engaged and laughing the whole way through, and the lack of an ensemble or large accompanying orchestra made the show feel personal and authentic.
Though the cast certainly added to the cozy, intimate feel of this show, I would say that the set, designed by Brandon Riel, contributed just as much. In the small theater, it filled the space. The set was dressed immaculately to look like the inside of a quaint, inviting cabin, complete with a crackling fireplace, a Christmas tree, a grand piano, and a large window framing a snowy scene outside. It was extremely detailed, yet it didn’t feel too maximalist or cluttered. Combined with the physical closeness we had to the stage, it truly felt like we were immersed in this idealistic world. The lighting was cleverly designed as well—warm and golden closer to the inside of the cabin and icy blue around the edges perfected the feeling of a cozy cabin amidst the blizzard, and it truly felt like we were “snowed in” with the characters.
The challenge with any sequel is ensuring that the audience is able to understand and enjoy the story without knowing the original show. This play made many references to last year’s show, Snowed In, that made me wish I could have seen it to have a little more context. However, it was not in any way necessary to follow along with the events of the show.
Although the audience was laughing the whole way through, Snowed In (Again)’s message was ultimately heartwarming. As they each shared their personal stories, the four friends discovered that the holidays are more than keeping old traditions; it’s about bringing together new ones in a shared celebration of unity and joy. This theme extended beyond the stage, reflecting how people from all different walks of life can come together to create something new and special. This message was extended to the audience, creating a feeling of community amongst strangers, and teaching us what the holidays are really about.
The dedication that went into each song, the set design, the message, and the overall feel of the production created not only a heartwarming and thoroughly enjoyable show, but a shared moment that truly captured the warmth of the holiday atmosphere and a newfound and tight-knit community. If you’re looking for a musical that captures all the charm, humor, and heart of the Christmas season in just 80 minutes, Snowed In (Again) is the perfect way to celebrate the magic of Christmas.
Lead photo courtesy of ArtsWest.
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