Spread Some Holiday Queer (Cheer!) with a War on Christmas

After seeing Scott Shoemaker’s War on Christmas!, I can say confidently that this is a show you absolutely cannot miss. With a wicked sense of humor, fantastic musical parodies, and costumes that are equal parts stunning and hilarious, War on Christmas! has it all.

Even this writer, a known Christmas naysayer, found the holiday spirit while watching the spectacular production, and it will no doubt melt even the Grinchiest of hearts. This annual show, brought to us by Shoes and Pants Productions and Theatre Off Jackson, makes a wonderful introduction to the holiday season and will fill you with Xmas joy.

Joel Domenico singing

The Evergreen Echo

The show opens with our beloved host, narrator, and protagonist, Scott Shoemaker, grooving along with his War on Christmas dancers, played by a host of wonderful and talented actors. Joined by Ade, Mandy Price, Joel Domenico (5th Avenue Theatre’s productions of Disney’s the Little Mermaid and Sweeny Todd), and Major Scales (Richard Andriessen, aka the other half of “The Vaudevillians” with Jinkx Monsoon), Scott Shoemaker invites us to find the love of Christmas within us all.

And during this tumultuous year, with presidential elections, pygmy hippos, and Boeing planes losing their doors, Scott has us consider one very important question: Who will win the Miss Junior Mint’s Christmas Pageant (the best Christmas Pageant ever! [obviously])?

Like previous productions of War on Christmas!, you can expect raunchy jokes, a terrific talent show, outstanding costumes, a whole lot of red and green sparkles, and magic. Anything is possible with our zany cast of characters. From an existential puppet show, to a Christmas Troll remix of Backstreet Boys’ “It’s Gunna be Me,” to the sexiest dance with a blow-up Santa you’ve ever seen, this show will knock your holiday socks off with each and every scene, character, and musical number.

You can feel the influence of drag, burlesque, musical theater, and improv sketches throughout the production. Witness incredible wigs, phenomenal singing, fun, queer characters, and off-the-wall humor—there’s something for everyone to love. Each scene somehow manages to be even funnier and more creative than the last, bringing together talented actors, outstanding costume design, and a beautiful set to make something that feels positively divine. (And we can’t forget the most important set piece: the magical radio that helps Scott save Christmas!)

But amongst all this holiday cheer, not even Scott can keep the day from going sideways. With happy pills in hand and a pageant to host, Scott discovers that someone is trying to ruin Christmas by stealing Christmas cookies and lights straight from people’s houses. But who could this Christmas-ruiner be? Is it the child-eating Krampus, the naughty Christmas trolls, or someone Scott himself could never predict?

Major Scales and Scott Shoemaker holding a "human centipede" inspired garland.

The Evergreen Echo

Beyond a hilarious and engaging production, Scott Shoemaker’s War on Christmas! reminds us that Christmas can be for everyone, and that the tradition of Christmas traces back far and wide. Via stories of Krampus, Icelandic Christmas trolls, and the Pagan celebrations of Winter Solstice, Xmas traditions have withstood the test of time. As Scott reminds us, winter celebrations are made to help us survive the brutal cold, to come together, and find a reason to be merry when the world is so dark. Whether you find yourself on the naughty list or not, Scott tells us that Xmas and the holidays have a spot in all our hearts, and that even those of us who find it difficult to celebrate can find something to enjoy.

The only thing that might be better than this show (and trust me, it’s a tight race), is the energy from the audience. With each fart joke, dance number, and character introduction, the crowd cheered, clapped, and laughed along. Waiting for the show to begin, I saw dozens of people already decked out in their holiday best, getting ready to enjoy the War on Christmas! Wearing reindeer onesies, Santa hats, or ugly Christmas sweaters, the crowd came prepared to celebrate, and it was with their energy that Scott Shoemaker’s War on Christmas! came alive.

As a predominantly queer show and queer audience, War on Christmas! feels like the very best of every gay club and drag show experience. The audience was invited to be their whole selves and find community even during a holiday when many Queer people feel unwelcome. And, following a difficult year for the Queer community, this kind of space feels necessary, especially during Seattle’s darkest and rainiest season.

Theatre Off Jackson is an amazing venue, and alongside their wonderful Christmas decorations you can also get some special holiday cocktails to keep your night merry and warm. This show is a must see!