CINNAMON GRITS: Christmas in the South at Art Station

~Doc Lawrence

Everything is nice when you add a little cinnamon spice! The holiday sequel to the big hit GRITS: The Musical (Girls Raised in the South) centers on hilarious tales of holiday soirées and endearing family dysfunction. Behold how four talented belles from four different generations cope with their particular Christmas problems.

On the stage of Stone Mountain Historic Villages newly expanded, renovated Art Station Theatre, Virginia, Florence (“Flo”), Georgia and Charlotte entertain with original songs backed by a live band amid a traditional Christmas set. Lyrics and harmonies evoke nostalgia but there’s enough humor and slapstick to avoid sadness.

It’s called Christmas cheer and if this delightful production is anything, it is joyous and considering today’s troubled times, badly needed.

For almost two hours, the GRITS girls take us on a tour de force propelled by songs rooted in rock, country, jazz, blues and gospel, music forms born in the South. Toss in whimsical wardrobes and a very well designed set and you have a winnner: A holiday musical for the family.

The season encourages us to remember other Decembers. Who doesn’t feel somet sweet memory when Gene Autry’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Riendeer” fills the air? Can you really sit still when Atlanta native Brenda Lee belts out “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree?”

A talented cast equipped with glorious voices. Girls who know how to dance, laugh and joke. Original songs. Everything adds up to a rocking, jolly, good time at Art Station.

HINT: Bring a friend: A wonderful Christmas gift!

Book, Lyrics & Music by Erica Allen McGee

Tickets and showtimes: (770) 469.1105 www.artstaion.org

Through December 20.

Merry Christmas!