MARINE CITY, Mich. – There are many ways to spend a weekend afternoon or evening, and there are so many choices in entertainment. But few of those choices can offer you the solid, nostalgic kind of fun that can be had at The Snug in Marine City with Hometown Holiday: A 1940s Radio Show.

Comcast/Xfinity is a proud sponsor of EncoreMichigan and of professional theatre throughout Michigan.

The premise here is that the cast, comprised of members of The Michigan Caroling Company, performs a holiday show in the style of a radio variety show – 1940s style. And variety it truly is! What you get for your entertainment dollar is a romp through dozens of familiar Christmas tunes performed in 1940s style, plus storytelling, audience participation in sing-a-longs and games, cooking ideas for your holiday gatherings, old-fashioned radio sound-effects, and even musical commercial jingles highlighting the theatre’s real-life local sponsors. They even sneak in some bits of songs that were not around during the 1940s, just for fun.

Some fun surprises are included. For example, do you know that Santa actually had 12 reindeer? Do you know that “Over the Rainbow” can be sung in “scat?” Do you know how many uses there are for PET evaporated milk? And who can resist “Twas the Night Before Christmas” narrated by cowboys and private detectives?

Anyone who loves traditional Christmas music will enjoy this show, and anyone who enjoys music of the 1940s will absolutely love it. The Michigan Caroling Company performs most of the songs as an ensemble, with complex, tight and balanced harmonies. Solos are not prominently featured, but when they are the individual voices are impressive. One of the highlights is the arrangement of “O Holy Night,” sung by three soloists, accompanied by the rest of the ensemble singing multiple other Christmas tunes in counterpoint.

A word must be said about the costuming as well, especially for the ladies. Any admirer of vintage styles will appreciate the fantastic dresses, shoes and hairstyles. And while there isn’t much in the way of lighting or other special effects, the old-fashioned sound effects were rather fascinating in their own right.

This show is enjoyable and appropriate for all ages, including older children. It will delight you with the nostalgic sound of the 1940s, and surely get you in the Christmas spirit.

Hometown Holiday: A 1940s Radio Show is playing at The Snug through November 26, 2016.

Click here for show days, times and details.