Macomb, MI – December 20-23, 2025

As the bells in The Cathedral clock tower strike and the sun hides behind the hills, the night infiltrates these sacred grounds, and Nico Montague must face the darkness. When his Shadow Self infiltrates his persona, he must make a choice: succumb to the power of a false reality or defeat the shadow that seeks to overtake him.

Forging its own path in the holiday season of Christmas Classics, this original production created and directed by Matthew Muns, puts a different lens on the holiday season. In a time often celebrated as the most joyful season, Noel Noir explores the other side of the coin, for those whose Christmas traditions have become tearful, full of grief, and left them feeling alone.

Tortured by the loss of his sister, Nico Montague (Noah Phelan) slips into depression. Born from the sorrow, his Shadow Self (Matthew Muns) assumes the authoritative role as Nico slips behind the protection of his Persona, wearing a protective mask to society. Forced to confront the ghosts of his past, the demons of his present, and the darkness that shroud his future, Nico must endure the terror of The Cathedral in order to reach the light.

Arsène’s black box venue, The Cathedral, fully demonstrates how it earned its name as it transports audiences into an abandoned cathedral, lit only by the dim stained glass and candlelight vigil.

As the curtain rises, the audience joins Nico inside one of his counseling sessions with a psychiatrist. Through the method of inkblots, Nico begins to subvert his inner consciousness and the audience is swept into his mind as the denizens of The Cathedral infiltrate reality.

Here he meets an ethereal cast of bizarre characters including the mischievous Madame de Folie (Jamie Collick), the brooding boy of ice, Frost (Matthew Phelan), and the playful snowman, Alea Toire (JM Ethrdige). The Cathedral is occupied by The Unseen, the faceless Ensemble members of the world and The Veiled who comprise the show’s company of dancers.

Audiences can expect a myriad of Christmas classics with a unique twist including “Silent Night” (Noah Phelan), “Sugar Plum Fairies” (Dance), “O, Holy Night” (Heidi Riggs), “What Child Is This” (Visual Demo), and “Once Upon A December” (Mary Kate Pardington), and “Grown Up Christmas List” (Shannon Lafrate).

The show also features a jukebox assortment of unexpected accompaniments to facilitate the narrative like “The River” (Jacob Stoliker), “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Sarah Pardington), “Sally’s Song” (Sydney Carroll), “Memory” (Heidi Riggs), and “Life On Mars” (Mirabella Ziegler).

Contrastingly with the spirit of the cathedral, the heavenly chorus is comprised of The Silent Sisters whose renditions of traditional hymns are mystifying with “Didn’t Leave Nobody But The Baby” and “Down In The River To Pray.”

Nico’s story is interwoven with a Cirque du Soleil-inspired variety presentation that brings together multiple performance mediums, including: dance, theatre, live music, physical comedy, and aerial arts.

Noel Noir is an original production, promoted as a one-of-a-kind show that you and your family will not forget! An open-ended, interpretive experience that emphasizes what you see, what resonates, and ultimately what you feel.

The show explores heavy topics, but despite its darker themes, Arsène recommends the show for all ages. Only due to certain costuming, darker lighting, and the implication of heavier topics, would we suggest that parents be aware and extend a viewer discretion warning.

Prevailing beyond the dark themes is a message of hope and how light overcomes all shadow. It is a message of encouragement in an otherwise difficult season and one that audience members everywhere will resonate with.

Noel Noir opens Friday, December 20 running for a limited-weekend through Monday, December 23 at The Cathedral in Macomb, MI.

Go to arseneperformingarts.com for tickets and information