Last year, on December 7th,  The Imperial Theatre  was packed with children, family, friends and Broadway fans attending the first preview of Ruben and Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show. The audience reacted loudly and enthusiastically; a good time was had by all.

It was very exciting to see the wonderful reviews for Clay and Ruben’s Christmas Show.  And…the pictures were amazing.

Since it was just a year ago, I thought it might be fun to read a review of the show and see some of the pictures.  

Adam Cohen at Theater Pizzazz wrote the following review:

Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken were contestants on the second season “American Idol” – a television singing competition fifteen years ago.  Both are singular talents who have combined to bring  Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show to the Imperial Theater for a three week holiday run.

The Pageant is cute, playing to their respective strengths and personalities, while also illustrating their playful competition.  The opening number features them out vocalizing while also dueling with visual stunts – Ruben as Phantom, Clay being suspended mid-curtain.  Clay comes off more showy (lots of costume changes – loud sweaters and gold lame suit).  Ruben mildly embarrassed with toilet humor (literally) and just wanting to sing.

And sing they do. Gloriously.  The show features pretty much every Christmas tune you can think of rendered in an array of duets, solos and group numbers…

…Highlights include the show’s politically-correct take on the now-controversial #MeToo lyrics to “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is hilarious. Their harmonious closing duet on “O Holy Night,” affirms their popular status and winning vocal talents.  Aiken and Studdard have lovely voices.  The price of admission is worth it just for the singing.  The comedy is corny and goofy but it’s an amiable evening.

I have added a short video of an interview with Clay and Ruben.  They seemed to have a great time…and so did we.  Let’s hope that Clay and Ruben will present the show again next year!

How lucky that we have such wonderful memories of this show!