Sunday, 4 December 2022

Songs from The Bestest Office Christmas Party Ever (by Drew Larimore/Billy Recce)


3 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Stream four songs from The Bestest Office Christmas Party Ever here (external link)

It is no secret that I love a festive musical. Heck, I have been writing a blog for ten years now which counts down new Christmas songs, albums and show reviews for 60 days of the year. With my love of theatre, it is a given that when it is seasonal I'm going to be smitten. Elf the Musical, White Christmas, Nativity the Musical, Santa Claus the Musical, A Christmas Carol The Musical (the Alan Menken classic but do also see Muppet Christmas Carol, Spirited and Scrooge: A Christmas Carol for musical mayhem), the list could go on... it is why I was so delighted to come across an alternative take on a holiday tradition. The Bestest Office Christmas Party Ever - a musical in the making from creative geniuses Drew Larimore and Billy Recce.

The show's melodic and lyrical inventors were clearly looking for something that went beyond the timeless charm of Snow and I Love A Piano; something more biting than the giddy gallop of Sparklejollytwinklejingly. That isn't to say the songs don't feel brilliantly festive - they absolutely do; looking at Yuletide from the perspective of the workers at an adult diaper factory (where Santa ain't delivering any cash bonues in their pay checks this year) allows a bawdy examination of what happens when the season isn't all tinsel and egg nog. The four songs presented on this gloriously hilarious EP unveil sassy lyrics, wit that is sometimes nuanced, sometimes camp and a little more edge than your average Hallmark movie would offer...
  • The Bestest Office Christmas Party Ever (ft DeAnne Stewart, Deb Radloff, Jamen Nanthakumar and Bryan Munar) ~ throwing shade at Mariah Carey for her (lack of) vocal prowess and not understanding how brutal the season can be for those not reaping Spotify royalties from one song year after year after year (seriously folks, other Christmas songs exist). You instantly get the sense of ennui, like a musical episode of The Office with vocals brimming with personality and a score as peppy and perky as any sleigh ride you've been on (and as bitingly cold in places). It is all insanely addictive, just like exploiting low paid workers at Christmas time apparently. Bah, humbug to all evil corporate overlords out there.
  • The Santa For Me (ft Paige Turner, DeAnne Stewart and Deb Radloff) ~ Paige Turner really shines here with DeAnne and Deb giving a girl group style backing vocal to her Motown-esque thirst wish list in verse one (if she goes ahead and finds this buff Kris Kringle adonis, I'm all in on him sliding down my chimney. And that still isn't quite as filthy as Paige makes him sound). DeAnne and Deb both get to outline their Papa Noel dream boat requirements too and it is all very Little Shop of Horrors Xmas Special in its deliciously dirty execution. It will have you jingling your bells - a musical swipe right on this Christmas Mingle of a vaudeville number...
  • That Bitch Face David (ft Ryan McCurdy) ~ well, just the title alone grabs your attention but it is Ryan's expressive performance that has you mesmerised from start to finish. The piano-vocal torch song belies the provocative title by leaning into melancholy, heartfelt examination of a love affair where happily ever after is the reality of flaws and neurosis that you don't always see in the fairy tales. The nostalgia and sorrowful reminiscing is beautifully portrayed by Ryan, a genuinely enchanting vocal that explores a gamut of emotions. If you've ever found yourself lost in a reverie of memories into the ghosts of romantic Christmas past then this is the song for you (at any time of year).
  • Sex Machine Robot (ft Mary Testa) ~ one of my most horrific childhood memories is looking for some cream in my mum's bedside cabinet and finding what I later found out was what in polite society is called a personal massager. Mary Testa brings to life the seedy sex life of suburbia in devilishly dark cabaret that leans into the drama via bold horn drenched flourishes and opulent piano chords. My mum would (mortifyingly) approve of such sordid explorations - and that is part of the songs appeal. It seems sordid because we make it so naughty and forbidden. Isn't that all the more thrilling (just like this song and Mary's terrific vocal). I'm going to need much more of this story please and a UK stage debut in 2023. Thanks!
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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