5 things to know about Manny Cafeo’s final Conroe show ‘Holiday Inn’

As he plans to retire from directing Conroe shows, Manny Cafeo has selected a classic holiday musical full of song and dance for his curtain call. 

Cafeo, who has directed numerous shows at the Crighton Theatre and Owen Theatre, will close his directing career with “Holiday Inn” showing Dec. 1-17 at the Owen Theatre. 

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Here are five things to know about the show: 

What is it about? 

In the show, Jim leaves the bright lights of show business behind to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut but life just isn’t the same without a bit of song and dance. Jim’s luck takes a spectacular turn when he meets Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare. Together they turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn with dazzling performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July.

The 1942 film featured Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Original music is by Irving Berlin. The film received a 1943 Academy Award for Best Original Song for Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

About Cafeo

Cafeo has directed many Conroe shows including “Nunsense,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Elf The Musical,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” and many others. 

In 2018, he was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Monties Awards for local theater. 

He believes this is the first time for “Holiday Inn” to be performed in Conroe. While the film dates back to 1942, the Broadway show is only roughly a decade old. 

While Cafeo intended to retire last season, Joe Viser, artistic director for The Players Theatre Company, coaxed one more directing role from the veteran. 

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Cafe has worked with The Players since 1993. 

“This show is such an audience pleaser and it’s so wonderful for the holidays because this particular show celebrates all the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day,” he said. “It’s also an uplifting show and I love to do the uplifting shows and this one is so much fun.” 

The crew 

In addition to Cafeo as director, Assistant Director is Tom Hoofnagle; Choreographer is Dinah Mahlman; Musical Director is Ryan Dineen; Stage Manager is Jill Villalobos; Technical Director is Ashley Anthony; Set Designer is Roger Ormiston; Costume Designer is Amy Bogan; Sound Designer is Philip Harris; Props Mistress is Jill Villalobos and Lighting Designers are Adriana Cardenas and Simeon Love.

The cast 

Colton Land plays the lead male role of Jim Hardy. 

“When he came to the audition, he came knowing he had that role. He was so prepared. He really investigated and studied the role,” Cafeo said. 

Other roles include Ted Hanover played by Mark Doreza; Lila Dixon played by Madison Cabello; Danny played by Roger Ramirez; Charlie Winslow played by Leo Vuong; Linda Mason played by Grace Schexnayder; Louise played by Kimberly Lambright and the announcer is David Vuong.

The radio quartet includes Elijah Breese, Pio Vuong, Alicia Allen and Kylee Haueter.

Ensemble members are Alicia Allen, Joshua Darner, Elijah Breese, Ivy Brown, Sunnie Curd, Kylee Haueter, Diane Harrison, Anastasia Hveem, Dinah Mahlman, Hilda Micklethwaite, Steve Murphree, Sean Sears, Evann Sommers, Connie Vuong, David Vuong, Michael Vuong and Philomena Vuong.

How to go 

The show is at the Owen Theatre, 225 Metcalf Street in downtown Conroe. Shows are Dec. 1-17 with 2 p.m. matinees Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. 

Evening shows are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Of note, The Players Theatre Company will have food bins in the theater lobby for the Share Your Holidays Food Drive during the performance run. Canned and nonperishable foods are sought. 

For tickets call 936-539-4090 or visit the Owen Theatre website.