Gulf Coast News Reviews Ho! Ho! Ho! The Christmas Show

Dave Elias | Reporter, Gulf Coast News Fort Myers

Published December 8, 2025

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A Christmas original filled with local heart and holiday cheer has arrived at Players Circle Theater on McGregor Boulevard, and it takes audiences on a magical ride straight into the spirit of the season.

Written by Fort Myers’ own Ted Wioneck III and conceived and directed by Robert Cacioppo, this festive musical revue brings together 36 beloved Christmas favorites with a warm and witty cast of five, and the impeccable musical direction of Ricky Pope, who anchors the evening from behind a gleaming baby grand piano.

The show begins strikingly as the stage sits draped in black, its centerpiece a lone piano waiting in the quiet. Then, almost like a curtain rising on Christmas morning, the space transforms before the audience’s eyes into a glowing holiday wonderland complete with wrapped packages, sparkling trees, and a cascade of lights that instantly evokes childlike awe.

The performers, including real-life couple Ted Wioncek III and Kimberly Suskin, joined by AJ Mendini and Rachel Querreveld, play heightened versions of themselves as they guide the audience through songs, stories, and smiles.

Querreveld, whose operatic voice is one of the production’s great assets, charms the crowd with a witty and vocally rich rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The vocal blend among all five performers is consistently strong, whether accompanied by Pope’s masterful piano work or when the ensemble breaks out guitars and even ukuleles for added musical color.

Each cast member enjoys standout solo moments:

• Suskind dazzles with a stunning take on Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
• Mendini infuses “Run Run Rudolph” with irresistible energy.
• Wioneck channels Elvis with playful charm in a holiday favorite.

The musical selections are delightfully varied, spanning centuries and styles, from the serene beauty of the 200-year-old “Silent Night,” to the swing of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and even a crowd-pleasing Christmas rap performed by the full company. The show sprinkles in engaging background stories explaining the origins of several songs, adding a layer of warmth and curiosity to the evening. I especially loved the numerous costume changes, each one thoughtfully matched to the mood and style of the next number. Even Santa himself takes the stage on several occasions throughout the performance.

Cacioppo’s direction keeps the pace brisk and the mood joyful, balancing humor with heartfelt moments that never feel forced. This is a classy, spirited Christmas jukebox musical that’s as entertaining as it is sincere. It’s a show designed to send audiences out dancing, humming, and smiling their way into the holiday season.

With clear care put into song selection, arrangement, and presentation, this holiday offering feels both lovingly constructed and effortlessly enjoyable. It’s a festive treat for all ages, and I highly recommend getting it on your calendar, as it’s starting to sell out for obvious reasons.

Note: There is no intermission, and the show runs for about 90 minutes.

The production runs through Dec. 21 at Players Circle Theater.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 239-800-3292 or visiting here.

Players Circle Theater is located at 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-800-3292.