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The Whistleaires' Big Christmas Show
article in the Oakland Tribune by Chad Jones

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"Caper" delights audiences

by Chad Jones

If your Christmas tastes run to the more unusual, look no further than the Whistleaires' annual "Big Christmas Special" at the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco.

Born our of the Fringe Festival, the whistling duo known as The Whistleaires, Mark Romyn and Phil Worman, turned their act into a kitschy, sweet Christmas show last year.

Now they're back with a new show and fresh special guests.

In true variety show fashion, The Whistleaires offer a shaky plot that has something to do with Mrs. Claus accidently dry cleaning her husbands's suit and voiding all of its magical powers.

"There's definitely some domestic discord at the North Pole," says Whistleaire Mark "Toots" Romyn. Then, with tongue firmly in cheek he adds, "This show is definitely than last year's"

In all seriousness, with its mix of musical guests, magic tricks and fairly spectacular whistling, "Big Christmas Special" is, as Romyn describes it, "a quick bit of fluff with some laughs."

Suitable for the entire family -- last year found 13-year-old girls celebrating their birthdays at the show -- "Big Christmas" takes its inspiration from old TV variety shows.

"Our biggest influences are the Perry Como Christmas specials, " Romyn says. "But there are a lot of other inspirations from the '60s and '70s. Even Don Knotts had a variety show for a while."

The Whistleaires' "Big Christmas Special" was scheduled to open Thursday and runds through Dec. 15 at the EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy Str., San Francisco. Tickets are $12 to $20 on a sliding scale. Call (415) 673-3847.

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