Ms. Claus Sings From the Heart in 'Hold On to Christmas'

Since its first run in 2008, the synth-centric performance troupe The Spaceship of the Imagination has been making spirits bright with its annual Christmas show. As the production value has ramped up with each new pageant they've created, ringleader Matt Rowland & Co. have maintained the charming do-it-together spirit that's been a hallmark of the event since the beginning. They've also consistently made subtle and probing (though never too self-serious) examinations of the different things the holiday means to the millions of people who celebrate it.

This year, they'll once again be taking over Trinity Community Commons in East Nashville, with performances on Dec. 19, 20 and 21. Click those links to buy advance tickets for individual days, which are $20 each.

In 2018's production Krampus Gone Wild, we were introduced to a ragtag band of Space Force officers traveling through time in an attempt to keep the goat-demon Krampus from destroying the holiday. One of the supporting characters (Jessica Claus, once married to Santa Claus, portrayed by outstanding singer Keshia Bailey) only appeared in filmed elements of that show. Over the weekend, updates were posted with some fantastic news: Ms. Claus will be at the center of this year's production, a continuation of Krampus Gone Wild called Ms. Claus Saves Christmas.

They've also released a music video for one of the original songs from the show (which you can also find on streaming platforms, like Spotify). Above, see Bailey (as Ms. Claus) and a group of puppets (felt versions of some of the Spaceship crew) performing "Hold on to Christmas," a heartfelt synth-enhanced ballad about how the holidays aren't always sweetness and light. The lyric looks at how sometimes, in order to move on, you've got to let some things go — as well as some people. Give it a spin above, and watch the Spaceship's website for updates.