Leading up to Monday night, Deanna had mentioned the set would be short, only about five songs including Christmas covers interspersed with holiday plays. Had I heeded on another chilly Chicago night, the EP Theater itself and an exceptional evening would've been lost as Deanna Devore and the Jackalope Theatre Company put on a memorable merry mixed-media performance. If you can, I urge people to attend for a unique, extraordinary experience for theater and concert-lovers alike running through December 21st. It is a perfect present for any aspiring actor and vinyl collecting couple or individual, or if you enjoy mulled cider and buttered rum to nip away the frostbite.
Deanna Devore came up as an unexpected surprise in a year musically dominated by folk, hip-hop and an abundance of internationally tinged indie. She falls into the latter, though partially as she hails from Toronto but also records and performs frequently in Chicago. The self-titled EP is spaciously beautiful thanks to warm vocals and a harmonious gem of pop, jazz and Brazilian facets. Monday night gave indication of what to expect in the New Year as she returns to the recording studio.
Backed with wrapping paper and topped with hanging presents, Dan Moulder and Shawn Rios assured that the unreleased "Start Again" would not stutter like winter does to car engines, but swiftly spring forward with a pounding, electrifying beat. It doesn't turn those flickering Christmas lights into the overwhelming, "turn your car to FM radio to hear my decorations!" literal house holiday party, yet leads her into a set of snow tracks heading towards . Her chill, pleasant pop is becoming more engaging, upbeat as evident by "In Stride" and "I'd Set On Fire"; the latter featuring bassist Jody Miller and Dan supporting Deanna's vocals.
Nestled amidst Deanna's unreleased, uptempo songs were short holiday acts by the Jackalope Theatre Company. The first act tugged between serious and hilarious, raising issues as to the origin of Christmas and delving into theological debates. The second and third took the audience into the not-so-merry Arthur Miller realism and redemption territory before a hilarious examination of celebrating holidays. The only elements more invigorating were Deanna's covers of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)". She phenomenally adjusted the classics in her own way, letting her jazzy voice carry those classic verses through the modern reinterpretations.
While Monday night's songs may have been entirely new, the covers emitted the kind of familiar comfort received by flickering fireplaces (excluding the TV variety) and smoked ham. Welcome Deanna Devore at the Double Door on January 30th when she continues to warm up these frigid Midwest temperatures.
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