Arroyo Café cast reunites for holiday show at Rialto

Funnyman and Arizona Daily Star resident editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons is rounding up his Arroyo Café Players and a handful of local celebrity guests for the holiday edition of his popular live radio show.

They’re putting on their jingle bells, Santa hats and ugly sweaters for a variety show that Fitz promises will be “the most amazing Arroyo Café Holiday Radio Show ever done west of the San Pedro.”

Knowing Fitz as we know Fitz, we’re pretty sure that’s not hyperbole.

Here’s the 411 on the show Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.:

What: We’re all far too young to recall, but once upon a time in America there was no such thing as TV or YouTube or Snapchat. But there was radio and the old radio shows with singing and comedy and cornball that brought the whole family together. Fitz has the cornball covered:

• A troupe of vocalists from Reveille Men’s Chorus will sing with a twang as “Grandsons of the Pioneers.”
• “Donald Trump, the Musical” is a possibility.
• Baxter and Rosa might just find holiday romance.
• But will Phil and Lurlene call it quits?

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Ah, so many questions, so many possibilities and one underlying premise: Will they keep Christmas in their hearts? (Cue Hallmark Channel’s endless sappy Christmas movie-thon.)

• And we can’t even begin to tell you how fantastic and spectacular the finale will be.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday. Call it a precursor to the popular annual Downtown Parade of Lights later Saturday not far from the Rialto.

Who: Tucson’s preeminent blues/pop/gospel/soul/R&B vocalist Crystal Stark once again joins the cast of Arroyo Players, with Bobby Rich narrating, Reveille Men’s Choir’s “Grandsons of the Pioneers” serenading and some of Fitz’s dearest friends making guest appearances: ad-man-turned-comedian Jay Taylor, the lovable Wilbur the Wildcat and a handful of “mystery celebrity guests.”

Cost: $15 at ticketfly.com. Proceeds benefit Reveille, AZPM and Owl & Panther, which works with refugee families that have resettled in the Tucson area impacted by trauma, torture and traumatic dislocation.

Et cetera: This is a family-friendly show so bring the kiddos. Also, Fitz will be signing copies of his annual 2018 Fitz Calendar in the lobby.