Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze Ginning Up Holiday Joy with MIAC

Shervin Lainez

Tuesday, Nov. 30

If you're of a certain age, the name Ana Gasteyer evokes memories of SNL (warbling with Will Ferrell or imitating Celine Dion, the best singer in the world) and Mean Girls ("But you love Ladysmith Black Mambazo!")

What you might not know, then, is that this triple-threat (acting, singing, and comedy) is in fact a trained singer, with Broadway credits to her name.

So when she released her 2019 album Sugar & Booze, a jazzy, swingy, modern-album-with-a-throwback-feel, it was to delighted reviews, which singled out her "high-octane vocals" (naturally) and marveled over her exuberant approach to holiday music.

Ms. Gasteyer is bringing her act to the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center in late November, all the better to kick off the most festive season of the year courtesy of the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture.

With the same band that's accompanied her since 2016, the evening, entitled "Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze," will feature holiday standards alongside original compositions — by none other than the songstress herself.

It's difficult to imagine Gasteyer could keep comedy out of the act entirely, so audiences can expect clever, rollicking lyrics, as well as big, brassy sound and toe-tapping percussion that keeps in theme with the '50s and '60s vibes of the album.

"So pour a nip into that 'nog, and let it light your fuse," she sings, "because the best part of the holidays is sugar and booze." Find the lie!

If you typically find yourself Grinching out once December starts, consider Sugar & Booze the tonic. If you happen to need gin with that, well, you'd surely have Gasteyer's vote of approval.

7:30 p.m. // Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 E. 38th St.// Adults: $30 - 45 // For more info and to purchase tickets, visit: miac.mercyhurst.edu/events/ana-gasteyer-sugar-booze