Falderal opens ‘Portrait of Christmas’ tonight by Wendy Butler The Eureka Reporter Santa Claus goes out on the town every Christmas Eve and Mrs. Claus is fed up. This sentiment is expressed, humorously, in “Surabaya Santa,” a song included in Falderal Musical Theater Co.’s “Portrait of Christmas.” The theatrical revue of holiday music will open tonight, 7:30 p.m., in Redwood Curtain Theater, on the north side of the Eureka Mall. It will be a benefit for Southwest Eureka Rotary. Falderal founder Shirley Groom, also the producing director, and Nanette Voss, assistant director, will sing “Surabaya Santa” together, both playing versions of Mrs. Claus Groom is Mrs. Claus from 150 years ago and Voss is modern. “Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer,” as sung by Dillon Savage, left, Gabriel Groom and Nanette Voss, is part of Falderal Musical Theater’s “Portrait of Christmas.” “Santa is immortal, but Mrs. Claus isn’t,” Groom said. If that isn’t enough, “we’re both tired of being … alone on Christmas.” “Portrait of Christmas” will feature holiday standards, such as “O, Holy Night” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” It will also have less usual melodies, such as “Surabaya Santa” and “Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer.” Storytelling is part of the show. Cast members have penned holiday memories and the stories will be told before the songs are performed. “I find lots and lots of songs that I like and people that I like and put them together, with the concept of songs and stories,” Groom said. “We have long-hair hippie types (or) the crew-neck plumber, but … there are all kinds of people who love to sing, from all walks of life.” Groom has performed many times with the Humboldt Light Opera Co. She and her husband founded Falderal in 1998. Community residents aren’t the only ones highlighted in Falderal productions. Grooms’ son, Gabriel, has been in many of them, as has her daughter, Tiffany. Gabriel also does sound design for local community theaters, such as North Coast and Ferndale repertory theaters. He said he prefers being behind the scenes, but does enjoy performing. “I’ve been performing with both my kids for a long time,” Groom said. “It’s wonderful for me. … I think it’s trying for them sometimes. … It’s very intensive to do these shows.” But, she added, the shows create a wealth of memories for all. “It’s a change from my everyday life,” said cast member Dillon Savage. “I sit in an office and work on computers all day.” “It’s my soul,” said Voss. “It’s (also) a way for kids to build self-esteem. It gives you a confidence that regular theater doesn’t. … It’s (about) over-exaggerations. … You get to see what that cartoon-like world is like. .. It is really an element of life that we all crave.” Valorie Bonnet will perform a song written by her father, which she discovered in a book in her parents’ attic years ago. It was written the day she was born. She said the song also articulates her own connection with the holidays. “ … There is a feeling surrounding the season. … Perched up on your daddy’s knee you’re as happy as you can be. Christmas night, what a merry sight, as we sit around our tree. …”