Daddy D’s Christmas Show is rehearsed, ready, and set to “Haul Out the Holly” this December. Join a cast of musical “misfit toys” for a fun-loving romp through the holiday season that’s part festive, part reverent — and has been bringing music and friends together since 2006.
Performances take place at several venues across Northeast Wisconsin, including St. Mark Ministries in De Pere on December 5, The Riverside Ballroom on December 11–13 and December 17–19, plus matinees on December 18 and 20. The December 18 matinee is already sold out, and the season wraps up at The Automobile Gallery on December 23. All dinner shows begin with a hearty meal before the curtain rises on an evening of top-notch entertainment. “This show really has something for everyone,” says producer and performer Darren Johnson. “We mix the sacred with the silly, the classics with the contemporary, and it all comes together with heart and humor.”
A Holly Jolly Twist for 2025: New this year is “Haul Out the Holly” at the Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center on December 10 — a special concert-style version (no meal) that blends two fan favorites: the rockin’ sounds of Buddy Holly and the festive cheer of Daddy D’s Christmas Show.
Act I will transport audiences back to the golden age of rock ’n’ roll, with Buddy Holly and the biggest hits of the 1950s — jukebox jams, poodle skirts, and all. Act II decks the halls with beloved Christmas songs, comedy sketches, and heartfelt moments that celebrate the spirit of the season.
The Cast and the Music: The production features powerhouse performances by Angela Thielk Zuidmulder (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”), Shelly Johnson (“Messiah”), Michael Blair (“Christmas Shoes”), and Darren Johnson (“Mary Did You Know”) — a number he once removed from the lineup and, as he jokes, “still hasn’t heard the end of it.”
Backing them is the stellar Daddy D Band, led by Nate Kinzel (keyboards), with Ryan Sette (guitar), Tony Pesavento (bass & vocals on “That’s What Christmas Means to Me”), Kevin Van Ess (saxophone and clarinet featured on “Jingle Bell Rock”), Brian Beth (drums), and Alicia Michelle (violin, featured on “O Come O Come Emmanuel”).
Audiences can also expect favorites like “Joy to the World,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “O Holy Night,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Ave Maria,” “Silent Night” and the group’s traditional closer, “The Hallelujah Chorus.”
As always, Daddy D Productions includes a heartfelt salute to America’s veterans and active-duty military. For show times, ticket prices, and availability, visit
DaddyDs.com or call (920) 371-2250.
