Sometimes it’s tough to get into the Christmas spirit. Many folks would gladly forego the decorations and gift exchange this year, and some admit they’d prefer to hole up alone than travel or deal with another extended family holiday party. If you find yourself having similar thoughts, I suggest you go see Another Night Before Christmas at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon.

This two-person musical production addresses the inner cynic we all feel rearing its ugly head. The lead character, Karol Elliott (Wendy Piper), heads home on Christmas Eve—exhausted from her job as a social worker—and donates her leftovers to a bearded vagrant who happens to know her name.

Things get even more interesting when the fellow shows up at Karol’s apartment claiming to be Santa Claus. Locked in by an infuriating security system gone mad, and written off as loony by the police, Karol has no choice but to make the best of the situation. Meanwhile, “Kris” tries to get to the bottom of Karol’s deep-seated adversity to Christmas.

Normally Stage II productions at the Barter are pretty sparse in the way of production, but Another Night features an impressive revolving set providing a realistic street scene, a handsomely furnished apartment, and an outdoor deck, as well utilizing off-stage space on both sides.

While some of the tunes in this musical are a bit sappy, the bulk of them are humorous and include some lovely harmonies. Diehard Bing Crosby fans beware, however; there’s also a playful ditty about offing the crooner who’s almost synonymous with Christmas.

Filled with allusions to Miracle on 34th Street (which just happens to be playing on Stage I), It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, and of course the Clement Moore poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” referenced in the title, Another Night succeeds in being nostalgic as well as fresh.

If you find yourself in the mood to sit down between shops and have some good chuckles and maybe even shed a holiday tear, I recommend you catch Another Night Before Christmas before it closes on December 21. Even if musicals don’t amuse you, I promise you’ll be entertained by counting the number of Christmas sweaters in the audience.

Taryn Chase would like to see Another Nightmare Before Christmas.