One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Christmas Comes Early to the Steve Allen Theater
The Doorknockers: Randy Liedtke (Left) and Davey Johnson are ready for Christmas. Photo Credit: Heather Landis
This Thursday eve, comedians Davey Johnson and Randy Liedtke take to the Steve Allen Theater stage in Los Feliz to present their show, The Second Annual Best Doorknockers Christmas Pageant Ever! The pageant aspires to be a corny tribute to the TV Christmas special--a variety show in the style of Bob Hope or even Lawrence Welk. According to Liedtke, expect "comedy, magic, juggling, ballet, opera, cookies" as well as "The John 3 Reillys," which, as the name would suggest, are three musical John C. Reilly impersonators.
Johnson and Liedtke cut their chops as performers on the Tomorrow Show, a Saturday night tradition at the Steve Allen, where they would often interrupt sketches, earning them the title of Doorknockers.
Last year's inaugural pageant was such a success they have decided to reprise this year. And they have brought their friends along for the ride; these include comic Laura Kightlinger, singer Mela Lee, and Ron Lynch, co-host of the Tomorrow Show. While the season may be the reason, any excuse is a good one to throw a party for the Doorknockers; in the words of Johnson, "We're inspired by parties. Any excuse is the perfect excuse to have one."
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
