Directed by Robert Lieberman, Christmas in Tahoe, released in 2021, stars Laura Osnes, Kyle Selig, and Pat Monahan. The film is enjoyable. It’s a lighthearted and entertaining story with some excellent acting performances. It’s a little chaotic and often remarkable, just like life. The movie follows Claire, an aspiring talent booker, as feelings resurface between her and her boyfriend after she asks for his assistance in booking her big act at her family’s hotel and casino and realizes they may need each other more than they realized.
Christmas in Tahoe follows talent booker Claire Rhodes (Laura Osnes) as she approaches her dream job at a major Las Vegas music venue. When the annual Christmas show at her family’s Lake Tahoe hotel is threatened with cancellation, she is put to the ultimate test. As a result, Claire teams up with her ex-boyfriend, rocker Ryan (Kyle Selig), to save the day.
What’s the storyline?
Claire works for her father’s resort/casino, where she plans the SOLD OUT variety show and other holiday events. Claire is so good at carrying an iPad and appearing busy that hunk Andre offers her a job in Las Vegas, which is WAY better than Tahoe. Claire shares the good news with Jackson, the resort’s assistant manager, who isn’t overjoyed about her departure.
Claire runs into an ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who is now in a successful band, while out drinking hot chocolate. He’s fortunate because Claire’s sold-out show loses the headliner. Claire is apprehensive about working with Ryan again because he fired her as band manager years ago. He informs her that his band will not be available when she is, but he will assist her
Ryan and Claire pose as room service to persuade Ricki, a comedian, to attend the concert. Claire uses her sympathy to persuade Ryan to join, and Ryan uses his good looks to woo the comedian. There is a showboating kid who should be in the show. She cartwheels into the room and steals the show at a children’s recital. Claire has her sights set on another acapella group and approaches them backstage with a heartfelt pitch. The group is AWFUL. They’re not the Pentatonix. Ryan is a talented songwriter, and Claire notices him writing a new song. Ryan wishes to focus on songwriting and leave his band. Claire overhears Jackson singing and invites him to perform on the Christmas Eve show.
Ryan and Claire meet while looking for acts. They kiss in the moonlight but are interrupted by a text message. The acapella group cancels. Ryan quickly books his band to fill in for them. Claire owes the band money because she was fired before they became famous. Claire’s father discovers her Las Vegas offer and feels betrayed. Later, he forgives her and gives her permission to stay and put on more concerts.
On the night of the concert, Jackson, aka The Train Guy, performs an entire song. It’s not very Christmassy, but it’s VERY Train. The stand-up continues, and she must prepare her material. The acapella group comes next, and they are pitchy. Ryan and his band then performed for about two seconds before Ryan and Jackson finished the night with an original song.
(Wait a minute, NVM is a Train Song. “It’s Christmas Time.”) Claire simply bops backstage. Claire must choose between going to Vegas and staying with the family business AND Ryan. She chooses to remain because that is what happens in these movies. Everyone is pleased when Jackson is offered Ryan’s spot in the band!
Where was A Christmas In Tahoe shot?
The movie was shot around Vancouver, Whistler, and Abbotsford, BC Canada. Christmas In Tahoe is very magical. Filming for the film appears to have begun in late September 2021 and continued for one month until October of the same year. Because of its scenic beauty and readily available technology and production crew, British Columbia has become a very popular filming destination.
Although the story is set in Tahoe, the makers of ‘Christmas In Tahoe’ had to shoot the film in various locations throughout British Columbia. They had planned to film in the original location but were forced to change their plans due to wildfires in Tahoe. Whistler, a mountain town north of Vancouver in British Columbia, is a beautiful setting for filming. The filming crew for ‘Christmas In Tahoe’ most likely shot some scenes in this charming area.
