The Musical Reunions of Schitt's Creek: A Festive Surprise and Nostalgic Connections

The Festive Surprise: Schitt's Creek's Christmas Special

Schitt's Creek's Christmas special features a surprise cameo that also acts as a reunion for a landmark musical production.

Paul Shaffer as himself in Schitt's Creek episode _Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose_

Despite running for six seasons, Schitt's Creek only got one Christmas episode. This came in the form of season 4 special 'Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose,' where Johnny tries to arrange a Christmas Eve gathering for family and friends with predictably messy results. Still, it ends on a sweet note.

This outing is considered one of Schitt's Creek's best episodes, but there's a practical reason it was the first and only holiday episode.

Co-creators Eugene and Dan Levy once explained the series was shot during the summer in Canada since that's when it was easiest to film. 'Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose' also clarified the show's messy timeline, explaining the Roses didn't celebrate Christmas for their first two years in town since they were still adjusting to their new lives. The showrunners have stated the entire show takes place within roughly 3.5 years, which accounts for why the passage of time is tricky to follow.

The Musical Connection: Godspell Reunion in Schitt's Creek

Schitt's Creek's Christmas episode features a flashback to the Roses during a typical holiday celebration - which includes getting none other than Paul Shaffer to play piano for them. 'Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose' is notable for reuniting Shaffer and Eugene Levy, who both worked on an iconic production of Godspell in 1972 (via The Washington Post). This famous musical by Stephen Schwartz is based on the Gospel of Matthew, with the Toronto production featuring a wild line-up of future stars, including Levy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, and many more.

Future Lord of the Rings trilogy composer Howard Shore also performed saxophone for this run of Godspell. The 'Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose' connection runs another level deep, with co-star Catherine O'Hara having auditioned for Godspell too. She didn't land the role, but as her brother was dating Gilda Radner during this time, O'Hara would still hang around with the cast a lot.

Victor Garber (Titanic, Alias) played Jesus in the 1972 production of Godspell and went on to play the role in a 1973 film version too. Levy and O'Hara reunited with Garber for Schitt's Creek season 6 episode 'Sunrise, Sunset,' playing a drunken former co-star of Moira (O'Hara). He tries to convince Moira to sign on for a reboot of their old soap opera Sunrise Bay, despite the two having tensions in the past. Moira leaves town during Schitt's Creek's finale to star in the Sunrise Bay revival, though Garber's Clifton Sparks is ultimately kicked off the project.

victor garber as clifton sparks in schitt's creek season 6

Nostalgic Connections: Musical Reunions and Nostalgic Ties

The Christmas episode of Schitt's Creek brings to light the nostalgic ties and musical reunions that go beyond the small screen. The surprise cameo and reunions in the special not only add a festive touch to the show but also highlight the connections to a landmark musical production.

The reunion of cast members from the iconic production of Godspell in 1972, including Eugene Levy, Paul Shaffer, Catherine O'Hara, and Victor Garber, adds a layer of nostalgia and depth to the show's festive narrative. The ties to Godspell bring a sense of history and interconnectedness, enriching the storytelling and character dynamics in Schitt's Creek.

As fans continue to stream Schitt's Creek on platforms like Hulu and Freevee, the musical connections and reunions serve as delightful Easter eggs, inviting viewers to discover the intertwined legacies of the show's cast and their shared history in the world of performing arts.