By Mary Ann Bourbeau
MIDDLETOWN – No two concerts by The Wag are ever alike. Some have themes, like Halloween or a tribute to the Beatles. Some have guest performers. But one thing you’ll always find at a Wag concert, especially if it’s their annual Christmas Spectacular, is fun!
“Our Christmas shows are filled with nonstop holiday music with fun skits in between,” said Brian Ostering, one of the four members of the Bayshore-area rock band. “We do a little musical intro. It’s nostalgic, and like the good old-fashioned Andy Williams and Dean Martin variety shows, we incorporate a lot of humor.”
While the Christmas Spectacular is steeped in the traditions of classic holiday TV shows, the band puts its own unique stamp on it, incorporating props, dance numbers, costume changes, videos and some fun surprises.
The Wag is hosting two Christmas Spectacular events this season – Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Strand Theater in Lakewood and Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Middletown Arts Center. Proceeds from the Middletown show will benefit the Monmouth County SPCA, which coincidentally ties in with the band’s name.
“When we formed the band in 1998, a friend saw us play and said, ‘You look so happy! Your music is bubbly, like a dog wagging its tail.’ That’s where we came up with the name,” said Ostering.
The band features Ostering (Middletown) on bass, Alicia Van Sant (Middletown) on keyboards, percussion and flute, Don Lee (Freehold) on guitar and Joshua Van Ness (East Brunswick) on percussion and guitar. The Wag has opened for many national acts, including Jason Mraz, Rick Springfield, Gavin DeGraw, Phillip Phillips, John Cafferty, Peter Tork and Jefferson Starship.
“Opening for Rick Springfield at the Basie was really exciting for me,” said Ostering. “It was my birthday, and he and his band signed a big birthday card for me. I’ve been so fortunate that all of my musical heroes that I’ve met have been so kind.”
What sets The Wag apart from other bands is that the members alternate as lead vocalists.
“We’re all songwriters with four different styles, and all four of us sing, so we’re chock full of harmonies,” said Ostering.
The Christmas Spectacular includes familiar holiday songs, along with a few originals. It also features a “Christmas Around the World” theme with holiday songs and sketches from Ireland, Germany, Spain and more. Audiences will hear songs like “Feliz Navidad” (Mexico), “Christmas in Killarney” (Ireland), “Mele Kalikimaka” (Hawaii) and “Riu Riu Chiu” (Spain).
The Wag’s sense of humor, homemade props, costumes and fun surprises make it worth the price of admission.
“We’ll do a few slightly obscure songs just to make it interesting,” said Ostering. “And if we do the Grinch song, you just might see the Grinch!”
Ostering compares the feeling of a Wag Christmas Spectacular to the Bing Crosby movie “White Christmas,” in which Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Lynn go all out to put on a Christmas show in a cozy Vermont inn. It’s a family-friendly event, so feel free to bring the kids.
“We want to bring joy and cheer to everyone,” said Ostering. “I’m not sure there’s anything better than seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they’re dancing or watching an elderly person in a wheelchair clapping along. It really warms your heart.”
The Wag’s 5th Annual Christmas Spectacular runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood. Tickets are $28 for adults and $23 for ages 18 and under and 65 and over. In Middletown, The Wag’s Christmas Spectacular runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit thewagband.com.
The article originally appeared in the December 11 – 17, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
