The City in question in
Christmas in the City is naturally New York City -- the setting of so many holiday scenes.
Lea Michele attempts to capture some of that spirit on her first Christmas album, going so far as to bring in Broadway stars Jonathan Goff and
Cynthia Erivo in for duets, but the guest who truly explains the sound and feel of the album is
Darren Criss, a fellow graduate of Glee. He's not the only alumni of Glee here. Producers
Adam Anders and
Peer Astrom steer
Christmas in the City, making sure that it feels retro yet fresh -- a trick they pulled off time and time again on the television show. Since
Christmas in the City is designed to be a throwback to mid-20th century holiday tropes, it tends to feel a bit fussier than what showed up on TV, but tradition is where
Michele thrives. She seizes the songs and the arrangements with gusto, singing like an actor who finally landed a cherished role, and her enthusiasm gives
Christmas in the City some life. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine