For the Real Critics Blog
Seen "The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)"? Like it? Love it? Well, fugeddaboutit! That show's got nothin' on it's frenetic holiday doppelganger, "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)" now playing at Inland Stage in San Jacinto. Imagine Robin Williams was cloned twice, all three went off their Ritalin, then their legion of personalities went on a crack-fueled mimic-a-thon of beloved holiday characters (B.H.C.'s), and you're half way there.
Frosty, Rudolph, Macy's, Dickens, Tchaikovsky, the Grinch, Charlie Brown, random audience members whisked on stage -- no one's safe in this hilariously irreverent torrent-of-haphazard-consciousness. A sugar plum rave, if you will. Nimbly directed by Marcy Wright, actors John Wesley Leon, Kristofer James and Gabriel Diaz are your madcap guides through this winter whirl-land. With on point impressions, impeccable timing, and absurdly stoic dance routines the trio are sure to leave your voice hoarse, smiling cheeks numb, and mascara running from irrepressible laughter.
Still hankerin' for your annual doses of "Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life"? No, worries. Act Two fuses their best moments into a whole that's greater than it's individual parts: "It's a Wonderful Carol," complete with George and Scrooge, Clarence and the Ghosts, Zuzu and Tiny Tim. And at a brisk 20 minutes it's certainly the funniest, and most bearable version of the traditional tedium that you'll ever see.
Whether you're suffering from the sniffles, theatrical deprivation or general holiday Scrooginess, laughter of course is the best medicine. So ask your doctor about a weekend prescription for "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)," the cure for the common Christmas play. (Not recommended for very pregnant women or people with severe heart conditions.)
ISC's "Every Christmas Story Ever Told" runs through Dec. 19 at the Esplanade Art Center in San Jacinto.
Imagine if you will, a refreshing change from the usual fare of Christmas entertainment you get each year. That is exactly what you get with Inland Stage Company's production of:"Every Christmas Story Ever Told(And Then Some!). You get an absolute departure from Christmas shows done to death with this show.
ReplyDeleteIn this show, 2 actors persuade a 3rd not to perform the old Dickens chestnut, "A Christmas Carol." Instead ,they are to perform every Christmas story ever told. Included in their coverage:Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture and every carol ever sung. The 3rd actor agrees to put Scrooge on hold and what follows is a total riot.
Kristofer James,John Leon and Gabriel Diaz play the trio with the wild abandonment of playing it safe--successful risk taking was the rule of the night. I was in stitches,my sides ached from how hard I laughed. Kristofer was the wild little boy and John the straight man,while Gabriel seemed the foil of John at times and played narrator to the audience. Uncontrollable laughter came from me and many others from the mad antics of these 3 actors in this very funny play.
This madcap spoof does irreparable damage to the memory of: "The Gift of the Magi","The Grinch that stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, "It's a Wonderful Life," and "A Christmas Carol," just to name a few. The bit on the Macy's Christmas Parade practically knocked me out of my chair. Too many great things to describe and I might ruin it for someone who needs to experience laughter on a cathartic level.
Marcy Wright as director should be proud of herself and all people involved with this production. This wonderful escape from the usual fare of holiday entertainment will not be forgotten by the lucky ones who see it. It should be mentioned that a poignant homage is paid to the original Christmas story as a tribute to the notion that the love of said story isn't left behind amid the wonderful laughter that audiences will experience.
- Mark Branyon