A 'Wild Christmas Binge' TheatreWorks stages one wildly raucous Christmas adventure
2008-12-12
It may not have been snowing outside TheatreWorks New Milford last Friday night, but it was inside the theater, the flakes coating a small Charlie Brown-like Christmas tree. It put in motion the holiday spirit, as TheatreWorks made a hilarious return to its traditional raucous Christmas productions after a one-year hiatus. The wait was worth it, as TheatreWorks stages award-winning playwright Christopher Durang's holiday lampoon, "Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge," which continues through Dec. 31.
Under the direction of Beth Bonnabeau-Harding in her TheatreWorks directorial debut, Mr. Durang's play, with music by Michael Friedman, takes such Christmas classics as Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" and O'Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," wraps them up in a big, outrageous box of silliness, and tops it all off with a great big red bow of deep, ho-ho-ho belly laughs. With pure slapstick and outrageous physical comedy, this kamikaze sleigh ride is just what the doctor ordered to stave off the holiday blahs.
The story has its traditional beginning and the audience thinks it will see the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge experience his epiphany through the ghostly visits from Christmases Past, Present and Future. But what Mr. Durang has done is wrap the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future into one spirit (Regan Flynn)—a very sassy spirit with a penchant for Madonna—who takes Scrooge and the audience on an unforgettable ride.
Mr. Durang's tale splits the spotlight between the miserly Scrooge, portrayed hilariously by, John Taylor, and the most insignificant character in Dickens' parable, Mrs. Bob Cratchit, played by a brilliantly comedic Susan Abrams.
The story first focuses on Scrooge as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future introduces him to his younger self (Josie Harding) and the younger version of his business partner, Jacob Marley (Jack Harding). But it seems this unscripted meeting sets the story awry, and it veers from its normal path, setting up the madcap merriment that ensues. With the Ghost's inability to master time travel, the traditional story's chronology becomes muddled and it's time for the real story to begin.
Now we meet Mrs. Bob Cratchit, and let me tell you, Gladys isn't the kind, supportive gentlewoman of Dickens' Victorian story. All of the sickening sentimentality of the season and her merrily unpredictable bumbling husband, Bob Cratchit (Glenn R. Couture), has her on edge. A wife can only take so much, and when Bob brings the 21st foundling home and no money to accompany it, Mrs. Bob Cratchit flips. She cannot take it anymore—including the sidesplitting declarations of "God bless us, everyone!" from the hilariously bratty, attention-grabbing cripple Tiny Tim (Viv Berger). Mrs. Bob Cratchit goes on a drinking binge, deciding to end her misery and throw herself off London Bridge.
At the same time, however, the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future, with a turrets-afflicted Ebenezer, is trying to embark on that famous journey of redemption, but with her powers on permanent melt down, she is unable to navigate time periods properly, and the traditional story takes one uproarious twist after another, putting Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" on a collision course with "Oliver Twist," "The Old Curiosity Shop," "The Gift of the Magi" and "It's a Wonderful Life." A few healthy jabs are also taken at more contemporary targets along the way. A bowlful of belly laughs, over-the-top ballads, ridiculous situations and absolute madness ensue.
It's true that Mr. Durang's tale is a frenetic, chaotic- and witty mess. Viewers who revere the classic theatrical jewels of the holidays may not be amused by the playwright's vision, but no one can dispute his imaginative, whimsical, off-the-wall comedic ability.
The stars shine on the TheatreWorks stage, starting with the talented Regan Flynn as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Each twirl of her blonde hair and Miss-America sashay across the stage is right on, not to mention her beautiful singing voice and magnificent comic timing. No viewer will ever see the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present 'or Future the same way again.
The ying to the Ghost's yang is Ebenezer Scrooge, played ferociously by John Taylor. From the very first "Bah, humbug!" this Scrooge is a far cry from the character of the Dickens classic. There is no doubt he would happily indulge in the Enron-esque wheeling and dealing in Mr. Durang's creation. Once again, Mr. Taylor steps away from the dramatic roles for which he is known and shares with audiences, his wonderful comedic talents.
Perhaps the star of the show is the eponymous Mrs. Bob Cratchit, a Scrooge-like character in her own right. Susan Abrams effortlessly captures Mrs. Bob Cratchit's horrible, yet hysterical, home life, from the very first eye-roll to the very last grimace and scowl. She must deal with her simpering and oblivious husband, played to perfection by Glenn R. Couture, and the exaggerated caricatures of their children, played wonderfully by MJ: Hartell, Regina Sweeney, Lainey Ford and a side-splitting Viv Berger as Tiny Tim, who often steals the spotlight. The other children live in the root cellar due to space constraints. Ms. Abrams captures the desperation of this woman's predicament through brilliant physical comedy and just the right dose of slapstick.
It would be criminal not to mention Jim Lones in his multiple roles, the most memorable being Clarence—yes, Clarence; the angel working diligently to earn his wings in "It's a Wonderful Life,"—and Lori Larson, who plays opposite Mr. Lones in several roles, including Mrs. Fezziwig, Beadle's Wife and Tess. The pair have wonderful chemistry, and provide an ample dose of mirth in this rowdy production.
Further bringing the story to hilarious heights is the wonderful ensemble cast in multiple roles, including Ken Greiter, Tracy Kurd, Jack Harding and Josie Harding, who all add dimension and extra absurdity to this hoot-a-'minute tale that actually ends with a happily-ever-after for all involved.
Kudos goes to Beth Bonnabeau-Harding in her directorial debut at TheatreWorks. TheatreWorks patrons have appreciated her dramatic and comedic talents upon the stage, and this time around she shows she can hold her own quite well behind the scenes as well. Special mention must also be made of the incredibly inventive set and ample use of the theater's turntable, transforming the scenes effortlessly from the Cratchits' "Home Sour Home," to Scrooge's bed chamber, parties and even a future Charles Dickens never imagined. Costumes fashioned by Terry Hawley are imaginative and whimsical for this crazy Christmas carol.
TheatreWorks has created a wildly cynical yuletide comedy sure to cure the bah-humbugs • of the season and eradicate the sickeningly sweet treacle of many holiday productions. Who knows ... a night at TheatreWorks just may have you exclaiming, "God bless us, everyone!"