Pat Launer on San Diego Theater
By Pat Launer, SDNN
Thursday, December
24, 2009
http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-12-23/things-to-do/theater-things-to-do/festival-of-christmas-a-christmas-story-theater-reviews-and-news
READ REVIEWS OF: “Festival of
Christmas,” “A Christmas Story”
Decking
the Halls
THE SHOW:
“Christmas Stars,” the newest installment of Lamb’s
Players Theatre’s ‘Festival of Christmas’
You’d definitely have to call it a tradition. For 31 years, Lamb’s
Players Theatre has presented a Festival of Christmas. Just about all the
scripts have been written by associate artistic director Kerry Meads. This
year, she’s premiering her 14th Christmas play (she writes a new one
every other year or so). They’re all set in the holiday season, in one place or
another – frequently, cold climes, since the protagonists are, more often than
not, trapped by a snowstorm. Every time, she has to come up with a way a bunch
of disparate people will find themselves together on Christmas eve, so they can sing carols old and new. One of the
greatest joys of these productions is the singing; the arrangements and
harmonies are always imaginative, and excellently executed.
This year, the time is modern (“Two Thousand and Now”) and the place is
the
As a reflection of today’s tough times, everyone is in some distress: one
got laid off, another’s mate is deployed overseas; one’s a struggling single
mom; and there’s a lonely widow and widower. As in past productions, there’s a
precocious young person (outstanding, self-possessed Lucia Vecchio)
and a mysterious character who spouts words of wisdom. He wafts through the
proceedings, sitting in for the playing and singing, somehow seeming to be
involved with just about everyone getting just about everything they want at
the end. This time, the magical catalyst is a homeless guy (warmly and
effectively played by Nathan Peirson). Other
characters have names like Faith and Grace.
The talent level is high in the 11-member ensemble, many of whom are
Lamb’s regulars/associate artists, and almost all of whom are accomplished
musicians (guitar, piano, drums). The performances are credible (Meads directs
as well), though there is a bit of over-acting at times. The singing is sublime
throughout, even if the carols selected are more religious than
generic/seasonal.
The problem is, it’s all rather downbeat (including many of the songs);
there isn’t much joy here, even at the supposedly satisfying conclusion. With
so many stories and problems, it’s hard to connect with, or care for, anyone.
The play may be timely and topical, but it runs too long, the characters feel
less than fully developed, and the mood is generally gloomy throughout.
Mike Buckley’s attractive, wood-paneled, multi-level set has snow piled
convincingly outdoors and a comfortable feel inside. The costumes (Jeanne
Reith) and lighting (Rachael Campbell) serve the production well. The sound
design (Patrick Duffy) features an ear-splitting commuter train that barrels
through fairly frequently (very realistic, and the lighting is great for this
part, but the train conceit wears out its welcome over the course of the
evening). This play may not be the most
upbeat, heartening or touching of the lot, but it deftly and valiantly carries
on a long-held holiday tradition.
THE LOCATION: Lamb’s Players Theatre,
THE DETAILS: Tickets:
$22-58. Tuesday-Thursday
at 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m, Saturday at 4
p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. through December 27.
NOTE: Lamb’s Players Theatre also continues its beautiful,
festive, 15-year “American Christmas” tradition at the Hotel Del Coronado,
always setting the piece a century ago; so this year’s production brings you
back to 1909 (through 12/27).
You’ll
Put Your Eye Out!
THE SHOW: “A
Christmas Story,” based on the 1983 movie classic, presented by San Diego
Junior Theatre
Jean Shepherd was really something. Besides
being a beloved radio and TV personality, he was a terrific writer and
raconteur. His books gave us clever lines like the novel title, "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash." His first feature film
(written at age 62) was “A Christmas Story,” a timeless favorite. But Shepherd
left an even greater legacy than all that. He was the inspiration for the DJ character
in Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road.” His lifestyle inspired the iconoclast (played
by Jason Robards) in “A Thousand Clowns.” His on air
diatribes were the inspiration for Peter Finch’s famous rants in “Network.” And
of course, his childhood adventures gave rise to the semi-autobiographical ‘Ralphie’ character that coursed through his writings and
formed the basis of “A Christmas Story,” for which Shepherd wrote the
screenplay (with Leigh Brown and Bob Clark).
It’s a sweetly nostalgic tale of a kid in 1940
So now, along comes San Diego Junior Theatre, to give their own spin to
the story, presenting a play based on the movie, adapted in 2000 by Philip
Grecian, who’s also written stage adaptations of “Dracula,” “Frankenstein” and
“The Velveteen Rabbit.”
All the elements of the story were there, and the kids did a wonderful
job. The events were narrated by a staid, pipe-smoking older Ralph (17 year-old
Kiefer Shackelford, very good), who looks out for young Ralphie
(excellent, 13 year-old Mark Steitz, whose bio boasts
eight prior shows with Junior Theatre, and 15 shows altogether so far). As The
Old Man, Jordan Bunshaft, 17, showed a good sense of comedy, if he’d only tone
down the yelling. Marianne Zumberge was solid as
Mother. Eight year-old Paul Steitz was hilarious as
bundled-up kid brother Randy, and as the comical Flick and Schwartz, Scott
Roberts and Darian Spencer were
great. Madeline Ottilie was delightful as Esther Jane, Ralphie’s little ‘love
interest.’ The direction (Desha Crownover) was imaginative and though the
skills, like the ages, varied widely, the sum total was warm, satisfying
holiday fun. Production closed.
NEWS AND VIEWS
… Steering the Compass in another
direction: New name, new managers, new direction. Compass Theatre (formerly 6th
@ Penn) is changing hands again. After nine years of producing plays and
festivals, acting, directing and renting the space to a wide range of fledgling
and established (but homeless) companies, Dale Morris is moving on, to focus
his attention on acting, writing and other pursuits (including his upcoming
marriage); he’s not ruling out “a new, bigger theater space.” Come February,
the risk-taking, five-year-old, perennially peripatetic ion theatre, co-founded by Claudio Raygoza and Glenn Paris, will be taking over
– and renaming – the 49-seat space. Morris reflected on “nine wonderful,
grueling, exciting, frustrating, creative, disappointing, thrilling,
disastrous, mountain-top, pit-dwelling, educational, brain-numbing,
friend-making, friend-losing, back-breaking, tux-wearing, toilet-cleaning,
award-winning, money-losing years.” “Been a blast,” he concludes. As for ion,
…The Singing Sheik: Tony and Grammy
Award-winner Duncan Sheik will
perform at the Old Globe in an
exclusive, one-night concert, with members of his touring band. The composer of
the knockout musical, “Spring Awakening,” will be in town for the world
premiere of his latest musical, “Whisper House.” He’ll perform songs from the
new show, as well as his acclaimed albums. Sheik won two Tonys,
as composer and arranger of “Spring Awakening,” which was named Best Musical in
2007. Proceeds from the local performance will benefit the Globe’s education
activities. Tickets for “Duncan Sheik in
Concert” can by purchased at (619) 23-GLOBE or www.TheOldGlobe.org.
… Singing Lambs: Lamb’s Players Theatre, in its 31st
year of holiday plays with songs, has just released a new seasonal CD, “Sounds of Festival of Christmas: 2007-2009.”
Produced by Jon Lorenz and Leonard Patton, it’s an outstanding compilation of
the best musical offerings of the past three years, featuring a mix of new
songs and imaginative arrangements of old standards. Every track has exciting
elements, both vocal and instrumental. Some of my faves
are “The Best Part of Christmas (is Lovin’ You),”
with music and lyrics by Lorenz; “Christmas on My Mind,” music and lyrics by
Patton; and “Christmas, This Time,” with music and lyrics by Nick Spear; and
for fun, Spear’s “Cowboy Christmas” and “God Rest Ye Reggae Gentlemen,”
arranged by Patton and Rik Ogden. A great late gift –
for yourself or someone else – it’s available for $17 at the LPT box office, (619) 437-0600, or online at lambsplayers.org, where you can get a
preview/listen to every cut.
…
… Where there’s smoke…: It wafted all the way
to the top. After a three-year battle, the Colorado Supreme
Court recently ruled
(in a 6-1 decision) that the state’s indoor smoking ban applies to theaters. Therefore,
no more actor lightups onstage (“public health trumps
actors’ freedom of expression”). And that includes alternatives to
tobacco, such as cloves, tea leaves or anything else. This is the first state
court ruling of its kind; 24 states have indoor smoking bans, and 12 of those
have exemptions for theatrical performances. The court claimed there were acceptable
“alternatives to smoking onstage.” In a 20-page dissent, Justice Gregory Hobbs
said that “characters and plots would lack depth and expressive force without
the hovering smoke on stage, the poignant exhale of a puff of smoke, and even
the ability or inability to smoke.” He mentioned Mrs. Robinson’s strategic,
sexy exhale in the stage version of “The Graduate” (not such a great example;
it made a lousy play). But, still… try doing noir without smoke. Wait! What
about smoke machine effects? Is that still okay? No word on that in any of the
newspaper reports. Theaters in
… Patté Tix:
Tickets are going fast for The 13th
Annual Patté Awards for Theater Excellence, a gala community celebration
that honors the Best of the Best of local theatermakers. Monday, January 18,
2010. Get in on the action at www.thepattefoundation.org.
PAT’S PICKS: BEST
BETS
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”
– heart-rending, heartbreaking and full of heart (and music!)
Cygnet
Theatre, extended through 12/31
Read
Review at:
http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-12-16/things-to-do/theater-things-to-do/i-do-i-do-santaland-diaries-christmas-carol-its-a-wonderful-life-theater-reviews-news
“A Christmas Carol” – brisk but bracing
North Coast Repertory Theatre, through 12/27
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
– great fun for the whole family
Old Globe Theatre, through 12/27
Read
Review here: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-12-09/things-to-do/theater-things-to-do/the-king-and-i-the-new-century-black-nativity-theater-reviews-news
Pat Launer is the
SDNN theater critic.
To read any of
her prior reviews, type ‘Pat Launer’ into the SDNN Search box.