North Coast Rep spoofs Christmas season

Humbug

By Eva Trieger

Eva Trieger
Eva Trieger

SOLANA BEACH, California -It is rumored that even Tchaikovsky disliked “The Nutcracker Suite” but was commissioned to write it back in 1892.  If you’ve seen it every year since its inception, North Coast Rep has a suggestion for a way to shake things up this holiday season.  “The Humbug Holiday Spectacular” has arrived and it will enchant and delight you in a way that leaves the Sugar Plum Fairy looking dowdy.

This world premier was conceived by Omri Schein and Phil Johnson.  These two actors are well known to San Diego and well loved by the world, for their performances here and abroad.  The last time these two shared our stage was in “The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee.”  Schein and musical partner, James Olmstead, wrote the spoofy songs for this silly romp which borrows themes from many recognizable holiday shows of yesteryear.  The cast is made complete by the Holiday Pixie (Sarah Errington, also a “Spelling Bee” alum) and Christmas Carole (Debbie David), a Jewish holiday helper who proclaims, “I love Christmas more than any gentile I know.”

Each actor assumes a plethora of roles as they attempt to rediscover the true meaning of the season.  Horatio Humbug must satisfy Christmas Spirit’s demands or risk having his larvae eaten. He is incentivized to team up with Churro,the rubia bomb-eshell, Bandy Billiams, and Dracula in this critical quest.

Clever lyrics and bouncy tunes move the satire along as audiences enjoy Johnson’s George Bailey impression, Errington’s rather demonic Clarissa the angel, David’s drunken dissertation on how to make fruitcake, and Schein’s subservient and asthmatic Igor.  Egbert the Piano Elf (Patrick Marion) plays accompaniment for each foray into creating the perfect holiday extravaganza.

The most entertaining facet of the show is not necessarily the skits or impersonations, but the beauty of physical comedy and facial expressions.  Each of our actors exhibits perfect timing, body language and nonverbal messages that convey every bit as much as the scripted language.

Viewers will pick up on myriad references including Rudolph, the Three Wise Men, Hanukkah, Kwanza and holiday apparel, but what is the true reason for the season?  Through each failed attempt to appease Christmas Spirit, this quirky quartet is finally able to move the Joy-o-meter!  Our Pixie announces that the holiday is really all about togetherness for “insect, spirit and Jew.”

Kudos to Artistic Director, David Ellenstein, for bravely welcoming a new, untested holiday show.  I, for one, am delighted to go to the theater in December and enjoy something apart from “Scrooge” or “Grinch”, and while I wouldn’t risk bashing Tchaikovsky, and sounding like a troglodyte, if I never see the Waltz of the Flowers again, I won’t shed a tear.

The Humbug Holiday Spectacular will be showing at North Coast Repertory Theater until Dec. 28.
Tickets available at www.northcoastrep.org or by calling 858.481.1055
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts.  She may be contacted via eva.trieger @sdjewishworld.com