I know you. You've had it up to here with "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life." You'd love to tell the transformed Scrooge what he can do with that fat goose. You couldn't care less if Clarence gets his wings.
But you're not a complete Grinch, are you? You'd still be up for some live holiday fun – if it was, you know, funny.
Really funny.
So bust out some eggnog, Fezziwig – your stocking just got stuffed. Capital Stage's roller-coaster holiday theater sendup "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)" has returned for another season of irreverence. The farce written by Michael Carleton, John K. Alvarez and James Fitzgerald takes on the traditional holiday stories (and some not so traditional), turning them on their heads in comical retellings. "Frosty the Snowman," "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and even Charlie Brown get referenced in the inspired, three-actor scramble.
Anthony D'Juan and Gary Martinez return for their third turns in the comedy, with Jonathan Rhys Williams in his first go-round completing the trio. As always, the production is a manic marvel for the actors and their offstage costumers.
At first, a disconsolate Martinez, in dead Jacob Marley garb, tells the unbelieving Williams he just can't do another "A Christmas Carol." They then deconstruct familiar stories and traditions, including the mystery of fruitcake. The three actors demonstrate remarkable timing and versatility as they rip through numerous characters.
Martinez's game naiveté and D'Juan's pointed assuarance push the first act. In the tight second act, they mash up "A Christmas Carol" with "It's a Wonderful Life" as the impressive Williams eventually becomes a Jimmy Stewart-inflected Scrooge.
Director Greg Alexander paces the story at a gallop. His fine cast does the rest.
Call Bee theater critic Marcus Crowder, (916) 321-1120. Read his blog postings at www.sacbee.com/21q.
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