BWW Reviews: Reduced Shakespeare Company Gives Christmas The Business (abridged)

Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged)

Written and Directed by ReEd Martin and Austin Tichenor; Scenic Design & Painting, Tim Holtslag; Costume Design, Skipper Skeoch; Sound Design, Mark Osten, Matthew Cowell; Props, Jenn Rugyt, Tim Holtslag, Mike Barney, Alli Bostedt; Wise Men Movement, Jenn Rugyt; Stage Manager, Emily F. McMullen

Featuring: ReEd Martin, Matt Rippy, Austin Tichenor

Performances through December 18 at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Liberty Hall (adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium), 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA; Box Office 978-654-4MRT (4678) or www.merrimackrep.org

We may have barely digested our Thanksgiving dinner, but it is time to feast on the antics of the three fruitcakes who identify as the Reduced Shakespeare Company as they present the East Coast premiere of The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. TUCS(a) is about as light and gay as you can get and it will surely make your spirits bright, whether you joyfully embrace the upcoming season or get dragged into it, kicking and screaming.

Visiting MRT for the fifth time in ten years, Reduced Shakespeare Company, starring co-writers/directors ReEd Martin and Austin Tichenor, combines sharp wit, intelligence, and a knack for knowing what will make an audience laugh. By titling their presentation "St. Everybody's Universalist Church Multicultural Interfaith Holiday Variety Show and Christmas Pageant," they include acts of astounding diversity, offering fun for folks of all ages and religious persuasions. Actually, the show tilts precariously toward the sacrilegious, but the material is respectfully disrespectful and never offensive. Bring your sense of humor, leave your high horse at the door, and turn off all cell phones!

Joining Martin and Tichenor for his second appearance on the MRT stage is Matt Rippy, whose endearing boyish exuberance makes him the Jerry Lewis of the trio. Employing a slight premise that a winter storm has made it impossible for any of the scheduled acts to appear at St. Everybody's Pageant, in the tradition of "the show must go on," the boys step into the void, using whatever props and costumes have managed to arrive. TUCS(a) is a showcase for their comedic versatility as they sing, dance (sort of), play musical instruments, act out multiple characters (male, female, Son of God, and animal), and change costumes in the blink of an eye.

The best thing about this troupe is their ability to appear natural at all times. To be sure, they commit a few flubs along the fast-paced way, but they effectively ad lib through them, poking fun at each other and themselves, making it all the more fun. Even the audience gets drawn into the act for an on-the-spot creation of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Comedy is difficult, but these guys are pros and make it look easy. They are willing to take risks – I guarantee you will never hear "White Christmas" in quite the same way ever again – and are not averse to looking ridiculous in some of Skipper Skeoch's costume designs. I won't spoil the sight gags by describing them, but Austin's gay apparel, Reed's turn as Baby Jesus, and the three of them channeling The Bee Gees in disco garb are the ultimate.   

A couple of my other favorite bits are Tichenor reciting a poem about holiday airline travel (owing a debt of gratitude to Clement C. Moore), Letters to Santa, a traditional English Panto about the first Christmas, and the concluding elf ballet company production of "The Nutcracker." There are surprising, albeit twisted, new lessons to be learned about Santa's role in saving Christmas, the origins of Hanukah and Kwanzaa, and the history of several Christmas traditions. RSC also invites the audience to participate in the St. Everybody's Gift Exchange with wrapped presents under an onstage tree.

It doesn't seem right that the show has to end when everybody is having such a good time, but the lights on the Christmas tree power on, snow drifts down from overhead, and – really - nothing can follow the elf ballet.

Photo Credit: Meghan Moore (Austin Tichenor, Matt Rippy, ReEd Martin)

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