Review: Candlelight Pavilion Goes HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Home for Christmas/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/book by John LaLonde & Debbie Prutsman/music & lyrics: various artists/directed by John LaLonde/musical director: Douglas Austin/choreographer: Dustin Ceithamer/through December 27

There's no finer Christmas entertainment than an original story about home and family that has lots of humor, music and more than enough touches of magic...and of course, several kids and, to top it all off, Santa and Mrs. Claus. That's pretty much it in a nutshell with Home For Christmas, 2015's holiday show currently onstage at Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont through December 27. It's a whole lot of imaginative fun that you cannot afford to miss.

I do not want to spoil the story too much so will only provide a few important details. What you will see is set four days before Christmas circa 1948 with the Bramston family, some wealthy, some not. The wealthier members Edward II and wife Florence (Robert Hoyt/Candice Rochelle Berge) plan to go to Maine to visit their Aunt Bertie (Beth Mendoza) who is dirt poor, living in a log cabin in the fresh mountain air, with no electricity and outdoor plumbing. But there are acres and acres of land attached to the property that greedy Edward and Florence want to get their hands on for profitable gain...and they must convince Bertie to sell before time runs out legally on December 31. Daughter Elizabeth (Hannah Wolgermuth) is a typically spoiled child with evil intentions, who does not want to be there. When she sees that her country cousin Emma (Jaidyn Young) still adores and plays at 14 with a motley assortment of dolls, she makes fun of her innocence and, for no reason, becomes determined to hurt her, regardless of the fact that poor Emma is going blind. All I will tell you is that Emma's toys have minds of their own and find a way - with help from the elves at the North Pole - to punish Elizabeth and to set things right. Of course the Clauses ( Mama and Papa) ultimately bring joy and happiness to one and all. This is a family show, and everyone should leave the theatre smiling.... and believe me, you will.

LaLonde and Prutsman have fun every year concocting these stories, twisting and turning traditional themes and incorporating s bevy of bright holiday tunes, such as "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "Christmas in Killarney", "Christmas Memories", "Here Comes Santa Claus", among many others including, in a more serious vein, "O Holy Night", sung beautifully by Mrs. Claus.

The entire cast are a delight. Mendoza adds a special touch of warmth and earthiness as Aunt Bertie and lifts her voice in song quite nicely with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Wolgermuth and Young are also standouts as Elizabeth and Emma, as are Hoyt and Berge as the devious Bramstons. Kudos as well to: Stanton Kane Morales, Adam Trent, Chris Duir, and dolls: Marius Beltran, Marie Gutierrez, Jessie Parmelee, Rachel McLaughlan - another standout as the Queen, Katie McConaughy, Michael Gonzalez, Jabriel Shelton, Marcos Alexander and Janice Lee.

Dustin Ceithamer makes choreographic magic with the toys twirling hoola hoops and hurling beach balls in the "Fun" Act I finale; Chuck Ketter has designed a wonderfully homey Maine cottage and Jenny Senior/Merrill Grady have accomplished a lovely coordination of costumes, especially for the toy dolls. Of course, director LaLonde keeps the whole affair moving forward with fluid staging and just the right merry pace.

Some look at Christmastime as schmaltzy and overdone. So, if that's your take, stay away. If you love Christmas, like me, you'll have a ball, so go, go, go and reserve, as most of these holiday shows sell out way in advance!

As always, Act One: the dinner is the best. Staff are warm and friendly. A special shout-out and Merry Christmas to the Bollingers and to my favorite server Travis, who always goes out of his way to make the experience a happy one for me and my party. Specialty drinks are the Jing Jing a Ling Martini, Santa's Sangria and the Wintertime Coffee for only $10. You get to keep a pretty Christmas mug with the specialty coffee.

http://www.candlelightpavilion.com/

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