Falcon Presents Troubies' First Jo-el

The First Jo-el
The Troubadour Theater Company
written by the Troubies
directed by Matt Walker
Falcon Theatre
through January 16 (no performances December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1)

Christmas is not Christmas without a Troubie show. Parodies such as It's a Stevie Wonderful Life and Frosty the Snow Manilow have become staples of holiday cheer. This year it's The First Jo-el celebrating the birth of Jesus - well, it's at least a part of it, but let's not get too serious, and the music of Billy Joel. Matt Walker and his jolly troupe of actors/singers/dancers/clowns make the Falcon rock, setting audience spirit at a rip-roaring holiday high.

As one Troubie member describes it, at the onset the troupe sit down with a bottle of tequila and a concept, and the creative process of the show and its characters begins. There is not one writer, as everyone participates in character and scene development. With a heavy emphasis on the news, politics and laughter, The First Jo-el is set in Bethlehem where a Spanish Palestinian couple Leticia (Katie Nunez) and Manolo (Matt Morgan) are expecting their first child. Innkeepers Nicholas (Jack McGee) and Greta (Lisa Valenzuela), parents of Letty, do not condone her marriage to a common stable boy, but other more pressing issues are in store. Enter three travelers: Gold (Matt Walker), Myr (Brandon Breault) and Frankenstein (Morgan Rusler) who have followed a star in the sky to the Inn expecting a heavenly birth. Greedy Nicholas seizes the opportunity to advertise his daughter as a Miracle Mom. Mary (Katherine Malak) and Joseph (Matt Walker) show up seeking shelter, and the plot thickens. Throw in not one but two Winter Warlocks (Beth Kennedy and ? - is it a hologram?), King Herod (Morgan Rusler) and three Angels (Christine Lakin, Katherine Malak, and Jackie Seiden) for atmosphere, and the story of the First Christmas is born, glorious or not. One thing is clear: you've never seen it played out quite like this before!

It's a hoot and a holler, like all Troubie shows, and the cast are all terrific. No real standouts, except maybe Morgan Rusler as Herod and particularly as a hilariously goofy Frankenstein monster. Walker, Kennedy, Malak and Rusler all play more than one role, proving their versatility, or is it insanity? Walker keeps the pace fast and cheerful and those great Joel songs are here including: "Movin' Out", "Get It Right", "Uptown Girl", "I Love You Just the Way You Are", "Always a Woman", "Big Shot", "Only the Good Die Young", "New York State of Mind", "Pressure" and even "Piano Man" after the finale.

Credit Mike Jespersen for a fun set, Naomi Yoshida for bright period costumes and Jeremy Pivnick for fab lighting design! Molly Alvarez is responsible for the dynamite choreography.
Fun, fun, fun and more funny adult humor that you should not miss! Most performances sell out, so get your tickets now!
Call (818)-955-8101.

 

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