BWW Reviews: Schmeater's TWILIGHT ZONE: LIVE! – Both Hilarious and Touching

Theater Schmeater may have moved to new digs but they still know what we all love and that's their long running series of "The Twilight Zone: Live!" And not only are they still bringing the thrills, suspense, and laughs but even some very touching and sigh-able moments with a holiday flair. I don't think I've ever seen a "Zone" that I didn't like and these are no exceptions. In fact, this could be one of the best.

Culled directly from the 50's and 60's TV show Schmeater presents us with live interpretations of three classic episodes. In "The Lonely" convicted murderer Corry (Evan Whitfield) is sentenced to an isolated existence on an asteroid. So when the supply ship brings him a female android (Lauryn Rilla Hochberg) for company things look up. But what happens when he must leave it all behind? Then we have the gripping "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" as a happy suburban street is thrown into chaos and suspicion when a meteor falls nearby and the neighbors begin to suspect that some among them may be aliens. But who are really the monsters on Maple Street? And finally, get ready for a satisfied little sigh and a renewed faith in Santa as they present the classic Christmas episode "The Night of the Meek" where disillusioned and drunken department store Santa Henry Corwin (Brian Simmons) finds a mysterious bag that allows him to dole out everyone's fondest desires and to be the actual Santa for one night.

Director Tim Moore (and everyone's favorite Rod Serling) brings in that classic 60's style but also has instilled more realism and heart into this Zone than I've seen in the past making the themes all the more poignant. And the sets may be more paired down than I've seen but who needs them when you've got these gifted actors telling these fantastic stories?

The entire ensemble takes on multiple roles throughout all the stories (as well as in the hilarious commercial breaks) and each one completely shines. Teri Lazarra and Heather Gautschi each make for wonderful doting housewives but then also switch it up beautifully as an uptight nun and an equally uptight Mother. Ben McFadden switches from a nasty prison guard to an adorable child to a not so adorable little brat. Roy Stanton goes from kindly guard to frightened neighbor to snarky department store drone with seeming ease and to hilarious effect. But that's the way the Zones go, everyone pulls double (sometimes triple duty). But I must mention a couple of stand outs. David Rollinson brings that perfect 60's style to his role as suspected monster Steve. Whitfield takes his story from science fiction into heartbreaking drama. And Simmons brings enough heart and happiness to his Henry Corwin that Art Carney (the original Corwin from the TV show) could be envious.

It's just another win for Schmeater and the Zones. But then they're always fun. And so with my three letter rating system I give them a happy little YAY. I wouldn't expect any less from them.

"The Twilight Zone: Live!" performs at Theater Schmeater through December 20th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.schmeater.org.

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