Everyone has favorite Christmas characters, elves and angels that strike a happy cord and engage the heart of children with merriment. Theaterworks Hartford has for the past twelve years assembled an hysterical menagerie of the ones at the top of your beloved list and has married them together in a joyous mix up for your holiday entertainment. This lucky number thirteen is no exception. Until Tuesday, December 23, you’re invited to “Christmas in the Rocks" to send your spirits soaring with laughter once again.
Thanks to Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, more than a dozen years ago he engaged a half dozen playwrights to pen a humorous visitation with your childhood favs. Think a parade of reindeer, cartoons and holiday friends now are found in adult situations they they need help surviving.
“Christmas on the Rocks” features vignettes by John Cariani, Jenn Harris, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lamarre, Edwin Sanchez, and Matthew Wilkas and, don’t worry, the offering is updated and changed every year. We start by visiting Karen in jail still serving time for melting her creation Frosty with her hair dryer, hoping for a stay of rehabilitation.
With a genial Richard Kline pouring the libations at the corner tavern, the first one in the door is Ralphie with an eye patch, because someone shot his eye out just as his mother always predicted. In this case it was an accident after his b-b-gun was used at his safety gun class. To add insult to injury, Ralphie is reunited with his pushy pink bunny suit and he enthusiastically embraces the soft reminder of his youth.
Next in the door is Zuzu with a dying flower and the paranoia of hearing bells everywhere. Church bells, doorbells, cow bells, school bells all frighten her. She believes that every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings. Oh, no!
Are you into root canal? Next is an elf who refuses to make toys in the toy room and would much prefer to be a dentist. With a drink of root beer and Novacaine, he complains about his rival Rudolph and is looking for his next cavity to fill.
Before you can say “candy cane” three times, there is an adorable and spunky Elf on the Shelf everywhere in the bar, energetically trying to make Santa understand her plight caused by bad parents. She is definitely in line for physical therapy and mental relief therapy after being made to be a “snitch” for the mothers and fathers.
Come meet Kevin of Home Alone fame who now earns a living arranging booby traps to keep homes safe. After what happened to him, he has a whole bag of tricks to protect and secure houses, like the Tar and Feather Trap.
Clara from the Nutcracker story treats the bartender to a whole list of old people jokes while busy smashing nuts with her Nutcracker, the man she married. He has cheated on her and she wants revenge until he calls her and then she is running in her ballerina slippers straight back in his arms.
In the finale, nebbishy Charlie Brown is reunited, shyly and sweetly, with his Little Red Headed Girl and they shuffle together in a dance in perfect harmony, just as they never got to do on the playground. These reflections were all conceived and directed by Rob Ruggiero and will delight your senses and your fond memories.
For tickets ($43-88), call Theaterworks Hartford, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at boxoffice@twhartford.org. Performances are Tuesday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m.,Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Come early and shop at TWH’s delightful Christmas Gift Shop where you will find original presents like satin ribbon roses, earring ornaments, peanut butter and jelly push toys, veggie and fruit pins, Uno card earrings and Christmas framed jewelry and much more.
Decorate your Christmas holiday with fun and joy by attending “Christmas on the Rocks” made more festive by the antics of Jen Cody and Matthew McGloin as they tipple and toast with their favorite barkeep Richard Kline. To Jan Cody, this show is the most thrilling she has ever done, a little bit like improv mixed with Saturday Night Live. It was a little scary at first and her ballerina training definitely helped because Clara is her favorite character. Bottoms up! L’Chaim! Skol! Salute!
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