If you give it some thought, I’m sure you can recall one or three or a dozen favorite characters from Christmas song and story from when you were a child, like Frosty the Snowman or that cute Red Nosed Reindeer. Wouldn’t you like to know where they are now, how they grew up, and if they are still inspiring Christmas cheer?
They were your heroes and heroines of Christmas lore long past. Thanks to a classic series of vignettes courtesy of Hartford TheaterWorks, “Christmas on the Rocks” reappears for its annual viewing for the twelfth inspired time until Sunday, December 22. This is Hartford TheaterWorks’s traditional gift to the theater community and it has been a comic delight for years and years in a row. The ingenious concept of Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, it involves the original creative genius of seven playwrights whose works have been produced here on stage. Each has selected a favorite Christmas character, like Tiny Tim and Scrooge and Charlie Brown, and fashioned a visit to a local bar on Christmas Eve to tell their story.
It’s high time to belly up to the bar If you've ever wondered if Tiny Tim got to throw away his crutches or if Scrooge really had his hard heart melted in a vat of milk chocolate. Every year the vignettes change but be reassured that "Christmas on the Rocks” is likely the perfect theatrical gift to give yourself.
Have you ever cared how they have fared? Have the years been kind or cruel? Are there any surprises in their life plans? The minute you step into the friendly neighborhood tavern on Christmas Eve, the fun begins. Midge, Barbie’s BFF confesses she is no longer relevant and has been replaced. Boo woo! But have no fear, the new visitors will knock themselves out to be great company.
The bar’s friendly bartender, a genial Richard Kline of theatrical fame is prepared to listen to a series of tales of woe. up first is Kevin who believes he made his whole family disappear when they go off on vacation and leave him “home alone.” As told by Matthew Wilkas, Kevin is now an enthusiastic security system expert with a bag of death and boogy traps, ready to catch the latest gang, the Stinky Bandits. Can he sell Larry, the bartender on his scary wares?
One of the newest members of the Christmas season is a little creature that sits in your home, anywhere it is placed and tries to spy on your children to see if they are nice or naughty. Come meet the truly acrobatic Elf on the Shelf, the creation of Jenn Harris, her personal “Snitch.” Come be amazed by her gyrations as she jumps and flies to impossible heights.
To experience the quality of Jeffrey Hatcher's humor, come meet an elf who feels he is a misfit and just wants to belong in "Say It Glows.” Hermie wants to be a dentist and perform root canals, not be stuck in Santa’s workshop making toys. He clearly has a thing about Rudolph and his shiny nose and may just be heading for a breakdown over his past guilty deeds.
Jenn Harris and Matthew Wilkas proclaim “My Name is KAREN!” as the cartoon girl Karen enters the bar with a hair dryer. She takes full credit for creating Frosty the Snowman and equally gleeful credit for his demise. The police are at the door and her arrest may be imminent. Go, Karen, go!
A little religious commentary intrudes when Judy Gold and Jacques Lamarre introduce “Drumsticks and Chill” where we discover that Jews love Christmas, even more than Chanukah.The Little Drummer Boy has been traumatized with his extreme drum playing and is now trying to recover and just chill out. Will he succeed? "Still Nuts About Him" by Edwin Sanchez focuses his talents on Clara, the ballerina, who is now married to the Nutcracker, her personal and infuriating czar of love. She fears he is cheating on her and uses her toy nutcracker to annihilate all the bar nuts in the tavern. Last but certainly not least, Jacques Lamarre is serving up "Merry Christmas, Blockhead.” Here he is the psychiatrist/coach/love counselor for Charlie Brown and the little red haired girl of his youth. Good grief, the evening ends on a sweet and sentimental note. All the female roles are portrayed by Jen Cody and the male roles by Harry Buoy and, with Richard Kline tending bar, they are all wonderful. Director Rob Ruggiero keeps the insanity and laughs rolling merrily along. For tickets ($20-78), call Hartford TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at www.twhartford.org. Performances are Tuesday-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. For a cynical, quirky and sentimental look at Christmases past, let "Christmas on the Rocks" serve you a flavorful cocktail of tasty potent potables.
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