Date: Fri 20-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Illustration: C

Location: A15

Quick Words:

Blake-Holiday-TheatreWorks

Full Text:

(rev "Take A Holiday" at TheatreWorks New Milford, 12/20/96)

Theatre Review-

It Really Isn't Too Lake To Take A Holiday

(with cut)

By Julie Stern

NEW MILFORD - What's not to like about a Christmas show which takes eight of

the deftest performers from various area theatres and puts them together in a

concert of pop songs and oldies to which just about everyone in the audience

knows all the words?

Author-director Brad Blake provides his own accompaniment with an onstage

piano as the performers, all of whom he salutes as long-time friends. The

prevailing mood is merry, as befits the comic talents of the cast, in

TheaterWorks New Milford's Take a Holiday .

If you thrilled to Pump Boys and Dinettes at D'ART a few years ago you will

recognize Tom Matson as the cherubically amiable Pump Boy, who in fact

recently married Diana Rieker, his favorite Dinette, who joins him in his

production.

Also from the Danbury stage recently is Michael Gabinelli, who was so

remarkable in the serious role of Salieri in Amadeus , showing how well he can

sing and dance when he isn't hatching trouble for Mozart.

Suzy (Erickson) Pettibone, who has sung lead roles in numerous Musicals at

Richter productions, fills the tiny New Milford auditorium with her rich and

beautiful voice. The company is rounded out by veterans Dennis Martin, Skip

Jennings, Helen Masterson and Jackie DeRoeck, the last of which has

choreographed over 50 musicals in the area over recent years, in addition to

being a polished performer.

So what are the songs in this revue? Well, there are the old standbys Bing

Crosby sang - "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland," "Let It Snow" and

"Home for the Holidays"; a medley of goofy kids songs that every Boomer grew

up with, including "All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth," "I Saw

Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and the infamous version of "Jingle Bells" that

begins "Jingle Bells, Batman smells..."

While the first act focuses on Christmas specifically, the second romps

through every holiday on the calendar, seguing happily from "My Funny

Valentine" to "Irish Eyes are Smiling," "Easter Parade" to "June is Bustin'

Out All Over," and so on.

The whole effect is extremely pleasant. Perhaps the nicest part is seeing (and

hearing) how much the audience - from twenty-somethings to seniors - obviously

enjoy it.

TheatreWorks' Take A Holiday closes December 22, but there are three

performances before then: Friday and Saturday at 8 pm; and Sunday, December

22, at 7 pm. Tickets are $12 each, $10 seniors and students. Call 860/350-6863

for details.