A Good Old Fashioned Redneck Country Christmas at CCT - A Review

Berlin, CT - A GOOD OLD FASHIONED REDNECK COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is a play written by Kristine Bauske with just the tiniest bit of music. The playwright is a native of Michigan and a University of Michigan graduate; the proud member of the Dramatist’s Guild of America now lives near Orlando, Florida and brings a keen eye to this delightful comedy with a Christmas theme.

Connecticut Cabaret Theatre opened the Connecticut premiere of this wonderfully funny and surprisingly heartwarming play on Friday to a packed house, and the remaining performances are just about sold old. Nonetheless, I recommend calling the box office to try to secure a ticket before it closes on December 21 if you want to enjoy this unique and well-performed comedy with a big heart.

The story goes that Bill, Dave, and Jimmy have had it with their women. On Christmas Eve, the boys decide to high-tail it into the mountains for a little hunting and a lot of beer. Meanwhile, back at Lou’s Diner, their three feisty gals are hard at work. Owner Lou has been trying to have a baby (unsuccessfully) with her husband Bill. Barbie Jo, Lou’s head waitress, is married to Dave, and they have kids. Darlene is dating Jimmy, but while she’s ready to settle down, Jimmy can’t stand the idea of “commitment”. It’s clearly gonna take a Christmas miracle to get these redneck families back together and (spoiler alert) thank God one just came to town.

The playwright smartly stops short of making the rednecks and their wives simply caricatures. At the risk of overintectualizing the comedy, this allows the work to appeal to a wider audience and we don’t dismiss the characters immediately. The Christmas miracle is the best scene in the play and it is set up so that the three wise guys are an integral part of it. It is all done with much respect and was not at all what I expected, given the title.

Of course, it could all have gone to a much less appealing place if director/producer Kris McMurray hadn’t worked his magic with both the casting and his always spot on direction. The country vibe started from the minute we were seated by ushers in cowboy and other festive headgear, sporting country accents and plenty of charm. The actors maintained the easy country vibe in their inflections and made the most of their snowy Christmas Eve attire at all times.

The genial Dave Wall (SYLVIA, CALENDAR GIRLS, THE UNDERPANTS, NANA'S NAUGHTY KNICKERS) began the show as Bob, a first-time customer at Lou’s Diner, who steps out of the action to gently narrate the story. Maria Pompile (THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH) was simply adorable as another newcomer to the town of Christmas named Mary Sue Archer. James J. Moran just about stole the show in the role of a first year medical student named Mark Riley. It is always such a treat for me to see this talented young actor on stage in any role he chooses.

Tracey Brown (CLEVER LITTLE LIES, DRACULA, CALENDAR GIRLS) had one of the best costumes for the role of the beautiful Darlene. Karen Gagliardi (CLEVER LITTLE LIES, THE OLDEST PROFESSION) is a CRT veteran; she stepped easily into the role of the sassy Lou and made it her own, as she always does. Jennifer Nadeau (CALENDAR GIRLS) did very well as the mother of Dave’s children Barbie Jo “I am a kiwi” Fox.

“If God punished your every time you did something stupid, He wouldn’t have time for anything else.” Bill Wexler to Jimmy Weaver

The three actors who play the trio of rednecks hiding out on Christmas Eve were a joy to watch. Rick Bennett (THE RAT PACK, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM) stepped into the role Jimmy Weaver with both feet and made us laugh out loud. Chris Brooks (THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF COMEDY ABRIDGED) donned a wig under his camo cap to play to the hilt the role of the overwhelmed young father Dave Fox. And I never tire of watching Russell Fish (THE FANTASTICKS, SOCIAL SECURITY) take on any role, so to see him as perhaps the wisest of the three men, Bill Wexler, was a holiday treat. Congratulations to every member of this cast on a very strong opening night performance.

The scenery designed by technical director James J. Moran is a work of art in both its design and functionality. For the first act it flipped between a country diner run by Lou and a hunting cabin, but for the second act we were brought from the woods, back to the hunting cabin and finally to a shed. The cast managed and crew managed the extensive set changes quickly and efficiently. Linda Kelly was the busy stage manager and CJ Janis was the capable light and sound operator for the performance; expect holiday music like “We’re Having a Redneck Christmas” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” with which the opening night audience enjoyed singing along loudly.

The CCT has smartly chosen to produce the sequel to A GOOD OLD FASHIONED REDNECK COUNTRY CHRISTMAS in their upcoming season. The sequel brings back the three couples for A GOOD OLD FASHIONED REDNECK COUNTRY WEDDING in what should be another hilarious comedy, which I suspect one could enjoy even if they did not get the chance to meet during the run of the Christmas version. The wedding will take place April 3 through May 2 of next year and there were special wedding invitations on the cabaret tables on this opening night. If you book your tickets at a performance of the CHRISTMAS version, you will receive a special gift the night of the performance next year.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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