Judy's Scary Little Christmas: Review in the Steadstyle Chicago

Theatre Review by Joe Stead

This "Scary" Little Holiday Offering is a First Class Treat

Pictured Above: Jennifer Connelly stars in "Judy's Scary Little Christmas"

for Hell in a Handbag Productions. Photos by Michael Miller.C

Judy's Scary Little Christmas

Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****

Imagine if you could assemble the likes of Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Liberace, Ethel Merman and Joan Crawford again in one television special. During the 1950s and 60s such a cavalcade would indeed have been possible as musical variety programs such as "The Judy Garland Show" triumphed over the airways. Oh to return to those black and white glory days where talent and larger than life personas shone like mega-watt light bulbs over the din of today's reality show and "American Idol" bleakness.

Well, thanks to Hell in a Handbag Productions, those zany and off-kilter satirists responsible for "sCarrie The Musical," "Poseidon! An Upside-Down Musical," and "Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer," such a time capsule is vividly captured in "Judy's Scary Little Christmas," now at the tiny Strawdog Theatre. Cleverly written by James Webber and David Church and set to Joe Patrick Ward's toe-tapping original score, "Judy's Scary Little Christmas" comes as manna from on high for "nostalgists". It is also superbly executed by the Hell in a Handbag crew, who channel the diverse and unmistakable personalities of vintage TV and Hollywood. In short, this "Scary" little holiday offering is a first class treat.

The time is 1959 and the legendary Judy Garland is making her television comeback with an old-fashioned "Judy and Friends" style Christmas celebration. Judy and her three backup boys welcome the live television audience (us) with "Back in Christmas Town," while old pal Bing Crosby joins Judy in an old family recipe, "Let's Share A Cup of Irish Cheer." The fabulous candelabra showman Liberace encourages the audience to join in on "The Candy Cane Twist," while the first lady of the American musical theatre, Ethel Merman, hot off her "Gypsy" triumph on Broadway, takes an island detour for "Mauna Loa Hula Holiday."

Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon turns a supposedly brief cameo into an extended appearance that threatens to sour "The Life of the Party," while getting into a love-hate spat with left-leaning playwright Lillian Hellman. Even the glamorous Joan Crawford makes an appearance (wire hangers, anyone?). Meanwhile, a mysterious specter raises some skillfully crafted life and death questions for our celebrity cast.

Several of the impersonations are downright uncanny. Trista Smith's brassy vocals eerily raise the late, great Merman from her grave, as Michael S. Miller's party crashing square Nixon is spot on perfect. Brannen Daugherty is adorable as the perpetually smiling and flamboyant maestro Liberace, and Derek Czaplewski's mellow and dapper crooning easily conveys "Der Bingle." Anyone attempting to play the one and only Garland is up against unsurpassable memories of one of the most beloved entertainers of all time, but Jennifer Connelly is terrific. And if the sight of her dressed in Judy's "Get Happy" black hat and tuxedo jacket doesn't bring a smile, then you haven't had nearly enough helpings of "Summer Stock" and "Meet Me in St. Louis" lately.

All of the performers are strong vocalists, and they get some spiffy support from Richard Banden, Loren Connell and Adam Keune as Judy's sprightly backup trio. Brigitte Ditmars, who doubles as a chain smoking, anti-Capitalist Lillian Hellman, has devised the simple but amusing choreography on the awkward little Strawdog stage. Handbag regulars David Cerda (in full drag turn as Joan Crawford), Ed Jones and newcomer Ben Osburn round out a sensational and wacky stroll down memory lane.

"Judy's Scary Little Christmas" continues at Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway, through January 7. The musical runs 2 hours with intermission. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. There will be a special Wednesday performance on December 21 at 8:00 p.m. and no performances on December 24 or 25. Tickets are $15 to $25 and are available by calling (312) 409-4357. For additional information, visit www.handbagproductions.org.