I'm starting my 2025 #TCTheater holiday* season on the naughty side. There's plenty of nice fare out there (e.g., Guthrie's 51st production of
A Christmas Carol or Chanhassen Dinner Theatre's remount of
White Christmas), but if you're looking a holiday treat that's more salty than sweet,
A Nice Family Christmas at Lyric Arts is a great choice. Despite the title, this family is not so nice, as they reluctantly gather for a Christmas Eve full of family dysfunction, sibling rivalry, breakups, secrets revealed, misunderstandings, arguments, and eventual reconciliation. Written by Phil Olson of the
Don't Hug Me franchise, this show has a similar tone of broad comedy and Minnesota references (it's not a #TCTheater holiday season without lutefisk jokes!). And it also has a bit of a
DalekoArts wacky holiday comedy feel; this show reunites the director and writer of the now closed New Prague theater's original holiday comedies and two of their regular cast members. The result is fun and wild and outrageous. Maybe don't bring anyone who's easily offended, but anyone who's ready to laugh at the antics of this wacky dysfunctional family will have a great time.
The fun continues through December 21 on Lyric Arts Main Street Anoka stage.
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the family celebrates (Kathleen Winters, Anthony Zadra,
Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green, and Lori Constable, photo by Molly Jay) |
The play takes place in real time on one Christmas Eve. Carl, a columnist for a little paper called the StarTribune, is the first to arrive at Mom's condo, where she moved after Dad (for whom Carl is named) died a few years ago. Grandma is also there, making a surprise visit from her retirement community in Florida, where she lives a very... active lifestyle. Soon favorite son Michael, a doctor, arrives, but without his wife Jill, who shows up later after it comes out that they're separated. Also dropping by are daughter Stacia, who seems to be the most together of the siblings, and Uncle Bob, Dad's wacky brother. Carl receives a call from his boss at the paper, asking him to write a column about Christmas traditions, so he spends the evening taking notes on the wild antics of his family (which they're not too pleased about when they find out). Mom says she has a surprise for everyone if they can "be good," a tall order for this crew, which begins a half-hearted contest to do nice things for each other. Some shocking secrets are revealed, which fuel the already tense situation. It's the kind of hilariously awkward family gathering that is fun to observe from the outside, and (hopefully) makes one's own family seem normal in comparison.
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Mom (Lori Constable) witness sibling rivalry (Patrick Kozicky
and Sam Sweere, photo by Molly Jay) |
Ben Thietje returns to direct his third show at Lyric Arts, and along with the talented seven-person cast, really leans into the broad comedy tone of the play and milks every joke, every moment, for laughs. As Carl, Patrick Kozicky plays the straight man through whom we experience this crazy family, but he also gets a moment to wig out. Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green's Stacia is also a fairly normal and grounded character, as she patiently tolerates Grandma's surprise at finding out that she's gay. Sam Sweere gives a very physical performance as Michael, all of his discomfort and trauma coming out through his body and sudden outbursts of sobs, his tall frame collapsing to the ground like all of the bones disintegrated. He's well-matched in Waverly Ann McCollum as Jill, her sunny disposition pierced by quick breakdowns. The tension and attraction between the estranged couple is palpable. Lori Constable is also great as the typical Midwestern mom, holding her family together, but with a few surprises of her own. As Grandma, Kathleen Winters gives a fearless and fully committed performance, delivering the most outrageous lines matter-of-factly, in the way of someone who speaks every thought that comes into their head and doesn't realize how inappropriate it may be. Last but not least, Anthony Zadra gives a delightfully madcap performance as the unpredictable Uncle Bob.
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Stacia (Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green), Jill (Waverly Ann McCollum),
and Mom (Lori Constable, photo by Molly Jay) |
The set has the structure of a modern clean-lined condo, but with homey decor including Christmas pillows, a fully set dining room table (with real food that gets eaten!), and family photos. A hallway that opens straight back from the middle of the set has multiple doors leading to the other unseen rooms of the home, used by the characters as they go to the bathroom or den and continue the conversation. The costume design tells us very clearly who these characters are, from Grandma's mismatched patterns, to Mom's collection of Christmassy pieces, to Uncle Bob's ugly reindeer sweater, to the younger generation's casual wear. Come early to the show to get some popcorn and enjoy the pre-show soundtrack of holiday favorites. (Scenic design by Greg Vanselow, costume design by Eleanor Schanilec, props design by Vicky Erickson, sound design by Bailey Fenn, lighting design by Ellie Simonett.)
The holidays are about spending time with the ones we love, even if that's awkward or uncomfortable sometimes. A Nice Family Christmas epitomizes that idea, and while it's more humor than heart, it is "nice" to see this family come together at the end and realize that maybe they do like each other.
