“Emilia’s Sugarplum Nightmare”: Silly, Seasonal Satire
Words by Kristen Fogle
“Emilia’s Sugarplum Nightmare” is an original work, with a script by George Weinberg Harter and Gail West, lyrics by George Winberg Harter, and music by Marje Fiene, with keyboard arrangement by Pam Monroe. The piece is a fun romp, with silly musical numbers that never take themselves too seriously and well-accomplished actors that bring their A-game.
The entire play is set in Emilia’s bedroom. Emilia’s age is unknown, but we can guess she is a junior high/high schooler, who is writing a paper about some of the lesser known aspects of the holiday season. Particularly, she wants to understand how Christmas became so commercialized and why people give gifts in the first place. Her kindly grandmother dissuades her from eating too much sugar to help her stay awake, as she believes Emilia will have bad dreams. Emilia insists that she will be fine, but sure enough, she drifts off to sleep and is visited by not only the Biblical three wise men, but Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his highly energetic elf assistant, Effie. The wise men (which include one woman) attempt to explain the gift giving aspect of the holidays, and though they are helpful and educational, they admit that they have loftier goals: they want to intercept Santa and put him on trial for several “crimes” he has committed, such as not actually having a workshop at the North Pole and for money laundering. As Emilia’s bedroom becomes courtroom and Effie and Mrs. Claus head to the witness stand, we find out just how good (or bad) Santa really is.
Intercepting some of the dialogue are quirky ditties. From the first song, “Beware of Sugar,” a tango between Emilia and her concerned Gramma, we know we are in for an entertaining ride. “Anti-Santa Rap” (by Richie Chesky) is a short, high energy favorite sung by the three wise men (though a bit hard to hear with the loud background music), and Effie’s all-out “I Gotta Be My Self” is cute and catchy.
West and Harter have revived the play after ten years, making minor tweaks to it. After meeting in a production with Lamb’s in 1989, the pair has written several one acts together; when West and Sandy Gullans formed Talent to Amuse Theatre Co., it was “Emilia” that they chose at the time as their first production.
Liberty Hall Theatre is where the play performs this time around, part of the impressive structure that is Paradise Village, a gated residential, resort style complex that has both independent and assisted living areas. In addition to the beautiful theater, there is a restaurant (with incredible menu items, I noticed), a barista station, putting green, wellness center, swimming pool, and concierge service for starters. Located in South Bay, this area is welcome respite from its slightly bleak surroundings.
But as said, the accomplished actors are great, and could probably bring their high energy talent to any venue. Balthazarina (Gail West), Gaspar (George Weinberg Harter), and especially Melchoir (Chris Fonseca) play kooky, dramatic wise men that offer more than a few laughs. Effie (Lena Jones) only appears toward the end of the show, but her vivaciousness, paired with pure adorable, make her a delight to watch. Even newby Dacia Bond, who attends a performing arts high school and boasts Emilia as her first semi-professional role, can hold her own. Kudos also to Pam Monroe on keys—I haven’t enjoyed watching someone play a keyboard as much as her…perhaps ever. Director O.P. Hadlock also deserves note, whose precise, well crafted blocking made sure the bubbly characters were never stagnant and always engaged in some sort of interesting movement.
“Emilia” makes one a bit stir crazy as there is no intermission, and I think this play is probably better suited to a younger audience (which is confusing as the play is billed as “The Christmas Story Your Parents Never Told you,” evoking something a bit more sinister than this light hearted, jovial comedy). But for those who want to learn some fun Christmas facts, see their beloved Santa in a new light, or just want to celebrate the season in a different way, a trip to Paradise Village to see the impressive grounds and take in this odd ball show may be in order.
Emilia’s Sugarplum Nightmare
12/10-12/22
Liberty Hall, Paradise Village
http://www.talenttoamuse.com/
http://www.liveatparadise.com/
“Emilia’s Sugarplum Nightmare” is an original work, with a script by George Weinberg Harter and Gail West, lyrics by George Winberg Harter, and music by Marje Fiene, with keyboard arrangement by Pam Monroe. The piece is a fun romp, with silly musical numbers that never take themselves too seriously and well-accomplished actors that bring their A-game.
The entire play is set in Emilia’s bedroom. Emilia’s age is unknown, but we can guess she is a junior high/high schooler, who is writing a paper about some of the lesser known aspects of the holiday season. Particularly, she wants to understand how Christmas became so commercialized and why people give gifts in the first place. Her kindly grandmother dissuades her from eating too much sugar to help her stay awake, as she believes Emilia will have bad dreams. Emilia insists that she will be fine, but sure enough, she drifts off to sleep and is visited by not only the Biblical three wise men, but Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his highly energetic elf assistant, Effie. The wise men (which include one woman) attempt to explain the gift giving aspect of the holidays, and though they are helpful and educational, they admit that they have loftier goals: they want to intercept Santa and put him on trial for several “crimes” he has committed, such as not actually having a workshop at the North Pole and for money laundering. As Emilia’s bedroom becomes courtroom and Effie and Mrs. Claus head to the witness stand, we find out just how good (or bad) Santa really is.
Intercepting some of the dialogue are quirky ditties. From the first song, “Beware of Sugar,” a tango between Emilia and her concerned Gramma, we know we are in for an entertaining ride. “Anti-Santa Rap” (by Richie Chesky) is a short, high energy favorite sung by the three wise men (though a bit hard to hear with the loud background music), and Effie’s all-out “I Gotta Be My Self” is cute and catchy.
West and Harter have revived the play after ten years, making minor tweaks to it. After meeting in a production with Lamb’s in 1989, the pair has written several one acts together; when West and Sandy Gullans formed Talent to Amuse Theatre Co., it was “Emilia” that they chose at the time as their first production.
Liberty Hall Theatre is where the play performs this time around, part of the impressive structure that is Paradise Village, a gated residential, resort style complex that has both independent and assisted living areas. In addition to the beautiful theater, there is a restaurant (with incredible menu items, I noticed), a barista station, putting green, wellness center, swimming pool, and concierge service for starters. Located in South Bay, this area is welcome respite from its slightly bleak surroundings.
But as said, the accomplished actors are great, and could probably bring their high energy talent to any venue. Balthazarina (Gail West), Gaspar (George Weinberg Harter), and especially Melchoir (Chris Fonseca) play kooky, dramatic wise men that offer more than a few laughs. Effie (Lena Jones) only appears toward the end of the show, but her vivaciousness, paired with pure adorable, make her a delight to watch. Even newby Dacia Bond, who attends a performing arts high school and boasts Emilia as her first semi-professional role, can hold her own. Kudos also to Pam Monroe on keys—I haven’t enjoyed watching someone play a keyboard as much as her…perhaps ever. Director O.P. Hadlock also deserves note, whose precise, well crafted blocking made sure the bubbly characters were never stagnant and always engaged in some sort of interesting movement.
“Emilia” makes one a bit stir crazy as there is no intermission, and I think this play is probably better suited to a younger audience (which is confusing as the play is billed as “The Christmas Story Your Parents Never Told you,” evoking something a bit more sinister than this light hearted, jovial comedy). But for those who want to learn some fun Christmas facts, see their beloved Santa in a new light, or just want to celebrate the season in a different way, a trip to Paradise Village to see the impressive grounds and take in this odd ball show may be in order.
Emilia’s Sugarplum Nightmare
12/10-12/22
Liberty Hall, Paradise Village
http://www.talenttoamuse.com/
http://www.liveatparadise.com/
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