The Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC), the “Bad Boys of Abridgement,” are famous for such monumental shows as The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), The Complete History of America (abridged) and The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged). And so it was with this company that the San Diego REPertory Theatre presented their first holiday play in seven years, The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged).
The show is billed as an irreverent but heartwarming trip through the winter holidays. The cast of three, Michael Faulkner, Dustin Sullivan and Mick Orfe are about to stage the “Multicultural Interfaith Holiday Variety Show and Christmas Pageant” and have a myriad of acts lined up to perform including a pantomime company from England to a Mid-West troupe’s presentation of how Santa saved Christmas.
But as the show opens our “Three Wise Guys” realize that due to the bad weather closing in none of the acts have showed up. The show unfolds as the trio decides to improvise, recreate and perform each of the acts themselves.
Even with their heritage you wonder at the start of the show how three regular guys in T-shirts and pants on a very spartan stage with few props are going to make it happen for you.
Wonder no more. Faulkner, Sullivan and Orfe go through a hilarious series of routines that had the audience doubled up in laughter. They skillfully move from skit to skit playing brilliantly off each other and the audience. The improvisation and off the cuff one-liners are timed perfectly in a rollercoaster of fun. Nobody is spared as the acts cover a multitude of religions, myths and lay bare the history of some of the best-loved Christmas traditions.
The show is cleverly paced and there is not a moment when the audience’s attention is lost. The laughs just keep coming and stand out moments include Faulkner’s take on that old Christmas favorite ’Twas the Night before Christmas.
There are some surprises, too, which I won’t reveal for fear of spoiling your enjoyment, but I will say that the new lyrics to the “12 Days of Christmas” are very unique.
The second act of the show heats up and just gets funnier and funnier with the recreation of the Nativity bringing down the house. The image of Orfe as the Baby Jesus has to be seen to be believed. Yet it is all in good taste and judging by the audience reaction they felt that too.
It is a long time since I have seen an audience laugh as loud and as long as this.
Another standout moment was the RSC presentation of the Nutcracker. Ballet was never this hilarious!
What really brings the show together is the chemistry between Faulkner, Sullivan and Orfe. Natural, quick, confident but engaging in a way that you felt part of their club.
The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) is a delight that will keep you smiling for days and a great way to get you in the true holiday spirit.
It was a joy to behold and most definitely brought glad tidings to this packed house.
The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) performances run through Dec. 23 at The Lyceum Stage, San Diego REPertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza in San Diego. Tickets start at $33 and are available through the San Diego REP box office, 619-544-1000 or online at sdrep.org. Four hours of free parking at Horton Plaza is available for patrons who validate at the Lyceum Theatre.
