A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol

By Conrad Angel Corral (11-22-2006)

It’s time to cozy on up to the bar, “oh sure, you betcha,” as the Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre present another installment of their fun and cheesy holiday productions featuring “singin’ and stuff”.

Happy-go-lucky Carla (Annie Heller) and grumpy hubby Gunner (Phil Olson – actor, and Book & Lyrics) are reluctantly cordial owners of ‘The Bunyan Bar’ in Minnesota, a large neighborhood establishment featuring a kitchen ready to serve anything cheese related, with beer on tap, and a mysterious voice-activated karaoke machine that comes to life just when a musical number is needed.

Unfortunately, the karaoke machine is a thorn in Gunner’s side as it was a gift from Carla’s former singer-boyfriend Sven Yorgensen (Doug Engalia), a Jackie Chan-ish character who ultimately takes “the humbug” Gunner on a journey through Christmas past, present and future. Warming a seat at the bar is Gunner’s loyal sidekick Kanute (Mark Atha), who has romance in his eyes when former girlfriend, budding singing star and past Bunyan waitress, Bernice (the excellent Emily Trempe), returns to town. Ah, there’s nothing like Christmas in Minnesota “you betcha”.

Director Sean Mulcahy and writer Olson have brought together a quirky and enjoyable cast of misfits who fit comfortably into Olson’s Fargo-ish” characters. Filled with authentic accents and delivering numerous Minnesota one-liners, the cast joyfully moves the story along at a reserved yet steady pace. Paul Olson’s numerous musical numbers (The Christmas Cheese Polka, What Would Barbara Streisand Do?, I’m so Hosed, I’d Rather Be Naugthy – to name a few) are both fun and funny and quickly become the highlight of the production. Annie Heller is terrific as the happy-go-lucky wife always looking on the brighter side of life, while Doug Engalia’s Vegas lounge singer Jackie Chan is amateurish, but satisfying nonetheless. Mark Atha plays his sidekick with an open heart, especially when wooing the terrific (and vocally excellent) Emily Trempe. In fact, Trempe lights up the stage with her every appearance, delivering comedy with expertise (don’t miss her scene stealing character “Tiny”) and terrific vocals. While Olson is creator of the production, it is his grumpy character that weights heavily on the production.

Chris Winfield fills the huge Lonny Chapman stage with cozy holiday cheer, a welcoming atmosphere, strategic entrances and exits, and bottles of beer that line the wall. Lighting by Phil Olson and Sean Mulcahy enable the various areas of the set to come to life when needed. Unfortunately, the karaoke machine (the main focus of the production) seems to have been given the least amount of prop attention as it looks nothing like a karaoke machine and the volume level is too low. Stan Mazin’s dance numbers are simple, but the cast knows how to deliver each and every one presented.

At the heart of A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol is “singin’ and stuff” and you won’t go wrong by stopping in at ‘The Bunyan Bar’ for some pre-holiday cheer.

Lonny Chapman Group Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd.
N. Hollywood

Reservations: (818) 700- 4878

Run: Oct. 13, 2006 thru January 27, 2007