Review: 'Christmas Eve at Earlene's Diner' at Seven Angels

Dedicated to the memory of the Maestro, Richard DeRosa

Waterbury, CT - She's back! The hilarious Earlene has some new adventures at the diner this year, just in time for Christmas. Michelle Gotay returns to Seven Angels Theatre for the fifth time as her delightful character Earlene Babcock along with a great local cast.

Artistic director Semina De Laurentis directed this show that she conceived and wrote and Foster Evans Reese served as both assistant director and choreographer. The fabulous pianist Nathaniel Baker was music director. Scott Cally did the lighting design and of course Matt Martin was in charge of the always excellent sound design.

When you attend this fun-filled show, you will discover the answers to some important questions, such as “Does anyone eat the fruitcake?” and “Does the Crispy Biscuit put The Diner out of business?” and (new this year) “Who's really in Earlene's family tree?”

There is a wide variety of winter holiday music, silly humor and a big heaping of fun woven throughout this holiday tale that is appropriate for the entire family. You can’t help but come away with plenty of Christmas spirit, and many of your favorite holiday songs will fill your hearts with cheer.

“May your season be spiced with just the right amount of magic. And remember…’if you laugh a little longer, you just might last a little longer.’’ - Earlene Babcock

Michelle Gotay is always at her comic best as her character Earlene Babcock. She may be noticeably more svelte in her turquoise uniform but her sassy personality is as big as ever. No matter how many times I hear her classic “Earlene” lines, or the song“12 Steps of Christmas,” they never get old. I maintain that there will never be such a thing as too much Earlene in this show.

This year the role of Sam was played by Charles DellaRocco with Brooke DellaRocco made her 7A debut playing Katie Winters. No one takes on the role of Santa better than the cherubic Timothy Cleary so I was glad to see that he was able to return play the mischievous Mr. Claus who ends up at the diner and after the show heads to the Santa chair in the beautifully decorated lobby.

Leah Juliett returned to the diner to play the television producer Suzy Devine who is working on Christmas Eve. This wonderfully talented performer, who was recently named College Woman of the Year by Glamour Magazine, was constantly “on” as the harried producer and Leah’s solo of “A Grown Up Christmas Wish” never fails to make me tear up. WAMS graduate Zani Scott (MEMPHIS, COLOR PURPLE) stepped easily into the role of Suzy’s assistant Carey Potter. Oh my goodness, did Ms. Scott perform a beautiful rendition of “Mary Did You Know?”

Robert Melendez was able to shine in the role of Mike and sang a solo of “O Holy Night.” Diane Delucia played Patty, Norma Jean Lombard was Maxine and WAMS paraprofessional Michelle Marchetti was….Linda. (Insert an Andrews Sisters joke there.) Nicole Thomas, a senior at Waterbury’s Career Academy, was Jesse in her tenth 7A production; she sang “Once Upon a December” perfectly.

Jeanine Gallmeyer was an absolute hoot as the school principal Sister Jeanine and Sharon Amundsen played Sister Francine.

TV commercial star Jeff Savage took on the role of Larry, John Fabiani played Moe (and the riotous Sr. Julia) and J. Brian Lally was...Brad (This was the Three Stooges joke.) Tom Chute came on at the last minute to play Johnny Chute and sing the beautiful Christmas song written by the late Richard DeRosa “Keeping Christmas.” It was especially touching to hear it this year since we recently lost the Maestro. WATR listeners can usually hear a recording of Mr. Chute singing this number during the Christmas season.

Joe Stofko returned to play the role of the psychiatrist Dr. Fred, who has a major costume change. Holiday cheerleaders included Pomperaug HS student Felicity Galarneau, Kelsey Guinipero, and Kylie Healey. Catholic school students included Geno Bascetta, Nicholas Bates, Lilyana Bodnar, Angie Emanuel (NUNCRACKERS,) Lily Emanuel, Ashley Greaney, Ian Kindt, Zoe Kindt (THE MUSIC MAN at BSCT,) seventh grader Elijah Loucks, Anthony Marchetti, third grade student Ella Perrotti, Hailey Stofko (SEUSSICAL,) and Bryce Zalewski. Colton Zawisza (Jojo in SEUSSICAL) was adorable as Gary Winters and fourth grade teacher Cheyenne Walent was (Aunt) Roseanne Winters.

The musicians in the pit included Mr. Baker on piano, Mark Ryan on drums and Dan Kraszweski on bass. All did a great job of keeping up with the singers, just as Richard DeRosa had done many times in that same pit.

Be on the lookout for Santa in our lobby after the show for holiday photos! Christmas Eve at Earlene's Diner runs December 7-19. Tickets are $37 for adults and $18 for those 18 years old and under. Bring more, save more! Get a four pack of tickets for only $99. (Use discount code: FOUR when purchasing.) Evening performances at 7:30 and Matinees at 2:00 PM. To purchase tickets call the box office at 203-757-4676, online at sevenangelstheatre.org, or at the box office at 1 Plank Road, Waterbury. Free Parking. Just off I-84. GPS directions use: Hamilton Park, Waterbury.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.