Review: 'Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some) by Phoenix Stage Company

Oakville, CT - Back by popular demand to Phoenix Stage Company (now at Clockwork) is ‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some.)’ It opened Friday night in the PSC’s new home in Oakville and was the second of three holiday shows I had booked for my Thanksgiving weekend. This hysterically funny show once again features the talents of Ed Bassett, Ian Diedrich and Rob Richnavsky, as well as the nimble changing skills of stage manager Lori Poulin, all under the direction of Tim Phillips. I had seen this piece of holiday magic three times when it was on the PSC stage in Naugatuck, so Saturday night marked my fourth viewing, but with some timely tweeks and this stellar cast, it never gets old.

It is always fun to watch these three guys hurdle their way through a long list of “B.H.C.’s” (Beloved Holiday Classics.) Because there are so many they need to cover, they have to move very quickly and the laughs never stop. From a theatrical standpoint, this show written by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez is exhausting work for the three actors, who all have a ton of lines, innumerable costume changes and very little down time. I admire the stamina they bring to their roles for the third time.

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During the intermission, Santa himself took a seat on the stage so that patrons could choose a prop and take a selfie with Santa. Everyone raved about the Hardcore Cakeballs available for purchase in the lobby, and the delicious treats even earned a sly mention in the show. At the Saturday performance, I spotted the fabulous Melissa Stango and her husband Chuck, Mr. Elser’s dad Michael (‘The Last Supper’) and his wife Sheila (who slayed it as Contestant #3) and my coworker Donna Garceau.

Keep in mind that this madcap romp through the holiday season contains some mild language and content and a discussion of the existence of you-know-who. ‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some)’ runs Fridays, Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm through Dec. 11. Click for tickets.

Photos courtesy of PSC