Berkshire on Stage

For those who haven’t been to TheaterWorks‘ innovative and super hilarious new holiday tradition (and why haven’t you?), Christmas on the Rocks, now in its 12th annual rendition, is wickedly funny adult humor, created and directed by Rob Ruggiero. He brought together a half dozen playwrights and sketch writers who each contributed a playlet. The premise: it’s Christmas Eve in an out-of-the-way rundown bar, and our favorite children from classic holiday movies have come back to town, as dysfunctional adults, and share their stories with a bartender. There’s Charlie Brown, Karen from Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy, Clara from The Nutcracker and more. And, all the characters in this brisk 90-minute comedy are played by three actors Harry Bouvy, Jen Cody and Richard Kline, all veterans of this holiday romp. Leave the kids home. This is holiday cheer for adults.

This is my 8th visit to TheaterWorks Hartford’s production, and I still find it silly and a delightful antidote to the cold winter weather and our nation’s chilly discord. I’ve nothing against the usual holiday fare, A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Messiah singalongs, Holiday Pops, etc, and I hit them up every year. But, I like to kick back, and let myself go, and Christmas on the Rocks satisfies year after year. 

For those who have been to Christmas on the Rocks before, this year’s edition has some twists and turns. There’s a new opening scene, I Made My Family Disappear, Matthew Wilkas’ funny take on MacAulay Culkin’s character in Home Alone. And, there are some funny references to Wicked and Three’s Company (of which Kline is an alum). And, Jen Cody, as the character Midge from the Barbie movie, does the standard curtain speech, i.e. notice the exits, turn off the devices, and thanking the sponsors, while bemoaning that her character has been cut from this season’s roster. A LMAO moment.  But, my two favorite segments continue to be Edwin Sanchez’s Still Nuts About You, in which the Nutcracker’s grown-up Clara, LOL-infused by Jen Cody, is a drunken woman scorned by her cheating Nutcracker Prince; and Jacques Lamarre’s poignant Merry Christmas Blockhead, in which Charlie Brown finds a connection. 

Christmas on the Rocks veterans Harry Bouvy (who plays the guys), Jen Cody (who plays the gals), and Richard Kline, who plays the Bartender grow better and more nuanced every year, as they romp about Michael Schweikardt’s charming set, well-lit by John Lasiter, with excellent sound by Michael Micelli. Alejo Vietti’s costumes are fun, and J. Jared Janas’ hair and wigs are marvelous. 

Christmas on the Rocks runs through December 22. In my holiday book, it’s definitely defying gravity. 

TheaterWorks Hartford presents Christmas on the Rocks, created by and directed by Rob Ruggiero. Plays by: Judy Gold,Jenn Harris, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lamarre, Edwin Sanchez, and Matthew Wilkas. Scenic design by Michael Schweikardt. Costume design by Alejo Vietti. Lighting design by John Lasiter. Sound design by Michael Micelli. 

Cast: Harry Bouvy, Jen Cody, and Richard Kline. Through December 22, TheaterWorks Hartford, Pearl Street, Hartford. For details: www.twhartford.org. 

Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and The Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide, and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat, On The Mark, and Survivor Stories  for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. He’s a regular contributor to Berkshire Onstage and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.