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| L - R Rob Elk and Pat O'Brien - Photo Ed Krieger |
I’ve got a list of things to do or see for the
holidays. Let’s see It’s a Wonderful Life, A
Christmas Carol (Alastair Sims), The
Homecoming, A Charlie Brown Christmas,
and the new one on the list is Bob’s
Holiday Christmas Party.
Boy howdy is this fun!
L.A.’s smashed hit is back!
Bob’s Holiday Office Party written by Joe Keyes & Rob Elk and
directed by Craig Anton is playing at the Pico Playhouse Theater in Los Angeles
and is now in it 19th season in a very short run through December
21, 2014.
I love it when a packed house laughs in unison. And there is
so much laughter, it’s no wonder this holiday show is in its nineteenth season! I saw it last year and I think it’s funnier
this year under the magnificent direction of Craig Anton.
And like It’s a
Wonderful Life I can hear the sound of prayers: “Somebody please help Bob
Finhead (Rob Elk). He can’t make up his
mind.”
Bob must have left the decorations in his office up all year
because nothing has changed. The small still life town of Neuterberg lies peacefully now, with soft snowflakes on the
windows. The big bulbed lights warms the pine tree needles causing the dripping of small disgusting bits of sap onto the old record player. And, inanimately, the record player begs for someone to make up their mind and drop the needle on some Christmas
music from a scratching, popping, vinyl 45 or a 78 rpm. Yes, nothing has changed in
Neuterberg.
Bob Elk is outstanding in his insurance office but one look
and we know that he wants out. He has bigger dreams. He wants out so badly he can taste it, smell
it, drink it, and deep-fry it. Time in his life for becoming an inventor, going
to college, and saving mankind is running out.
He’s wasted nineteen years, playing it safe selling insurance, and all
he’s got to show for it is this darn Christmas party.
Oh, but what a Christmas party.
Sheriff Joe (Joe Keyes) is the first to join the
festivities. He’s out of uniform,
because of an unexpected expulsion incident, which cause him to change into
what looks like a car mechanic’s outfit. But, other than that, and because of the snow,
it’s a slow day for law enforcement.
“One of these days, I will make money on one of my inventions.” – Bob
If Bob could only fix the door to the bathroom life would be
a lot easier. Joe has to move the door and sit on the pot, full view, and not a
pretty sight. Not even bothering to find the handle, Joe walks away from the excessively
filled toilet and over to tub of ice to wash his hands.
Bob tells Joe that he might be going to inventing college. He claps his hands, flushing the toilet, which is another invention, the crapper
clapper, for which he proudly beams.
“Change is not good.” – Joe
Joe says he’s been hearing voices lately about Margie
(Andrea Hutchman) meeting Bob in the backroom of the store, unbeknownst to her
gay husband Roy Mincer (David Bauman). Another slight dig before Joe leaves to
have a drink before the party.
Speaking of the devil Roy, wearing white and looking a lot
like Roy Rogers, drops by with a small token, flitters about and says he must
attend to his male house guest but will be back later.
Wearing on Bob is the idea that he is still in the insurance
business, that his life will not get any better, and that his dream of being an
inventor is slowly dying. Suddenly, a
stranger, perhaps a savior, enters his door.
It is Elwin Bewee (Nelson Ascencio) a successful businessman, television
actor, and former humiliated stuttering classmate arrives in town to buy the
insurance company. Bob is chomping at the bit.
The arrival of the Johnson twins in elf like costumes makes
the party official. LaDonna (Maile Flanagan), and LaVoris (Johanna
McKay), two George W. Bush lovers, take
parting shots at Obama and call him a “Muslimnist”. The two express their dying
devotion to Sarah Palin and Ted Cruz and blame Obama for “taking away our
freedoms”. But the thing they take keen interest in is Bob’s relationship.
“How’s Margie? How’s her husband, Roy? Huh? Huh? Huh?” – LaDonna/LaVoris
It seems that everyone knows Bob and Margie’s not so well
kept secret.
Margie joins them a short time later, face red as a beet,
and looking like she’s been an observer on a nuclear test range.
Trouble comes through the door as wacked out, drugged out,
beer-ed out Marty (Mark Fite) has just had another automobile accident in his
van. This makes the 16th time, more than
half were not his fault, including the one time he was asleep at the wheel.
Carol (Sirena Irwin) joins the party fresh from a mental
institution with lyrics that cause the party to halt immediately. She doesn’t know where she is and her tight
lips “pop” continuously before she is relieved of her partying duties.
Brandy (Sirena Irwin), a sex-crazed woman joins them late
much to the enjoyment of Sheriff Joe.
I liked last year’s party but I liked this year’s party even
more. From a practical standpoint Craig Anton’s direction flowed and made
a lot more sense. Everything worked and I had a great time.
Nelson Ascencio
as Elwin Bewee does a nice turn. His character was specific and his objective
perfectly clear. Bewee has left the town and become rich. But, the town has not left him.
David Bauman is
Roy Mincer and is marvelous in his process.
Rob Elk as Bob
Finhead does another fine job. Finhead is a progressive clear thinker who takes
everything in stride. And it would be safe to say that everything in the party
office is fair game. Elk is also the co-author of this wonderful play that has
changed from last year’s version and I would suppose the play changes every
year. I mean who heard of Barak Obama in
1995?
Mark Fite is
Marty. I didn’t see him last year but I
think his version of the character makes a lot more sense, is a lot funnier,
and in the context of the play serves a greater purpose. It is a great performance.
Maile Flanagan is
LaDonna and is a wonderful performer. Do
not miss this performance!
Andrea Hutchman
is Margie and does a marvelous job. Hutchman is an actress that could fit many
roles. Margie is a social climber and
stops at nothing to get what she wants, when she wants it, including sex. (Except
with her husband.)
Sirena Irwin is
Carol and Brandy and is marvelous in each role.
Irwin is a physical actress that is extremely funny and this is also
another performance not to miss.
Joe Keyes is the
other Co-author and Sheriff Joe. Keyes is terrific as Sheriff Joe and does some
wonderfully amazing physical actions on stage. Keyes is wonderful in the role.
Other members of the cast are Dawn Brodey (Margie), Cody
Chappel (Marty), Pat O Brien
(Elwin Bewee), Ann Randolph (Carol/Brandy),
and Pat Towne (Roy Mincer) who did
not perform the night I was there.
Amanda Knehans
did a very nice job as the Set Designer.
Paige Stanley was the
Lighting Designer. And Marissa Drammissi was the Production
Stage Manager.
Other member of the production staff are as follows:
Kriss Meier – Assistant Stage Manager
Plays411 - Publicity
Fred and David at Ultra Creative – Graphics
Sam McCay – Web Design
Jeff Fontelera – Program Graphic Design
Eddie G. – Show and Pre-Show Music
Rob Elk – Santa’s Breaking In
Rudy Casoni – S’no Balls
Run! Run! Run! And take someone who can get you tickets!
Reservations:
1-800-838-3006
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