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Writing for Us
That Time of the Year
By Julia Furay
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Everyone likes to eat fruit Everyone likes to eat cake So why is putting them together such a horrible mistake? ---Three Fruitcakes |
That Time of the Year is as well-meaning and cheerful as a greeting card, and about as deep. If you’re already sick of holiday jokes or seasonal sentimentality, then the new musical revue at the York Theatre definitely isn’t the show for you. But if you just can’t get enough of Christmas or Hanukkah sentiments, then this series of songs will be as frothy and intoxicating to you as a spiked glass of eggnog.
The hardworking tribute to "the most wonderful time of the year" is the brainchild of lyricists Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman. It contains 26 brand new songs from the pair, who have collaborated with no less than seven different composers. They aim to please everyone, so Jewish, Christian and secular aspects of the season are all emphasized equally. The score, sung by a young and attractive five-person cast, focuses on every conceivable aspect of the holiday season. We therefore hear sung explorations ranging from Christmas lights to dreidls, from Jesus to Judah Macabee, and from latkes to fruitcake. None of the songs or topics overstay their welcome, thankfully and so just when we’re getting tired of "Veronica/Hanukkah" jokes, we move on to fruitcakes.
The variety and inventiveness of the songs keep most of That Time of the Year cute rather than cloying. It's at its best when Holzman and Needleman show off their wit, rather than sentimentality. This holds true for the seven composers, none of whom is distinguishable from the other. Since the songs are melodically generic, they become far more interesting when branching out into other styles such as calypso and country. For example, "Rock 'n' Roll Hanukkah" features two Hasidic Jews (Jonathan Rayson and Nick Verina) hilariously dancing to their own equivalent of "Jingle Bell Rock." "Country Christmas" is a funny number about a girl from Tennessee (Bridget Beirne) who plans to come out to Nashville for Christmas and "come out" to her parents as well.
The more serious numbers are a little less confident. This is partly due to the cast, a talented group of singers and comedians who don’t quite pull off the heavier moments. Take Jonathan Rayson, who is extremely funny in a number called "Angelo Rosenbaum" about an Italian Catholic Jew, but is less convincing as an aged Holocaust survivor in "Candles in the Window." which is more awkward than moving,. Perhaps casting at least one older performer would have helped. On the other hand, you couldn’t ask for three funnier fruitcakes than Beirne, Kerri Jill Garbis and Erin Maguire.
Annette Jolles' old-fashioned showbizzy staging highlights the comedy and clarity of the score. However, Jolles does little to bring weight to serious moments or counteract the sometimes treacly lyrics of songs like "Christmastime", a plea for holiday kindness and generosity, or "Underneath the Mistletoe", a heartfelt but generic holiday love duet.
You know what sort of show you'll be seeing as soon as you take in James Morgan's stage design: the entire stage is gift-wrapped with a giant bow above the set, and piles of ribboned presents in the center and on either side of the stage. If the wrappings and trimmings of this particular Christmas present are sometimes more attractive than what’s inside, at least it's still a very pretty picture to look at.
| THAT TIME OF THE YEAR Concept and Lyrics: Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman Music: Sanford Marc Cohen, Nicholas Levin, Donald Oliver, Kyle Rosen, Brad Ross, Mark Wherry, and Wendy Wilf Directed by Annette Jolles Cast: Bridget Beirne, Kerri Jill Garbis, Erin Maguire, Jonathan Rayson, Nick Verina Set Design: James Morgan Costume Design: Terese Wadden Lighting Design: Chris Robinson Running time: 2 hours, includes one intermission York Theatre, Theatre at St. Peters, 54th Street and Lexington Avenue, 212-935-5820; www.yorktheatre.org From 11/29/06 to 12/24/06; opening 12/7/06 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday @ 8pm, Saturday @ 2:30 and 8pm; Sun @ 2:30 and 7pm Tickets: $49, with student tickets for $20 available at the box office Reviewed by Julia Furay based on December 3rd performance. |
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Musical Numbers
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Act One
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Act Two
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Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
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