“Love Actually?” reviewed by Julia W. Rath

Recommended ***  In the leadup to Christmas, here’s a sweet, sentimental, adult comedy that’s fun to watch. “Love, Actually?” is a 85-minute British-themed “unauthorized musical parody”, written by Bob and Tobly McSmith and produced by Right Angle Entertainment. Adults of all ages will be able to connect with the frenetic sketches and lampoons that are part and parcel of the show: a unique combination of vaudeville, anachronism, and cultural mismatch. Those in the baby-boom generation should get the most out of the spoofs, especially all the references to celebrities (e.g., Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, etc.), who were featured in the 2003 movie of the same name. Among the team of performers who push their own props across the stage, one favorite is Christopher Wayland, who does a bang-up job as Snape from the “Harry Potter” series. Ann Delaney, who plays Emma Thompson (among others), even looks like the actress in her younger years! Other brilliant performers include Jake Elkins, Ryan Foreman, Dan Plehal, and Amanda Walker. As this well-timed, versatile team channels famous and not-so-famous people, the audience can see life’s many incongruities and happenstances where the origins of love can be in the making—or not.

We witness the cast playing many different roles through a series of cleverly-drawn and layered skits that initially don’t seem as if they have much to do with each other. We see actors rotate from one character to the next, with some characters making return appearances while others give cameo performances. While the serendipitous conjunction of short stories makes the script seem choppy and unfocused, that becomes a ruse. Rather as the show progresses, we see the interweaving of distinct threads into a much stronger one, which ties everything together with a bow. In fact, the smooth way which in all these characters coincide and collide is the work of director Tim Drucker and choreographer Brooke Engen. Speaking of things wrapped up in a bow, the Christmas-themed scenic background features a giant gift box with colored lights that change as the scenes shift. Within the box are two ubiquitous red telephone booths and two red doors with wreaths on them: all as a means of ingress and egress for the actors. This relatively simple but adaptable set is Joshua Warner’s design; while the complementary lighting design, using colors and effects appropriate to the season, is the bailiwick of Brandon Baruch. Creative costuming (such as the silly octopus outfit) by Dustin Cross adds to the show’s humor. What is especially delightful, however, is the wig design by Conor Donnelly. The wigs are outlandish and whimsical; seeing them is a real treat.

What connects the show at first glance are the multitudes of relationships, most of which have some basis in love, sexual attraction, romance, or lust. Then there is a series of lampoons against the rich and famous, having little or nothing to do with the underlying theme. For example, there are barbs against politicians such as former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and former vice-president Dan Quayle (who didn’t know how to spell “potato”). Note that the parody also features a slight updating of the script, such as a nod to Brexit. Even Queen Elizabeth makes a brief appearance. Finally, what brings the whole production together is the upbeat music and orchestrations, thanks to Basil Winterbottom, with Ethan Andersen serving as the music director. That said, it took the first fifteen minutes to get the sound mix just right, since the music was largely drowning out the singing voices. Then too, there was the occasional microphone that didn’t seem to pick up properly.

The story goes that that Queen Victoria had once uttered the famous quote “We are not amused” to an officer of the royal household who had told an off-color joke. But that was then—and this is now! You will be amused by this witty, sexually suggestive, and irreverent production. While it is not high art, the show is funny and entertaining, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. The chief point that it makes is that as we get closer to Christmas, we ought to more spend time nourishing love and being with the people we love. Hence, the musical can be best summed up in one line: “All I want for Christmas is YOU.”

“Love, Actually?” is playing at the Apollo Theater Chicago, 2550 N. Lincoln Avenue, through January 2, 2022.

For a complete performance schedule, please check the complete calendar (closely) at https://www.apollochicago.com/project/love-actually/.

Ticket prices vary depending on date, performance, seat location, and availability.
Please check the website or phone the box office for more details.

Go to: https://www.apollochicago.com/project/love-actually/ or call 773-935-6100.
In-person hours for the box office are:
Monday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

You may purchase tickets through the box office or online at www.ticketmaster.com or go to: https://www.ticketmaster.com/love-actually-the-unauthorized-musical-parody
Note that prices through Ticketmaster are higher than those offered by the box office.

For groups of 10 or more, call Group Theater Tix 312-423–6612.

For more information about “Love, Actually?” and other shows, visit:https://www.apollochicago.com

COVID-19 requirements at the Apollo Theater:

All patrons, ages 5 and older, must be fully vaccinated and will be required to provide proof of an FDA authorized and approved vaccination*. The performance date of your choice MUST be at least 14 days after receiving the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), or at least 14 days after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) to be considered “fully vaccinated.”

Proof of vaccination and photo IDs will be checked at the door. Please bring either the physical copy of your vaccination card or be prepared to show vaccination status with your smartphone.

The Apollo Theater will ONLY accept proof through the following smartphone apps:
MyChart App (Apple or Google)
Health App for iPhone
Any Health Organization app linked to/approved by MyChart.

If you are unsure if the Apollo Theater will accept your health organization’s app, reach out to boxoffice@apollochicago.com with the subject line “My Health Organization’s App” at least 12 hours prior to attending a show.

For more information about COVID protocols, see: https://www.apollochicago.com/protocols/.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Love Actually?”.