Recommended *** Every so often, someone takes a stab at re-creating a holiday classic and sometimes it even works. Many of you grew up with The Who’s ( The Doctor Seuss Who’s, not the abbot & Costello Who’s—on first). But what ever happened to Cindy Lou Who? In Matthew Lombardo’s “Who’s Holiday” on stage now at Theater Wit ( stage 2), we get a glimpse as to her life and relationship with “The Grinch” who as you might recall stole Christmas.
This is a one woman show directed by Christopher Pazdernik, who uses the stage very nicely. The set (Angela Weber Miller) is a trailer park where Cindy Lou resides. Cindy Lou is played by Veronica Garza who is astute at capturing the audience and using them as part of the show. As she tells us the story of the years after The Grinch and how they had a child , she drinks and plays with us, the audience. In fact, she offers a drink and vittles. I was offered a “pig in a blanket” fresh from her oven. Being Jewish, I did not respond quite as she was expecting and a joke was made of it, which came up later as well. One should be careful. Many theater audience members may even keep kosher, which would make for a serious problem.
I think Ms Garza is an excellent performer who truly knows how to play the audience. In fact, I would have to say that she is much stronger than the actual play. She is playful, frisky and highly energetic. Watching this 65 minute production I am reminded of other little holiday shows that have been done on the stages of this building. I am juts not so sure that many suburban audience members will be willing to drive an hour plus to see a show that lasts for less than the drive. If you are going to head down to Theater Wit, might I suggest that you make the evening a full one by enjoying a dinner at Kubo , across the street, where the Filipino menu will excite and thrill you. It will also make the drive worthwhile.
“The Who’s Holiday” will continue through December 26th with performances:
Thu, Dec 9:7:00pm
Price: $20-$35
Show Type: Comedy
Box Office: 773-975-8150
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Who’s Holiday”.
Covid policies are strictly carried out at this theater.
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