“It’s a Stevie Wonderful Life” at the Carpenter Center

Despite having grown up to the sounds of the Carpenters, I had never had the opportunity to visit the performing arts center bearing their name. That all changed last night when I went with friends to a one-night-only performance of the Troubadour Theatre Company’s Christmas classic, “It’s a Stevie Wonderful Life”.

When you learn that the other shows of the “Troubies” have names like “Santa Claus is Coming To Mo-Town” and “A Charlie James Brown Christmas”, you start to realize that these aren’t your ordinary holiday shows.  In fact, last night’s show was a rendition of the classic tale full of non-stop gags, dancing, and of course Steve Wonder tunes.  I wondered for a moment how these two disparate classics might blend together.  But like the chocolate and peanut butter of a Reese’s, they went great together.  From holiday favorites to Shakespeare classics (“As U2 Like It”, anyone?), the Troubies have a solid record of pulling it off.

There were no rules for the performance – our angel Clarence apparently hailed from East LA.  George (“Jorge”) Bailey was played by several different actors, and his afro grew to a next by the end of the show; by the finale, his fro pick was as big as a guitar.  Mr. Gower was played by a woman, and little Tommy was a bearded “kid” who delivered an amazingly overacted soliloquy.  The troupe made really effective use of a simple set, and of a live wireless video camera to capture some great scenes.  And man are they quick – the White House party crashers and Tiger Woods were even part of the show.  I couldn’t stop moving throughout the show – how could you, with songs like “You Are The Sunshine of My Life”, “Boogie On, Reggae Woman” and the finale, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”?  In fact, I wonderful how I’ll now perceive the original movie when I watch it – coincidentally, I’ll be seeing it on the big screen tomorrow.  Somehow, I suspect I’ll never quite see it in the same way again…

The aforementioned Carpenter Center was a great place for this performance.  While pretty large at almost 1100 seats, it retained an intimate feel, and we had close interaction with the performers. And it’s so close by that I’ll have to pay better attention to what shows are held there.

I’m glad that my first exposure to the Troubie’s won’t be my last this season – I’m already looking forward to “Frosty the Snow Manilow” at their regular home in January.  Could it be magic?

Tags: play, theatre