Written by orange• December 2, 2024• 1:42 am• Newport Beach, Newport Theatre Arts Center, Review, Theater, Uncategorized

Greetings @ Newport Theatre Arts Center – Review

Photo credit: Sarah Whitwell

Written by Zack Johnston

The Newport Theater Arts Center rings in the holiday season this year with Greetings!, a comedy by Tom Dudzick. The holidays are all about people coming together and all that goes with it.

It’s Christmas Eve, and Andy Gorski is finally coming home to introduce his devout Catholic family to his fiancée Randi, a Jewish atheist. As the topic inevitably arises, so do the personal tensions. That is until a completely unsuspecting occurrence throws the family for a loop and ultimately puts each character’s beliefs to the test.

Story:

The story primarily takes place in the Gorksi home where Andy’s mother Emily, his aunt Phyllis, and older brother Mickey are getting the house ready for family dinner. The sisters don’t always see eye-to-eye, but they do share the same religious convictions that are at odds with their new dinner guest. The fruitless debate over whose beliefs are correct ensues, all the while a more interesting surprise awaits the Gorski’s.

Originally premiering in 1990, Greetings! is a story with all those timeless themes of being home for the holidays—both good and bad. These kinds of tough conversations written decades ago remain just as relevant today, but despite the familiarity, this show also brings out a unique perspective on religion and identity.

Direction:

Directed by Jill Johnson, this production excels with its talented ensemble cast and an overall attention to detail, creating this dynamic story that will put audiences right into the holiday spirit.

Acting:

With her unyielding conviction, Mary Price Moore delivers a knock-out performance as the overly critical aunt who is never afraid to speak her mind. Moore commands the stage with a sharp wit and clear intention, and despite her character’s confrontational nature, she also shows Phyllis’s softer, compassionate side.

In contrast to Phyllis’ tenacity, Carissa Mace (Emily) perfectly balances her character’s nurturing attitude toward her sons with her nonstop sibling rivalry. Her excellent chemistry with her castmates adds to the humorous tensions brewing.

Together, the sisters look after Mickey, whose speech has always been limited to a few select words. In his portrayal, Sean Wellengard tactfully creates a well-rounded persona relying mostly on his ability to emote. He establishes clear connections despite the limited dialogue, and as the plot enters uncharted territory, Wellengard’s skill and ability to handle the unconventional character is on full display.

Adam Ferguson and Christine Alfano play Andy and Randi, the young New York couple reluctantly joining the holiday festivities with unwelcomed news. As each character navigates the awkwardness in their own way, both actors succeed in revealing emotional layers to those characters while never missing a beat throughout the show.

Overall:

This story relies on not just the skilled acting but also all the production details that build the world around the acting. With technical direction from Jim Huffman and lighting and sound from Joshua Serrano, all the subtle moments of stagecraft come across seamlessly. Huffman also provides the set design, which has every inch filled with personal details to illustrate the quaint suburban home.

All of this culminates in an exceptional production just in time for the holiday season, with a universally important message to carry throughout the year.

Greetings! runs through Dec. 8.