If you know me, you know I am really all in for Christmas trees: when I married into a Jewish family, it was in the prenup. Why I find this pagan symbol of the light of life continuing through the dark season so wholly resonant could be the subject of an entire book, but enough about me: when I saw that Griffin Theatre was mounting the world premiere of the musical adaptation of the 70’s TV special The House Without A Christmas Tree in the sparkling new Bramble Arts Loft, I headed to Andersonville to wallow in my emotions and connect with my favorite holiday symbol. This is a story where a Christmas tree is really important.
It is an odd little tale for right now: set in a fictional small Nebraska town (Clear River, population 1500) a now grown up brainiac Addie Mills recalls her childhood where her dad, grieving for her dead mom, mourns for 15 years, partially by forbidding a tree in the house which would remind him of Addie's first Christmas before her mom contracts pneumonia and dies. All the teen angst and incomprehension of a parent’s world are there. This is a coming of age tale, and there is a lovely relationship with her paternal grandmother who is, the town agrees, a character. But surrealistically, this is a view of 1946 with blinders on: I find it very strange now that no one in Clear River has returned from battle in Europe or Asia, and that for all the holiday preparations the shadow of the recent conflict is absent. Perhaps it is too far away from this insular town, and thus the musical has a lightness or simplicity to it. Problems are solvable. Endings can be happy. As in Hallmark television all of the conflicts will be resolved in heartwarming ways by the end, sending you out into the night with warmth in your heart like virtual hot cocoa. There is a lot of humor in the teens working their way through growing up, and serious issues are hinted at, but for the most part this is a musical that won’t trigger anyone and is a safe bet to take the whole family to (even if not everyone is on the same page politically)
Director Dorothy Milne helms a wonderful cast: Julia Limoncelli plays a believable 15 and her adult self in the form of Nicole Laurenzi feels smart and solid. Scott Danielson as the bear like dad who stuffs down his feelings completely transforms when he appears as store owner Mr. Brady. Darrelyn Marx as Grandma Mills is the beating heart of the show.
George Howe’s music and lyrics are great fun, and his musical direction has a delicate nature so the show does seem to be perceived through the mist of time.
Milne leads a strong production team: Lisa Revis’s choreography in the elongated playhouse was delightful, and Rachel Sypniewski’s period costume design was tv perfect.
The House Without a Christmas Tree is playing Thursdays through Sundays through December 29th in the Berry Theatre at the Bramble Art Loft at 5545 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s delightful Andersonville neighborhood. Plan an outing and go to https://griffintheatre.com/the-house-without-a-christmas-tree/ for tickets and more information.
Photos by Michael Brosilow
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