All I Want for Christmas is a delightful, at times ribald, comedy full of crazy chaos and a jolly serving of holiday joy. The setting is the North Pole in one of Santa’s many mailrooms. It’s December 23rd and all available elves are needed to meet that crucial deadline of Christmas Eve. Ginger (Amelia Sargisson) is an eager but loose-lipped elf who was fired from three departments. Her elder sibling, Nog (Gabe Maharjan), sends her to work in one of the mailrooms to receive and process letters to Santa. And operate the switchboard. And manage gifts to Santa. Nog, a by-the-books fussy manager, assures Ginger that “elf magic” will help her. With tradition and the family history of elf excellence as guideposts, Ginger embraces her new job with gusto. While checking the gifts to Santa, Ginger makes the shocking discovery of a human stowaway, Marge (Mariah Inger). Marge, a lonely heart determined to meet her “soulmate” Santa, mailed herself to the North Pole. Ginger frantically tries to fix this unique situation by herself so she won’t get Nog in trouble. The result is hilarious and rambunctious action as everything explodes. But the Spirit of the holiday brings compassion and understanding for each character. Nog has to adapt to change and release some control over how things were always done. Marge proves to be an unexpected ally as Ginger confesses that she doesn’t want to be an elf. She likes math, instead. And in return, Ginger helps Marge to find her greater purpose as well.
The cast is wonderful with great performances. They bring great energy, comic timing, and candy-cane sweetness to an entertaining story.
The production design is terrific with the depth and height giving a sense of the massive production at Santa’s Shop. There are also clever exits and entrances reminding the audience that this is a magical location with magical creatures. It is a very fun-looking set.
We don’t always get what we want in life. If we don’t speak up or make a bold move, nothing changes. Sometimes wishes come true by declaring them out loud or perhaps by sending a special letter to Santa Claus.
Ages 12 and up
Photo Credit: Andrée Lanthier
All I Want for Christmas. Written and directed by Rebecca Northan. Show continues to December 5, at the Centaur Theatre, 453 St-François-Xavier, Old Montreal. For tickets call the box office at 514-288-3161 or go to www.centaurtheatre.com For COVID protocols, please click here https://centaurtheatre.com/2021/08/27/covid-protocols/
