Review by Liz Eichler
Cincinnati Shakespeare has done it again (and then some) with a holiday offering that’ll get you laughing and firmly in the spirit of cheer. Every Christmas Story Ever Told, by Michael Carlton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez, has delighted audiences at Cincy Shakes for 19 (!) years. They keep it fresh by varying the cast, the blocking, and some of the jokes. This year’s edition brings even more laughs, more innuendo, and a wink at our collective addiction to AI and cell phones.
Every Christmas Story?
The premise: a theatre troupe is supposed to perform A Christmas Carol, but one cast member finally asks the big question—why? Why this one, isn’t it overdone? What about all the other beloved holiday stories? So they ask the audience about their beloved childhood stories. Audience suggestions start flying: Rankin/Bass classics like Rudolph plus Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Chrsitmas, Pee-Wee’s Christmas, Die Hard, Christmas Vacation, and more. Candice Handy, the show’s anchor and most dedicated to A Christmas Carol, agrees to pivot… as long as they eventually get back to A Christmas Carol.
Friendly Faces in the Cast
This year’s cast of four has plenty of energy to share. They use every part of the stage, and the aisles, to really connect with the audience and engage us. We sing, give them a hand, and respond to questions. Handy’s transformation into the Grinch earns applause on its own. With a thrust of her chin, bent elbows, and wriggling fingers, she nails the Grinch—and a dozen other roles.
Cary Davenport brings high-octane energy to every character, with a standout turn as Schroeder in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Geoffrey Warren Barnes II is loaded with innuendo and is especially funny as Fred in A Christmas Carol.
Billy Chase charms as Santa (helpfully labeled on his red tracksuit), and introduces this year’s running theme: phone addiction. Together the cast riffs on how apps—and AI—are taking over our lives. Keep your ears open for Duolingo, Temu, OnlyFans, Alexa, Siri, TikTok, Grok, and more. The new AI section, in particular, is very clever. (Honestly, the marketing team could run a bingo game for the audiences to track app references.)
Amazing Production Team
The scenery (Justen N. Locke) swings from traditional into full Christmas excess, the lighting (Chris Holloway & Robert Carlton Stimmel) sparkles (with twinkling additions along the balcony rail), and the costumes (Rainy Edwards) are bright and cheery. A special shout-out to the admirable stage management team, who bravely wrangled the impish door curtain on the night I saw the show.
Directed by Jeremy Dubin, the show is silly, fast-paced, joyful, physical and a beloved kickoff to the holiday season. It’s full of puns, alliteration, and even a few eye-opening educational moments about global holiday traditions.However, those globe-trotting sections could slow down just a hair so audiences can catch all the new vocabulary.
Overall
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) is a sure bet for goofy, lighthearted holiday cheer and nostalgia. With tons of audience involvement, it pulls you into the season with a smile.
For tickets to Every Christmas Story Told (and Then Some) visit the Cincinnati Shakespeare online box office or give them a call at 513-381-2273. And get there early—Bob’s Bar is serving festive hot cocoa options and plenty of adult beverages.
