Happy go lucky salesman Jack Polo (a lively and engaging performance by Anthony Carbone) has his Christmas festivities disrupted by the unruly intrusion of the Yattering (robustly played with rascally glee by Phil Fondacaro), a diminutive horned demon who's trying to claim Jack's soul to no avail.
Director David Odell, working from a clever script by Clive Barker, offers a nice evocation of the yuletide spirit, relates the enjoyable story at a snappy pace, maintains a likable lighthearted tone throughout, and further jazzes things up with an amusing sense of amiable off-the-wall humor (the Yattering makes both a turkey and a Christmas tree come to destructive life!). The adorable Danielle Brisebois lends sturdy support as Jack's sweet daughter Amanda while Thomas Newman attacks his juicy role as Beelzebub with deliciously growly gusto. Best of all, there's a spot-on uplifting central message about the enduring strength of having a constantly optimistic outlook on life. An extremely fun show.
Director David Odell, working from a clever script by Clive Barker, offers a nice evocation of the yuletide spirit, relates the enjoyable story at a snappy pace, maintains a likable lighthearted tone throughout, and further jazzes things up with an amusing sense of amiable off-the-wall humor (the Yattering makes both a turkey and a Christmas tree come to destructive life!). The adorable Danielle Brisebois lends sturdy support as Jack's sweet daughter Amanda while Thomas Newman attacks his juicy role as Beelzebub with deliciously growly gusto. Best of all, there's a spot-on uplifting central message about the enduring strength of having a constantly optimistic outlook on life. An extremely fun show.