It may not be quite every show, but Allentowns Civic Theaters chaotic comedy romp "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)" mashes a lot of the classics together in a joyful and hilarious lightning round of theater.
Cheryl Moritz, Syd Stauffer and Pat Kelly pull out all the stops as they portray dozens of characters a from a wide variety of holiday traditions, through Dec. 18 at Theatre514, 514 N. 19th St., Allentown.
It starts out with nominal straight man Kelly intoning in perfect Dickensian style the all-too-familiar phrase that starts off "A Christmas Carol" - "Marley was dead." And it seems for a moment it might continue in that serious vein, until a frustrated Moritz, dragging Marley-esque chains pops on stage to complain "A Christmas Carol" has been done too many times and she wants to do something different. Satuffer joins her to convince the determined Kelly, and soon the trio is polling the audience for their ideas on the Christmas stories they would like to see. With that the show is off on its wild and irreverent ride.
With a huge nod to Christmass secure place in pop culture, the actors launch into the story of "Gustav the green-nosed rein-goat," explaining that the name had to be changed because Montgomery Ward holds all the rights to Rudolph.
Drawing from the beloved 1964 Rankin/Bass television special, Mortiz is memorable as the rejected "Gustav" while Kelly is humorous as a spot-on Hermey, the dentistry-inspired elf. Stauffer adds to the fun as a hilariously grumpy Charlie in the Box, the sentry of the Land of Misfit Toys, as well as a goofy Yukon Cornelius.
The three actors change roles at the drop of a hat as they give the audience twisted takes on the familiar Christmas stories that are funny, creative and unexpected.
Nothing is sacred, with Kelly and Stauffer as commentators for a Macys Parade gone awry with Kelly yelling "Oh the humanity" and Stauffer getting increasingly inebriated.
Kelly, who seems to draw all the sourpuss cards, also plays Dr. Seusss the Grinch while the pixie-ish Moritz plays Cindy Lou Who questions the Grinch with hilariously exaggerated innocence when she catches him stealing the tree.
Stauffer is lot of fun as the cheeky host of a fruitcake dating game which brings an audience member up on stage to answer absurd questions, and Mortiz is a quirky Frosty the snowman who meets a comical untimely end.
The actors also take some entertaining jabs at international traditions including Icelands Julakottir, or giant Yule cat who eats those who dont have new clothes for Christmas.
The second act gives Kelly the chance to finally present "A Christmas Carol," while mashing it up with "Its a Wonderful Life."
Kelly is entertaining as Scrooge/George Bailey while Stauffer is eamusingly earnest as Clarence the guardian , and Moritz portrays both Zuzu and Teeny Tiny Tim simultaneously after providing some creative improv as the wheelchair-bound villain Mr. Potter.
All three worked well together and off of each other, and were crisply directed by Will Morris.
The set was simple relying mainly on props, while a video screen backdrop added some amusing pop culture references.
The show is rated PG13 for strong language and some mature themes.
Performances are 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 16 and 17; and 3 p.m. Dec. 18.
Tickets are $32 to $34.
For information, call 610-433-8903, or go to civictheatre.com