THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412160531
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Problems abound at the North Pole. Santa has gone over his MasterCard limit, the weather is too warm, Rudolph has been deernapped.
If all that sounds like something expressly for the kiddies - correct. But, ``A Gumshoe Christmas'' also offers a fair amount of adult-appealing humor to keep mom and dad out of yawn city.
There are, however, some yawn-inducing sections. The Albemarle Community Theatre production, at Angler's Cove Saturday and Sunday, would benefit from some judicious slicing. It is a bit long, a bit talky on occasion.
Talk alternates with music. There is plenty of that - 22 songs, most of them familiar - ``Jingle Bells,'' ``Here Comes Santa Claus,'' ``Toyland,'' ``Frosty the Snowman,'' etc., etc.
The audience is invited to join in on many of them. Much of the play involves narration for the audience, most of it handled very charmingly by David Shaffer as Jason, one of Santa's chief helpers. He never takes himself seriously - has good audience rapport.
The play's highlight comes at the end when the playgoers are asked - ``Who do you think is the culprit?''
The choice of culprits are seated at a table onstage while the cast goes from table to table in the audience. Then, the question is - will the real deernapper - please stand up?
One of the nice things about the Albemarle Community presentations so far is the opportunity for youngsters to perform.
Some of the most pleasant moments in ``A Gumshoe Christmas'' occur when the elves show up - an engaging group of children including the fun-loving Em-Jay charmingly played by Leah Allen. Interesting is the well-done English accent by Celina Gray as Braderica.
All the children acquit themselves nicely.
Children and adults mix in the cast. Most outstanding is Celeste Gray, who does double duty. She is music director and also portrays the vampish Angelica. Things really perk up when she sashays onstage.
``A Gumshoe Christmas'' will not replace ``A Christmas Carol'' or ``Babes in Toyland'' but, 'tis the season to be jolly, and the play does add to the jollity. MEMO: THEATER REVIEW
Albemarle Community Theatre gives a dinner theater presentation, ``A
Gumshoe Christmas'' at Angler's Cove, Bethel, Saturday and Sunday.
Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m.
The play begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for students. There is no charge for
pre-schoolers.
For reservations, call 426-9295 or 426-7294.
This review is based on an earlier presentation at the Holiday Island
Clubhouse. by CNB