Hobnob’s Christmas noir musical brings laughs, holiday cheer
Hobnob Theatre’s annual homegrown Christmas show has become a local holiday tradition, as familiar as the Spirit of Christmas parade.
Starting in 2012 with their inaugural production of “A Christmas Carol,” the company has since transitioned to creating original works.
The theater’s recipe is simple and satisfying — mix a classic story with topical references, add slapstick, some song and dance, and stir vigorously to delight the audience.
Hobnob’s noir-parody show, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Christmas Noir,” runs at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater from Friday to Sunday, Dec. 20 to 22.
Creating a musical from scratch is no easy feat, but Deanna Sparrow, who wrote the book and lyrics, and Ken Smith, who composed the music, rise to the challenge with a “hey, let’s put on a show” verve. The show is polished but not fussy — family entertainment full of wordplay and jokes that please both adults and children alike.
Justin Anderson plays Mac O’Brien, a hard-boiled police officer who owes a childhood debt to Nicky Claus, portrayed by Greg Crawford. Anderson’s deadpan performance is a highlight as O’Brien navigates a chaotic Christmas Eve to solve the mystery and help Claus deliver presents. Anderson’s strong singing voice shines in the jazzy lounge number “The Night Before Christmas,” and his comic timing is perfect. And, when going undercover, Anderson’s bewigged and bespectacled elf is a dead ringer for the lead singer of a forgotten 1994 indie band.
Crawford is a perfect Nicky Claus, beard and all, but he’s far from a jolly old elf. In his song “She’s Got Her Claus in Me,” he laments that his wife, Carmen Claus, played by Laura Crago, has left him and that he’s experiencing theft at the workshop. Crago, who also choreographed the show, plays the femme fatale with flair. She commands attention as she struts across the stage in a red satin dress, delivering her sultry vocals in “I’ve Got My Claus in You.”
Sam Thinnes, who plays Berg, the yeti owner of the Snow Shack bar, is fully committed to the bit. As Berg, Thinnes skulks and shambles across the stage with a goofy voice and undoubtedly the best yeti costume to ever grace a regional stage. Thinnes even manages to sing “The Life of an Elf (Reprise)” in his goofy yeti voice, showcasing his talent and willingness to throw vanity aside for the role of a lovelorn bartender who also happens to be an abominable snowman.
The object of his affection, Irene the elf, portrayed by Sarah Dailey, plays the noir good-girl trope to perfection. With a heart of gold and pointed ears, Irene provides a counterpoint to Crago’s Carmen Claus. In her duet with Thinnes, “Gotta Getta Yeti,” Dailey fills the theater with her gutsy, moving voice.
Luke Frederick plays the villain, Quigley, an elf who is running a crime syndicate out of Santa’s warehouse, while also seducing Carmen Claus. His over-the-top evilness provides lots of laughs as he reveals his evil plans in the song “Model Train to Tinseltown.”
The 17 talented young actors portraying the elves swarm the stage during kicklines with chaotic energy, especially in the song “The Life of an Elf,” where the elves reveal themselves to be more Bowery Boys than Sugar Plum Fairies.
The show makes great use of sound effects and simple yet convincing sets, including some humorous over-sized props. The live band, featuring Jessica Sanzotti, Ken Smith and Karen O'Donnell, provides a charming, whimsical soundtrack while also adding humor with various musical stings.
There’s more than enough in “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” to delight everyone in the audience. As the show nears its end with the big ensemble number, “Arctic Love,” audiences will be thoroughly entertained by this lovingly created, laugh-out-loud funny holiday gift from Hobnob Theatre Company.
“’Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Musical Noir” plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Succop Theater. Tickets are $15 or $18 and are available at hobnobtheatre.com. The show runs for 65 minutes, with no intermission.
