We all have our horror stories
about celebrating Thanksgiving with our crazy relatives, but this one takes the
cake. Ah, the rituals! The table setting, the family-heirloom tablecloth, the
browning of the turkey, the perfect gravy, who to invite, and who you hope
doesn’t show.
It’s all there in this amusing play by Kate Benson (winner of an
Obie Award) with maniacally precise performances by all the relatives and a
sweetly tragic view of the family misfit in action.
There are even two lively
sports announcers to keep us posted on the significant goings-on. But, don’t be
charmed into nostalgia, because there is method to Benson’s madness. This will
be the most memorable Thanksgiving for all concerned, and perhaps even for the
audience. 
Nicole Gabriella Scipione
manages to actually be emotionally moving as the often mocked family fool; Christopher
Neiman and Kjai Block are truly funny as the warring announcers; Judith Ann
Levitt and John MacKane are the oldsters who, in spite of handicaps, have their
say; Sarah Lilly, Tegan Ashton Cohan and Debbie Jaffe are the possessed sister hostesses,
while David Bickford and Rebecca Light fill in admirably as numerous other family
guests.
Light-hearted direction by
Laramie Dennis. The deliberately bleak
set is by Morgan Lindsey Price, with lighting by Karyn Lawrence, and costumes
by Jenny Foldenauer.
At
Theatre Of Note, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, through Dec 10. For tickets:
(323) 856-8611 or www.theatreofnote.com
Photos by Troy Blendell.
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