Chicago Theatre Review
Theater Wit’s Who’s Holiday! takes nostalgia out for some raunchy play.
“Remember little Cindy-Lou Who, who was not more than two? What became of that tot, after that Grinch and what-not?” The answer, in some rhyme, some song, and all rated R fun is… a lot.
Cindy-Lou Who, the adorable tot who helped save Christmas from the Grinch, is all grown up and living in a mobile home at the base of Mount Crumpit. Actress, singer and comedian Veronica Garza returns to reprise her title role for the fifth year in a row, and she brings a party:
Christmas Day is in our grasp.
Why the vodka? Glad you asked!
The tot from The Grinch has grown, you see.
She’s cursing and drinking. She’s super messy.
Her FIVE YEARS at Theater Wit have been nothing but trouble!
And this year, we fear
She’s gonna make it a DOUBLE!
Directed by Christopher Pazdernik and written by Matthew Lombardo, Who’s Holiday! is a smart, sassy and irreverent take on nostalgia in general. After all, in real life, there is never a hazy, joy filled “ever-after” there is just life, with all its inconveniences, hard knocks and unexpected blessings.
Cindy-Lou’s mobile home looks like the 70’s threw up Christmas, thanks to Jeff-Award Winning Angela Weber’s work, and Uriel Gomez’s hilarious, whimsical and delightfully tacky costumes bring it all home. Matthew R. Chase, sound and production manager, makes the sound feel natural and immersive in a small space. The life story of little Cindy-Lou Who is told with a sweet, playful and hilariously raunchy performance by Veronica Garza, who holds court like the queen she is. She speaks in a broad, midwestern accent, adding to the kitsch, because of course they speak in rhyming Midwestern English in Whoville.
First, she tells the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas from Cindy-Lou’s perspective, which grounds the show in a history that we are all familiar with, and adds a more lived-in feel to the events. Then, she continues with the story after the picture book ends, a journey that takes increasingly darker turns. She never goes long without a smile and joke, however, flirting with the audience and even bursting out into several musical numbers, including one rap. Garza’s voice is Broadway quality, and she embraces the music with irresistible enthusiasm.
Despite the silliness, the raunch, and the gloriously tacky décor, Garza still brings the evening home with a reminder of what really matters in life, emphasized with a sing along.
The Wit Theater concessions offers a full bar, several themed drinks and even a boozy hot chocolate. The show runs a breezy 65 minutes too, which leaves plenty of time for dinner and an early bedtime – perfect for all the adults who were once hopefully little tots themselves.
Recommended
Reviewed by Alina C. Hevia
Theater Wit is located at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
Schedule: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 p.m.; additional, 9:00pm shows on Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 6,13,19, 20, 26 & 27. Industry Night is Monday, December 1 at 7 p.m. Understudy performance featuring Jenna Schoppe is Saturday, December 6 at 9 p.m. Run time is 65 minutes, no intermission. For mature audiences only.
Tickets: General Admission $39-$65. Tickets for children 12 and under are $500. Purchase tickets at theaterwit.org or call the Theater Wit box office (773) 975-8150.
Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.
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