By Jody Tuso-Key – Managing Editor

Dunwoody – There is a gem of a theater located in Dunwoody called Stagedoor Theater. Connected to the Dunwoody Library, this charming community theater has been in the area since 1973. This theater may be located way off Broadway, but they offer great content that rivals any small Broadway stage. The theater reminds me of The Theater Center located in NYC between 49th and 48th street and 8th St and Broadway. It’s an intimate space and perfect for immersive experiences where the audience becomes part of the action. 

I had the pleasure of attending their holiday offering, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some) for opening night. This show runs until December 22nd, and is a rip-roaring 90 minute odyssey mash-up of our favorite Christmas stories. This is a fast-paced show with only 3 performers, and their compilation of Christmas sketches is reminiscent of SNL at its finest. It is rip-roaringly hilarious and probably the funniest show you will see this Christmas Season.

The show opens with a reading of Charles Dickens’s beloved classic A Christmas Carol. One actor is very committed to performing this iconic piece, but the other two would rather perform every Christmas story ever told as well as Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times all the way up to pop-culture, and a cheerful mashup of Christmas Carols to close the show.  Sprinkle in a little colorful audience participation and you have a recipe for zany Christmas fun!!

I’m somewhat ashamed to say this is my first Stage Door production, but it definitely won’t be the last one I attend. I’m excited to have found another Metro ATL theater that delivers quality entertainment. As Cory Phelps, director of this light-hearted play states in his program note, “We recognize the holidays bring up a lot of emotions for people as we navigate life and the many complexities of being a human. I hope this next hour and a half is a chance to laugh, be in community with one another, and relish the joy of the holiday spirit (whatever that looks like for you).”

We never know what another person’s holidays look like, and not everyone can find a reason to ‘be of good cheer’. This Christmas for me personally looks very different from Christmases of my past, where I celebrated with my estranged husband and three children. I’m going through a divorce from a 33 year marriage and this has put a strain on my family, even though my children are grown and flown. I’ll be spending time with my mother in Park City, UTAH next week, so I’ll get to enjoy a white holiday season, and I have two loving sisters here in Georgia to celebrate Christmas together a few days before. For Christmas Eve and Day this year, I’ll be flying solo with my trusty new companion, a Great Dane/Jack Russel mix named Ace. While it gives me a slight bit of anxiety, I’m also looking forward to attending Mass and spending the day in quiet reflection, and maybe even UBER driving folks to and from their Christmas destinations. I can attest to Cory’s hope and say this production is a definite comic relief from the hustle and bustle of the season.

First: Cory’s direction of this production is pure comedic genius, but a director’s job is not complete without a stellar team. Bendetto Robinson, Travis Ronis, and Mace Gallagher have assembled a versatile set. It’s part late-night television set combined with a myriad of other Christmas story settings. Lindsay Sharpless (lighting design) and Donovan Lewis (sound design) had the complicated yet fun task of enhancing the performance with their artistic signatures. Sydni Stephenson (costume design) tackled the daunting task of creating costumes for a fast-paced show that would evoke the proper feel of each story with exceptional expertise. Amber Nikki Brown (prop designer) and Stef Cerny (Scenic Charge) had their work cut out for them with the multitude of props and scene changes. My favorite is probably the ‘extra female cast member’ a rude life size dummy whose mannerisms and stage presence are so clever. She should be considered for an award when Suzi Bass season rolls around. Finally, let’s not forget the unsung hero Caroline Cook (stage manager) who is the person that runs around in a frenzy to make sure everything comes together, and has the daunting task of managing every technical cue in the show. Especially in this show, she has to catch curve balls as actors call up audience members and improv throughout the show. This was a show where I truly felt the tech as characters as the actors alluded to the folks in the booth several times throughout the show. 

Next: Key KUDOS and a Brilliant BRAVO to the three performers and one swing performer in this preposterous production. Each character isn’t exactly a character as they are known by their actual names on stage.

Tyshawn Goodwin opens this show with an over-the-top intro to A Christmas Carol. His straight and narrow performance is interrupted by Chase Summer, the principal comic relief who is sick to death (see what I did there?) of playing Marley. Rachel Frawley stumbles into the fray when she appears dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present. She is game and wants to join Chase in a new Christmas endeavor, and delivers some of the best audience participation improv lines of the evening. While I didn’t see swing performer Kyusok Lee, he has the enormous task of knowing every part in this show, which is heavy on clever, witty, and fast-paced dialogue.

I’ve seen Tyshawn in action at Shakespeare Tavern several times, and really enjoyed him in this role. As a straight man (think Harvey Korman or Dan Akroyd) he’s an expert at not breaking character and staying true to his mission of performing a serious holiday favorite.

Rachel is not only a great improv actress, she wears so many hats; director, author, composer, mental health practitioner, puppeteer, and stage combat expert. We’re glad she took time out form her busy schedule to co-star in this frolic.

Chase Summer is an actor to watch out for in the future. His comedic timing is impeccable and I really enjoyed his ‘up for anything’ and ‘happy go lucky’ nature.

While it’s difficult to play a character, it’s even harder to do stand up and reveal your authentic self, and I really think these three put elements of their own personalities into the show.

My final assessment of this silly show is that if you want to have your holiday humorous bone tickled, go see this show as soon as possible. The show runs until December 22nd and you can get tickets at https://stagedoortheatrega.org/ . Also remember, season passes make a great holiday gift!!

Thanks for your readership and happy holidays!! May peace, love, and light be with you.