Christmas potpourri shaking rafters and bellies

The Theater Scene

with  Dafydd Young

A potpourri indeed at the Ancon Theatre Guild’s 60th anniversary performance on Friday (December 17)

From a candle bearing  Cantus Singers curtain raiser, Angels We Have Heard on High,to the vigorous Feliz Navidad finale The Christmas Porpourri was a pot filled with music, drama, historical insights and, above, all laughter.

Director Bruce Quinn setting of the eclectic tone with his droll recapitulations of the early history of the theatre, and his early introduction to the world of grease paint was followed by a repeat of the 1968 performance of I’m Herbert with Odetee Versailles (Muriel) and Aquilino Arias (Herbert).
The audience was justifiably rocking in the seats, with some of the older members giving the occasional sly dig or sideward glance at the other half as some of the comedy lines struck close to home.
The early era look back closed off with Adrian Linares, a rising star in the Quinn stable, giving a well received rendition Bali Hi from South Pacific.

Carlos Williams a long time Guild associate of Quinn was next up as a Master of Ceremony, and moved the program into the 1970’s and 1980’s with his own reminiscences and an introduction to The Odd Couple 

Female Version, which he directed. Roz Baitel (Olive) and Clarita Smith (Florence) played their contrasting roles to perfection, matched by the fractured English portrayals of Roberto Bruno (Manolo) and Francis Icaza (Jesus).

Between them, the quartet had  bellies and sides shaking  and audience  hilarity  raised the time weathered rafters of the auditorium. Maybe  the old beams had heard it before during the 1987 and 2001 performances, but surely the laughter had grown stronger.
From side splitting laughter, a quick change to a scene from Orphans with Francis Icaza (Treat) and Amit Nathani (Phillip)

 giving a remarkable and believable insight into the lives of the two benighted brothers. Its brevity left one asking for more. It was previously presented in 1988 and 2005. Maybe in another 17 years?

Juan Pablo Fabrega lifted us from the fight provoking drama with You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
The intermission gave the audience time to renew acquaintance with the patio behind-the-bar stalwarts and to mingle with friends and theatre lovers and sample the array of foods prepared by Don Pataconi. Even vegetarians were not forgotten.
Ron Leggiere another Guild veteran took over the MC role and wearing many hats played his part in a selection of vignettes with Algis Abrego, Pedro Caicedo, Jeanne-Maria Leggiere, Jair Munoz, Hanna Ordas and Sebastian Otway.

The well loved Improv crew finished off the acting presentations with fast moving skilful pieces directed by Danielle Scott and involving, Aquilino Arias, Ines Azpurua, 

Hilary Hughes, Karl King, Nicholas Miles and Armit Nathani.

Leo Wiznitzer gave a moving rendition of If I Were a Rich Man, and Billy Shyne gave a polished performance of Anything Goes.

Then all too soon the closing performance, with the audience beating time to the joyfully sung Feliz Navidad of the Cantus Singers, joined by the actors making their final appearances 

and the producer Gale Cellucci, who during the evening was here, there and everywhere and who, along with all the invisible workers behind the scenes, well deserved the applause from the packed auditorium {jathumbnail off}

If you are reading this before the 8 p.m. start of the last performance on Saturday, and haven’t seen the show, drop everything, hop into the car, and give yourself a treat. It will be a laugh filled introduction to Christmas. 

And while you are there, you can sign up as a member of the Guild and put the membership card in your Christmas stocking, you deserve it.

If you don't make it tonight you can attend the annual meeting in January at the Theatre.

If you think you have hidden acting talents, or want to contribute in other ways, you will be welcome. Lots to do in front of, or behind, the footlights.

Becoming a member  is a bargain, it gets you into all the performances during the year (the first is in February). Watch Newsroom for previews, updates and reviews of all the performances.