THE PLAY: This unique look at the holiday season intertwines several stories on Christmas Eve, 1864. They include the White House, newly-freed slaves and soldiers on both sides.

 

THE PRODUCTION: From the opening number, this play and the production are confusing and unfocused. The intertwining plots are populated with stock characters and the attempts at stylization often veer into overacting. Most surprisingly for a musical (with many uninspired arrangements), the cast is filled with predominately pedestrian voices, even the ensemble sounds weak. There are a few standout performances (area newcomers Kyma Lassiter, Rebecca Turner and Christopher Hartman) and Jesse Mattes was entertaining in the over-the-top gusto he brought to every role. Director Tawnya Pettiford-Wates has created some attractive stage pictures, but clearly has not gelled this into a moving or even competent creation. Eddie Slipek’s expansive set is attractively rustic, but Nathan Wunderlich’s lights often left entire groups in the dark.

 

THE POINT: This unfocused production is hampered by weak voices, unfocused direction and overacting.

 

(1.5 / 5)

 

At Firehouse Theatre thru 12/20