Review: ‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told’ at All American Melodrama Theater

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Audiences who seek free-form Yuletide frivolity should catch ‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told’ at the All American Melodrama Theater in Long Beach. In its goofy mix of high school assembly, theme park specialty and Kiwanis Club holiday party, this winking assault on virtually every secular seasonal classic since Charles Dickens is brashly enjoyable.

The venue, located in the Shoreline Village district, is equal parts vaudeville house and Shakey’s Pizza, with a concessions bar located behind the seating area. It seems perfect for an anniversary or birthday, and the alternating three-member cast and accompanist are certainly ready to party.
Scripted by Michael Carleton, Jim Fitzgerald and John Alvarez, the scenario is just clever enough to keep us off guard. It opens with a retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ halted by a plea that ‘It’s been done to death.’

That launches a running joke, one player persisting in trying to reboot ‘Carol,’ his colleagues repeatedly overriding him. Audience participation gives the trio ideas (and guest stars), as Dr. Seuss, Charles Schulz, Dylan Thomas and more collide. The handling of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is maybe the best sight gag, and the finale, which merges Dickens’ London and Frank Capra’s Bedford Falls, is a knee-slapping hoot.

At the reviewed performance, Ken Parks sailed through this fracas, switching between Ebenezer Scrooge and George Bailey on a shilling. Paul Villano made a lower-case feast of his various underlings and ingénues, and Rob Thurmond exuded a nervous wit that suggested Harold Ramis’ long-lost son. Throughout, pianist Rick Illes was invaluable, supplying atmosphere in styles that ran from Vince Guaraldi to John Williams.

If hardly miraculous, ‘Every Christmas Story’ is agreeably corny, high-spirited fun. Its goodwill and energy create an undemanding family-friendly diversion.

--David C. Nichols

‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told,’ The All American Melodrama Theater and Music Hall, 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Ste. E, Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. Ends Jan. 4. $18. (562) 495-5900. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.