Ah, the holidays. That time of year when heavy snow is not the sign of the apocalypse and it becomes socially acceptable to convert front yards into light shows. For many, it’s the best time of year, full of love, togetherness, and joy. However, there are those of us who, for whatever reason, hate this time of year. My excuse is that I have held retails jobs over the past ten holiday seasons and the joy that people exude with their loved ones does not carry over into my line of work. And this sentiment is one of the many feelings parodied in Wreck The Halls, now playing at TheatreWorks New Milford.
Wreck the Halls is not your typical Christmas offering. Most Christmas shows resemble a Hallmark movie. A character – usually mid-twenties to mid-thirties, blonde, and career-driven, or older, female, devastated over the loss of her husband – returns home to their small town reluctantly and then throws away everything they know and what have worked for when they “unexpectedly” find the love of their life, filling the viewer with joy and hope for the future. If you are looking for that kind of holiday fare, Wreck the Halls is not for you. However, if you’re up for a good laugh and some choice adult humor, then it’s worth checking out.
Wreck the Halls is a musical review comprised of original songs written and directed by Bradford Blake. It has had two previous incarnations at the Ridgefield Theatre Barn and is now playing at Theatreworks New Milford. Upon entering, the audience is treated to a set that seems innocent enough. The arch is decorated with candy cane stripes, and snowflakes adorn the back of the set. Even as the cast begins their opening number, everything points to a normal holiday show….and then it all changes. Every number is the show is adult in nature. No aspect of the holiday season is safe from mockery as it evokes feelings that an audience who view productions of Avenue Q or Spamalot experience.
If you enjoy the warm and fuzzy feeling a sappy holiday film can give you, Wreck the Halls may not be for you. But if you’re a jaded and sarcastic Grinch like me or you enjoy raunchy humor, this show is right up your alley and may even help you enjoy this time of year, even if only for a moment. Just keep an eye on the eggnog, you never know what may be in it.
The production runs Fridays and Saturdays from through Saturday December 28th, 2019. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays, and at 2:00 p.m. on TWO Sunday matinees, December 15th and 22nd. There will be an additional performance on Thursday December 26 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $30 for reserved seating. Students and Military personnel and Veterans with ID will be admitted for $25.00.
On Thursday December 12th at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night where you name the price of your ticket. Doors open on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservations can be made online at www.theatreworks.us or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.