REVIEW
The Regifters
St. Albert Dinner Theatre
Nov. 10, 15 to 17 and 22 to 24
Kinsmen Banquet Hall
47 Riel Dr.
Tickets: Regular $60, Seniors $55 Call 780-222-0102 or online at wwwstalberttheatre.com
It seems a bit early to mount a Christmas play. However, St. Albert Dinner Theatre is right on the money with The Regifters, a comedy that leaves you reflecting on what is truly important about the upcoming holiday.
Although it touches the heartstrings, it’s never maudlin or heavy, largely due to zany characters that deliver a volley of laughs.
Basically the plot revolves around three dysfunctional couples that take turns receiving a Christmas Eve present and regifting it only to later find out it is priceless.
Loras and Bridget Henshaw are an affluent, but jaded couple. A self-centred man, Loras enjoys relaxing in a suit and tie reading the financial section. Feeling ignored, Bridget needles him with thinly veiled insults.
The couple receives a weirdly shaped gift from Germany. Not knowing what the thingamajig is, they repackage it and present it to Tom and Mary Mulligan.
Tom is a world-class cheapskate, and this causes a few sparring matches with Mary. Due to his Scrooge-like ways, the duo has deliberately regifted crappy presents for years just to annoy people.
Baffled by the puzzling present, they rewrap it for Jeff and Lauren Cunningham, two loving partners who cherish Christmas by decorating the house inside and outside.
But Lauren has a major thorn in her side. Mrs. Cunningham, Jeff’s mother, an overly critical, manipulative woman constantly finds fault with her. Jeff, unfortunately, is squeezed in the middle.
When the Henshaws discover the gift is priceless, their eyes light up with dollar signs. Their greed sets off a chain of events whereby all three couples try to con each other and reclaim the gift.
The thingamajig makes a final stop with Kurt and Katie Weiss, a playful young couple who barely make ends meet yet are full of contagious affection.
This is community theatre and the actors perform at different skill levels, yet director Christina Estillore has successfully polished the rough edges and created a fluid production.
Casting Rob Beeston as the skinflint Tom Mulligan was a stroke of genius. He has a knack for pushing boundaries without going overboard, and his flair for mugging adds an extra layer of buffoonery.
Christine Gold as Mary Mulligan is equally hilarious delivering her share of zingers yet coming across as slightly more balanced and compassionate.
Paul Huculak effectively uses his news anchor’s rounded vocals to embellish Lora's pompous and paranoid personality while Shelby Murray’s Bridget is perfectly stylish yet petulant and spoiled. (She collects Fabergé eggs).
Xera Preshing has created a strong character in Lauren Cunningham, a woman who refuses to be pushed around, and Tim Kubasek is appropriately the meek, mild guy trying to duck away from the women’s bickering.
And of course Joanne Poplett as Mrs. Cunningham is delightful as a religious fanatic with a glare so acidic it could almost kill.
And finally, Omer Aubin as Kurt Weiss and Maya Molly as Katie Weiss, the young couple untouched by cynicism are onstage for a couple of short scenes. However, they charm, delight and offer a message of hope.
There’s a lot of heart in The Regifters and coupled with a delicious buffet dinner, you can’t miss. It runs Nov. 10, 15 to 17 and 22 to 24 at Kinsmen Banquet Centre.
