Review: A Hanukkah Carol, or Gelt Trip! The Musical, at Round House Theatre
So for something completely different from all those Nutcrackers and Hallelujahs this season, Round House presents a mash-up of Dickens, Fiddler on the Roof, and wised-up Millennial humor – and it’s hilarious.
Right away we know we’re in for amusement, when a line from Fiddler is quoted (to knowing chuckles from the audience). But wait! A real fiddler shows up! And, we’re off!
The plot echoes A Christmas Carol’s structure – we follow the heroine, the self-involved social influencer Chava Kanipshin, through the visitations of the three ghosts to ultimate redemption – but with Jewish and social media mashups. One ghost is a parody of Santa Claus, in a blue robe; one a Maccabee, complete with shofar; and one seems to be a mechanized Spirit of the Internet puppet. That last one may need some more work.
But don’t worry – if there are a few spots that could use a little more development, another song and/or dance number will be right along to keep our Spirits high. The cast puts their all into it; most play several parts and must be exhausted by the end of the night. The energy level is exhilarating. Two outstanding examples: a glittery drag turn by Kit Krull, and Katrina Michaels as the Dickensian Orphan.
Not that everybody will get all the jokes as they go flying by – most of the audience when I saw it tended toward Jewish boomers – but they came fast enough as not to matter. Still, it helped to have my daughter explain why she laughed at the “Big Dickens Energy” line (it’s an internet meme, Mom).
The Round House is getting right into the spirit of the holiday. The lobby is decorated with a blue and white paper chain above a station where the audience is invited to guess the number of miniature dreidels in a big glass container to win free tickets to the next production.
The Fourth Wall Bar & Café is featuring several specialty cocktails in honor of the production: the Golden Gelt Gimlet, the PegaSpritz (it’s blue), the Hanukkah Hot Toddy, and A Light in the Dark. We tried the last, made with allspice Drambuie, bourbon, lime juice, and simple syrup. It’s appropriately festive.
There’s also beef brisket on offer, served with a potato latke, dill sour cream, and apple sauce. Very Hanukkah.
And, hanging out near the dreidels, two audience members who had gotten right into the spirit. Turns out they had reason to kvell – they were the playwright’s parents!
A Hanukkah Carol, or Gelt Trip! The Musical, is at Round House Theatre through December 29.
Music by Aaron Kenny
Lyrics by Rob Berliner
Book by Harrison Bryan & Rob Berliner
Original Concept by Harrison Bryan
Directed and Choreographed by Marlo Hunter