Curtains Up Theater Review … with Camille Bounds: Limelight Theater’s ‘Nice Family Christmas’ offers laughter and tears

Seven local residents perform in a holiday show full of comedy and pathos

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Mandel, South Valley Civic Theatre
Marilyn Pifer as “Grandma” (left) and Jo Anna Evans as “Mom” perform in “A Nice Family Christmas” performing at the Limelight Theater.

By Camille Bounds

Camille Bounds

Limelight Theater’s holiday play “A Nice Family Christmas” brings the South Valley a show that is full of laughs along with sentimental moments that will remind audiences our relationship with our family members is enhanced when we love each other despite our flaws.

Playing until Dec. 18 at the Gilroy Center for the Arts, the dramedy features an ensemble cast of seven family members. They put the “fun” in dysfunctional as they learn life lessons while dealing with the challenges of a hilariously unpleasant Yuletide gathering. I found the actors in this bright, fresh production breathe a hilarious reality into a very personal, almost real-life plot for each character. Every actor is on stage for almost the entire production, and everyone delivers a fine caliber  performance.

Written by Phil Olson, Allie Bailey directs the play, with Robin Bezanson as managing director. The story takes place one Christmas Eve when a newspaper reporter must write a last-chance story about a typical family Christmas or else get fired. He chooses his own family made up of his widowed mother, his crazy uncle, his eccentric grandmother, and his battling siblings and their neurotic spouses.

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Mandel, South Valley Civic Theatre

The cast includes Justin Kerekes as “Carl,” Joanna Evans as “Mom,” Marilyn Pifer as “Grandma,” Jery Rosas as “Michael,” Karyn Morton as “Stacy,” Peter Mandel as “Uncle Bob,” and Caitlin Jachimowicz as “Jill.” The show is set in Mom’s condo in Minnesota.

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Mandel, South Valley Civic Theatre

In directing the play, Bailey has created a tremendously endearing chemistry as the various family members face the challenges of a gathering with a mixture of quirkiness and tenderness. She keeps a complicated, humorous plot moving swiftly.

A Morgan Hill resident, Pifer steals the show as the curmudgeonly “Grandma.” She hits her character with a realism that makes the other family members reach for the truth in themselves. Pifer brings a “tough love” tone to the play as she cuts through the niceties of family gatherings and hits other members of the family with painful reality. She has made this role hers.

Peter Mandel as the confused alcoholic “Uncle Bob” shares a poignant, dramatic moment describing his life that comes across with  heart-wrenching honesty.

Jo Anna Evans as “Mom” serves as the glue of the story, connecting all the characters together with her love and honesty

Justin Kerekes as “Carl” the journalist keeps all balanced as best he can by showing love for his family

Karyn Morton shares her private moments with reluctance and wonder with the family’s  acceptance.

Jery Rosas as the competitive brother “Michael,” frustrated by his complicated life, comes across with humor and diligence.

Caitlin Jachimowicz as “Jill,” Michael’s wife, does a well done and believable job.

“A Nice Family Christmas” gives South Valley a gift of an excellent production with a creme de la creme cast that can hold its own anywhere. We are fortunate to have such professional and dedicated  actors here.

If you enjoy wonderful theater, spend a fun night at Limelight’s “A  Nice Family Christmas.”