Review by Kate Neeley, Front Row Reviewers
Pickleville On Tour is loading up their sleigh and bringing the perfect package of laughs and love with Juanito Bandito & the Shootout at Jungle Junction. Writer and director TJ Davis brings back everyone’s favorite ‘stached bandit, and he’s loaded his plate full with jokes that will keep you randomly busting a gut for days after the show. It will hit stages in Logan, Salt Lake City, Roy and Idaho Falls, so saddle up and gallop down to your nearest theater because this bundle of joy is one you won’t want to miss.
The small town playhouse charm and the professional quality makes this production the ultimate in holiday entertainment. The middle-of-nowhere town of Jingle Junction is about to become somewhere because word is out that the notorious outlaw Juanito Bandito (TJ Davis) is on a criminal mission to steal Santa’s nice and naughty list and tamper with it. Shocking, right!? So naturally, this has drawn the attention of the beautiful English journalist Amelia Everlight (Chrissy Andreasen), who travels a long way to obtain information on this most heinous deed.
Along the way, Amelia, being as attractive and witty as she is, catches the eye of the determined and ridiculous, larger-than-life-but-skinnier-than-a-weed cowboy Rudolph Van Grizz (Kyle Cottam). With a social compass pointing anywhere but the proper direction, this fringe-wearing goofball is sure to amaze you with his antics. With eyebrows bushy enough to quash his Napoleon complex, this character has the perfect brand of over-the-top cringe that’ll make your best dad jokes run and hide in shame.
No bad guy is anything if he doesn’t have his sidekicks, and Juanito Bandito’s mustache is luckily not his only one. He’s flanked by the funny and fantastic Tilly Mcgee (Kenzie Kremin) and Tommy Mcgee (Jayden Barrera). Complete with Brooklyn/Jersey accents, these two are kinda like a nimble ‘Harry and Marv’ from the beloved Christmas Classic Home Alone. With comedy just oozing out of them, these two lovable villain-assistants seem like escaped Newsies who stumbled upon Jingle Junction on their way to Santa Fe and decided to stay when they found the right ‘Boss’ in Juanito Bandito.
Much to the chagrin of Rudolph Van Grizz, there’s not only one cowboy in Jingle Junction who falls for the graceful and confident Amelia Everlight. Out-rizzed by the dashing Jake Lawson (Garrett Stephenson), it is pretty much love at first sight for Amelia. A whirlwind romance ensues and before they can tie the knot, the tumbleweeds of uncertainty enter the scene. Is Jake really as wonderful as he appears? Hints at his past will make you start to wonder. And it may awaken the question of whether it’s transferable… once a naughty lister, always a naughty lister?
You won’t make it all the way through a Christmas play without some sighting of the icon of jolly, Santa himself (Cary Youmans/Tom Fullmer) so maybe he can drop a hint… you’ll have to see the show to find out!
Energetic dancing is one of the absolute highlights of Juanito Bandito & the Shootout at Jungle Junction. Choreographed by the incredibly talented Sharli King, it’s spunky and impressive and the cast nails the steps. But the steps and songs would be dryer than a saltine cracker without the live jingle-jangle of the piano, played expertly by Logan Kelley. But like Santa’s suit makes his jolly belly a lot cuter, the accompaniment underscores the stunning vocals of each cast member. These folks can SING… oh and RAP! You’ll have to hear it to believe it. Buckle up, your ears are in for a feast.
As entertaining and fun as the actors are, it wouldn’t be near as good without a team of skilled people behind-the-scenes. Some standouts among these elusive sources of high talent are costumer Erin Davis, Alexis Lilya as Stage Manager Jaycee Harris, Spot Ops Blake Oyler and David Janssen.
Trusty stage crew members Maddie Lalli and Jordan Miller bring the magic backstage. For this season, top notch lighting design is the only option and Paul Yates and David Janssen team up to ensure the stage and the story are all lit up. Sound designer and audio engineers Camille Chandler and Tim Jordan throw down some skills to make sure all the beautiful music and expertly written lines are heard. Have you seen the trailer? Noticed the zany and bright logo for the show? Bodie Brower is king with all the beautiful videography, photography, and web design to light up the joy of Pickleville this Christmas.
Juanito Bandito & the Shootout at Jungle Junction is better than a freshly carved roast beast on a festive holiday table! Don’t let the Grinch keep you from this world-class original funny, fancy, and friendly production this Christmas. You won’t be able to live, laugh, or love effectively without it.
Pickleville on Tour presents Juanito Bandito & the Shootout at Jungle Junction by TJ Davis
Salt Lake City
Friday & Saturday
November 29-30, 2024
Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Call 801-355-2787 to purchase tickets
Roy
Dec 6, 2024
Roy High School Auditorium, 2150 W 4800 S Roy, UT 84067
Visit picklevilleontour.com to purchase tickets
Idaho Falls
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Colonial Theater, 450 A St, Idaho Falls, ID
Ticket Prices Vary
Call 208-522-0471 to purchase tickets
Logan
Friday & Saturday, December 21–22, 2024, Monday, December 23, 2024
Ellen Eccles Theater, 43 S Main St, Logan, UT
Ticket Prices Vary
Call 435-752-0026 to purchase tickets
Juanito Bandito & the Shootout at Jungle Junction promo reel
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