By Liz Christensen
Pickleville Playhouse’s Juanito Bandito’s Christmas Carol playing at The Grand Theatre is a flawless production. Beginning with Mr. Grimm’s (Nathan Kremin) hilarious pre-show announcements, and ending with the casts’ post-show request for the audience to donate to “Operation Underground Railroad,” a non-profit assisting in the rescue of human trafficking victims, Juanito Bandito’s Christmas Carol is a finely-tuned balance of comedy, drama, improv, and sincerity. The titular character has been appearing in Pickleville Playhouse’s original productions for years, but you don’t need to have seen any of his previous shows to delight in the well-polished gem of this production.
Created by T.J. Davis, who also plays Bandito, the story is the most original and fresh take on Charles Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol I’ve seen, while still delivering the heartwarming, holiday redemption story that has made this tale a tradition for so many. The comedy is topical without undermining the timeless feel of the show. The ease with which the script and actors navigate breaking the fourth wall, improvising their own comedy, and evolving the story is first-rate. The music is excellent and varied. Choreography by Sharli King is innovative and flashy. The set, by Perry Cartwright, is sumptuous with Christmas. Costumes by Erin Davis are excellent in keeping with a holiday look, in their individuality and as an ensemble, understated enough to belong to the characters instead of dominating them. Lighting Design by Tanner Funk and Josh Roberts is rich and dramatic. The program does not credit a music director, which is astounding because the phenomenal vocal talent on display by each individual member of the cast never faltered and when they sang together, the harmonies and blend were delicious. Masterful is the work of Luke Shepherd, who accompanies the entire show on the piano and helped with the creation of some of the songs. Additional musicians, Rachel Johnston on cello and Jennifer Ostermiller on violin, enhance and deepen the score. All three musicians are placed onstage, integrated in the set and are essential to the energy and impact of the performance.
The cast is profoundly talented. Davis as Bandito carries the show with a larger-than-life character who stays grounded in a relatable reality. His comedy is precise, his movements equally graceful, athletic and natural, his voice a joy. He is as believable and captivating in his dramatic moments as he is in his charming comedy. Katie Fay Francis as Alia, one of Santa’s most responsible elves, has a voice like a bell and is sweetness, loveliness, and grace all night long. Her sincerity in the softening moments of the show shines. Kremin’s Grimm delivers hilarious physical comedy and show-stopping dance moves. Jeremy Egan as Otto and Brittany Shamy as Astrid, two impish elves, have flawless comedic chemistry and timing. 
Shamy’s performance is ecstatic and every moment these two interact is captivating. Jordan Todd Brown as Young Bandito delivers a show-stoppingly manic performance that was my husband’s favorite segment of improvised comedy ever. It is a nonsensical stretch of hilarity that is perfectly calibrated. Kenzie Davis as Gratilda is a firecracker of energy with a voice as big as life and twice as certain.
The show is family friendly, but things get a little intense when Bandito, who brags of being the biggest bad ever, decides to deliver on that 
promise, and again later when a character’s ghost bemoans her fate. Even with those darker tones, bring as much of your family along as you can. Children loved putting on the complimentary Juanito Bandito moustaches handed out with the programs. Of note, two ASL interpreters were provided for our performance, and they were excellent at conveying the tone and keeping up with the fast-paced show. There is not a weak link among the cast; their performances are electric. The production values are high and effective. Each element of this show in isolation is excellent. The combined effect is astonishing. Juanito Bandito’s Christmas Carol is an exceptional production and I can’t wait to show it to my whole family.
Pickleville Playhouse presents Juanito Bandito’s Christmas Carol by T.J. Davis
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The Grand Theatre 1575 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
December 15,-16, 22-23 at 7:30 PM and December 16, 23 at 3:00 PM
Tickets: $18-28
Salt Lake City Grand Theatre Box Office (801) 957-3322
Juanito Bandito Christmas Carol Facebook Event
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