By Joel Applegate
As their name implies, it’s Salty Dinner Theater’s job to add a little extra flavoring to all their offerings. They don’t stint on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, now playing at various venues in Utah and Salt Lake Counties through December 21st (see below for schedule).
Though not an oxymoron, I eschew humility when I say that “Dinner Theater” is a violation of both. My bad, but I don’t think I can be fair about this. I’ve never seen a more bowdlerized version of this beloved tale.
But that doesn’t matter! What’s important is that you will be entertained by some very skilled actors and a beautiful singing voice or two, as I certainly was. Salty Dinner Theater’s purpose is to have fun, not to mimic the many other “Christmas Carols” reproducing like so many rabbits this time of year. Or to please academics like old stick-in-the-mud, yours truly.
From the beginning it’s evident that improv skills are very important. All the actors did a good job. I do not envy them having to do it while the audience eats. This is difficult work to pull off, and it is to their very great credit that these actors made it look easy. My hat is off to them.
Before dinner started, I was greeted very nicely by one of the play’s characters, Prunella (who, by the way, does not actually appear in the original), played by Salty Dinner Theater’s founder and owner, Mary Brassard. After sitting down, the other actors mingled with the crowd, chatting and introducing themselves in character, and even posing for pictures. It’s obvious that this cast and crew is intent on giving its customers a wonderful Christmas memory. From the reaction of the diners at The Old Spaghetti Factory on the sold-out Friday evening I saw it, they did just that.
While the show maintains the outlines and famous set-pieces of the original A Christmas Carol, it is heavily “embellished” with songs classic and modern, extra-Dickensian asides, plot alterations, deliberately bad jokes, topical references to pop music, audience sing-a longs and the utter destruction of the fourth wall protocol. The audience clapped and laughed in recognition several times.
In the first of many twists on this classic, Charles Dickens himself comes on board to narrate at the top of the show. Actually, this was one of the best choices the company made. It was a device that I thought worked very well and was most appropriate to the venue. Jakob Lau Smith Tice physically and skillfully fit his role very well, narrating in a mellifluous voice and most ably discharging a couple of minor characters.
The show starts with a carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. It was the first of several songs performed by Jamie Haderlie who plays Scrooge’s ex-fiance, Belle. Haderlie was also tasked with the honor of “Dinner Break Singer” between acts which were loosely defined by dinner courses. Her beautiful voice was a pleasure to listen to on this and several other Christmas tunes, and is reason enough to see this production – if, that is, you can get tickets. Most shows are sold out already.
Among other stand-outs in the cast was an actor who goes by just the moniker of “Madman”. His Marley’s ghost was excellent. Likewise, Scrooge was not drawn as just as an old grouch. As one of literature’s most famous misanthropes, Christopher B. Kucera showed range and intelligence as Scrooge transitions from blighted soul to enlightened member of his heretofore neglected family. Tony Porter as the Ghost of Christmas Past shares his great voice singing a beautiful Christmas tune. He is matched by Tiffany Stoddard who steps into the spotlight singing as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
There were many moments in this production, I have to admit, that struck me as odd: The entr’acte before the entree when Prunella (Mary Brassard) sings carols badly on purpose before being quashed by Haderlie, who mercifully takes over; Bob Cratchit panhandling the audience (played by a well-focused Tanner Haderlie, who was too little used); an utterly unselfconsciously shameless plug for Salty Dinner Theater’s next Valentine’s Day offering, “Bonnie and Clyde – A Love Story With Guns” (you’re welcome); a “Bah, Humbug” contest with conscripted members of the audience that got old a little fast. But hey! What do I know? For an audience out for holiday fun, these and many more moments like them only whetted the appetite.
I must compliment the costumes for this production, which were compiled by Mary Brassard and Tony Porter, who did a great job. Marley’s ghost weighted in his famous chains was especially good.
After engaging a clearly delighted audience for two hours, the cast concludes with an appropriate send-off, singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. We got to hobnob with the actors afterward and many in the crowd posed with the cast for more pictures.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that The Old Spaghetti Factory in Orem serves great food. And I enjoyed a treat I haven’t had for a very long time: Spumoni ice cream for dessert.
In the end, Salty Dinner Theater succeeds in its purpose – pure entertainment. I might fault the company on one thing: they did not provide programs with cast and crew credits. All that said and done, this purist in spite of himself left the restaurant satisfied, albeit with a salty taste in his mouth.
Salty Dinner Theater Ticket Info: (801) 262-5083 From $8.00 – Check with the theater for type of ticket and meal options.
Arrive between 7:00-7:20 PM
- You’ll choose one of three fantastic menu options*
Effective ingredients: Booster capsules can stop erectile dysfunction problem naturally mainly due to its effective ingredients turns you sexually fine and provides ability to develop harder erections for exciting sexual activity. canadian levitra Adding an erection inducing pill is as effective as the branded drug. levitra price Precautions : Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your buy cialis medical history, especially of: heart problems (such as chest pain/angina, heart failure), stroke in the previous 6 months, kidney infection (dialysis), liver sickness, high or low circulatory strain, an extreme loss of body water (lack of hydration), penis conditions, (for example, angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie’s illness), history of frightful/delayed erection (priapism), conditions that may build. On the other hand, Damiana must by no means be provided to birds. viagra samples online deeprootsmag.org
- Our characters will introduce themselves and mingle with the crowd
- The show starts at 7:30
- Dinner will be served throughout the performance
*The price of admission does not include dinner.
The Old Spaghetti Factory – Orem – Shows Dec 14, 17 and 20 – Dinner is $15
University Mall (southside) 575 East University Pkwy Orem, UT 84097 (801) 224-6199 Madeline’s Steakhouse – Sandy – Shows Dec 19 and 22 [Both Sold Out] – Price unavailable.10290 South State Street
Sandy, UT 84070
(801) 446-6639
Joe Morley’s BBQ – Midvale – Show Dec 13, 15 and 21 [All Sold Out] – $16.00 Per Person (includes tax, gratuity and dessert) $14.00 for kids 3-11
100 West 7720 South
Midvale, UT 84047
0 Comments