There is something about being in a place where you should fit in but feeling like you don’t belong.
That’s what’s going on for Ginger (Ali DeRegt) the elf in Lunchbox Theatre’s production of All I Want for Christmas by Rebecca Northan. She’s in a new job in the mailroom at the North Pole, because her sister, Nog (Kristy Benz), pulled some strings to get her the position last minute. It’s a simple job. Answer the phone and connect people on the switchboard, and sort the mail. Also, ignore the red phone on the table that is an emergency line direct to Santa.
Ginger does a pretty good job at pretending that she’s into her new job. She is grateful to her sister. Then Marg (Jamie Konchak) shows up and throws a wrench in Ginger’s façade. It takes a lot of energy to pretend and Ginger winds up confessing her truth to Marg.
Northan’s script is funny and light but borders on being too light. It has physical comedy and humorous aspects, but both Ginger and Nog are flat. Nog is neurotic and perfect, almost to the point of being satirical and Ginger is the total opposite, clumsy and uninspired by her job. It’s clear from the very beginning that she doesn’t fit in with all the other elves and doesn’t want to work at the North Pole. The sisters also lack any kind of chemistry, that it’s impossible to believe that they have a sibling connection at all. The play might get away with it’s central characters being one note, because Marg is quite a dynamic character by contrast. She’s impulsive and almost destructive but her motivation has depth. It’s a bit of shame that the narrative doesn’t dive into her motivation more because it’s way more interesting.
DeRegt is the artist who portrays a lot of the physical comedy in the play, and does so a bit awkwardly. She misses comedic timing and her lines seemed rushed. But when she comes to the dialogue with Marg, confessing her truth, this is when her acting is stronger. It’s like she connects with that section of the play more than with the beginning. Benz’s Nog is the perfect elf, dutiful and loyal to Santa Clause, and Benz embodies that attitude. Konchak has the most interesting role in Marg and also gets to fight with Benz on stage. She brings out Marg’s craziness but also her humanity.
Jennifer Lee Arsenault’s set design situates the play in the north pole, with a chute for the letters, an intricate switchboard and presents lining all parts of the stage. Her lighting design is festive and helps to highlight some of the tension in the play. Jordan Wieben’s costume design is simple but fitting for each character.
Whenever Ginger feels ‘elf magic,’ Alixandra Cowman’s sound design and composition fills in the magical aspect.
All I want for Christmas is a go lucky story. Everything is tied up with a bow, and the conflict and tension is not that deep. If you’re looking for something lighter in theatre, what Lunchbox Theatre is serving up is a good bet.
Lunchbox Theatre’s All I want for Christmas runs until December 19th in the Vertigo Studio. More information is available online.
Photo Credit: Ben Laird Arts and Photography