BRAD GODA / HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH
Cynthia See, Alvin Chan and BullDog star in Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "Christmas Talk Story."
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Talk about good fun!
The traditional finale to Honolulu Theatre for Youth's annual "Christmas Talk Story" -- a sing-along to "The Twelve Days of Christmas," local style -- is a high point this year, as well.
'Christmas Talk Story'
Presented by Honolulu Theatre for Youth:
On stage: 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 23
Place: Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral
Tickets: $16; $8 ages 18 and under
Call: 839-9885
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Cast members BullDog, Alvin Chan and Cynthia See hold up the familiar drawings of the various items -- pigs, shrimp, missionaries -- and the younger kids in the audience scream with laughter when Chan "accidentally" displays one of the pictures upside-down.
But although the finale is the same, the 2006 edition is significantly different from those of a few years ago -- and a best bet for families who can make time to see it between now and Dec. 23. It's lighter, less didactic.
HTY Artistic Director Eric Johnson has increased audience input elsewhere in the show, and in doing so makes each performance a personalized experience.
BullDog, Chan and See go out into the audience before the show starts and collect information -- names, favorite Christmas presents -- and continue the process later by asking for suggestions from the stage. The kids' eager responses are then plugged into a re-telling of "The Night Before Christmas" that will never be the same twice.
The "public" version of "CTS" performed at Tenney Theatre on Saturdays has been cut from a two-act show down to the same fast-moving one-act production seen by school audiences during the week. Johnson has sharpened the focus, as well. There are no stories this year about Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, or the fun kids can have playing with a rubber slipper in mid-summer -- all topics covered in years past.
And, where past emphasis was on monologues, Johnson features his talented cast in units of two and three -- BullDog and Chan as a pair of brothers who get into a pillow fight in "Waiting for Santa," for example, and Chan and See as local-style Christmas trees waiting for buyers in "The Perfect Tree."
See stars in "The Christmas Cookie," a touching tale of a young girl who has second thoughts about the snack she lovingly prepared for Santa.
"Bad Wrap" reminds kids that doing your best when wrapping a present can count for more than neatness, and "Memories Tied with a Bow" offers consolation for kids whose families are unable to afford gifts at all -- let alone fancy wrapping paper, ribbons and bows.
"CTS 2006" also delivers an earnest, albeit sugar-coated, public service announcement when Sandy Claws, a large talking crab in Santa garb, visits two kids with a sack of "presents" that includes the junk they left behind when they went to the beach.
Chan joins HTY veterans BullDog and See as the newest member of an engaging and multitalented ensemble. A minimalist but effective set, clever costumes and an assortment of props add to the visual impact of this colorful and entertaining seasonal show.