If you’re ready for a laugh a minute interspersed with titters and chuckles, then SUGAR PLUM FAIRY is for you. This is a charming play which will delight the little ones, but at the same time will slyly amuse and entertain the adults lucky enough to share in this holiday spectacular. For spectacular it is! With a stage chock full of sparkling goodies – and, for that matter, an entire theater looking like a gingerbread castle – the enchantment that is this special time of year could easily overwhelm the faint of heart. And make the Scrooges among us hide their heads in shame.
An offbeat and creatively original holiday special that will gratify every holiday taste, SUGAR PLUM FAIRY is the brainchild of Sandra Tsing Loh, author and star of this Christmas trio. Loh is joined in her sugar plum ambitions by Tony Abatemarco and Shannon Holt, two very talented comedic souls who takeon every one of the many characters in the play.
SUGAR PLUM FAIRY is the story of a little girl whose junior high dream is to dance in the “Nutcracker” ballet. Winningly portrayed by Loh, however, this fanciful youngster must contend with the stresses and strains of living among peers who may represent a genuine threat to her hopes: other giggling little ladies who may actually have some dance talent – and maybe a fresh mouth too. Let’s not forget that a 12-year-old life is full of obstacles and opportunities, a steppingstone between childhood and those grown-up teen years.
The Sugar Plum Fairy trio make the stage hum with rollicking humor – and a tiny morsel of nostalgia – as Loh brings to uproarious life the fantasies and foibles of childhood on the brink. She cleverly reminds us that adults are just big children at heart and that memories of our own childhoods remain forever precious – and funny too. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo, SUGAR PLUM FAIRY explodes with holiday cheer. Everyone on the production team deserves very special kudos are creating a holiday universe literally pulsing with color and joi de vivre – and that includes Keith Mitchell’s set design, Jared A. Sayeg, lighting, John Ballinger’s sound, Angela Calin’s costumes and Guillermo Perez’ graphics, to name but a few. When you see the living, twinkling Christmas tree dance across the stage, you’ll surely smile.
By the way, did I mention that the audience gets a chance to join in? It would probably be a good idea to come with your funkiest holiday sweater (the one you couldn’t return because Aunt Mabel would have been devastated). Photo opportunities are everywhere. Let’s hope that SUGAR PLUM FAIRY becomes a holiday staple in Los Angeles.
SUGAR PLUM FAIRY runs through December 23, 2018, with performances at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and at 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The Skylight Theatre is located at 1816 ½ North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Tickets range from $15 to $43. For information and reservations, call 213-761-7061 or 866-811-4111 or go online.
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