Theatre Review: 'The Littlest Christmas Tree' by Pantochino

Milford CT

09 December, 2021

7:54 AM

Description

MILFORD - Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc. has opened it's new holiday musical, "The Littlest Christmas Tree at the MAC, Milford Arts Council on Railroad Avenue in Downtown Milford. The family-friendly production runs through December 19. "The Littlest Christmas Tree" is a fun-filled musical about an elf named Rolio who has been given the responsibility of finding a Christmas tree for the man with the bag. No pressure, right? As he searches the North Pole for the perfect tree, the elf finds a fantastical collection of trees who come to life, sing and dance, all in hopes of being chosen for the top spot. The story is sweet and easy to follow for even the youngest elves. Justin Rugg as Blue Spruce The whimsical show is written by the talented team of Bert Bernardi, who wrote both the book and lyrics, and Justin Rugg, who wrote all of the music. "The Littlest Christmas Tree" is their first original musical since 2019. Bernardi and his team are so excited to be back with this exciting, funny and heartwarming new show, hoping to bring families back to the theatre for this show that is the perfect holiday treat for all ages. Bernardi is an actor, director and playwright of over two hundred original musicals. Co-producer/designer Jimmy Johansmeyer was tasked with creating costumes for actors that would portray the various varieties of Christmas trees. Not content to make sandwich board cutouts for his castmates, the gifted costumer designed more than a few ensembles that captured the spirit of each type of tree, each more beautiful in their own way. Wigs of various hues of green topped off each variety of tree, from blue spruce, to Scotch pine, and even a trio of shiny aluminum artificial trees. No spoilers as to which costume transforms onstage. I never tire of waiting to see each of Johansmeyer's stellar creations and this collection was no exception. The cast is composed of many regular company members. Mary Mannix of Wallingford plays the elf Kiffle and others. Mannix was Jaycee Rae in "The Waffle House Five" and Dorothy in "The Wicked Witch of the West." as well as Brandy in the world premiere of "Just Desserts" at Branford's Legacy Theatre. Eighth grader Rowan Simonelli (at left) with composer Justin Rugg Johansmeyer is the tall elf Panzarotti, as well as Noble Fir in a princely costume reminiscent of King Henry the Eighth and Norway Spruce. A graduate of Marist College, he most recently created the role of Zack in the new musical "Just Desserts." He is an award-winning actor, costume designer and educator, currently teaching costume design at the Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts in Hartford. Maria Berte ("The Waffle House Five," "Glitz") is the bossy Mrs. Croquembouche and the always wonderful Shelley Marsh Poggio portrays the elf Kiffle, Ponderosa Pine, and 1st Artificial Tree. Shelley just completed an exhilarating season opener playing Magenta in "The Rocky Horror Show." She has been performing with Pantochino since its inception. Composer Rugg shines as Choux and Blue Spruce. Originally from New Jersey, he attended Lebanon Valley College for musical composition and percussion performance. In addition to his many on stage appearances, he is also the company's resident composer and musical director Valerie Solli of Milford plays Vatrushka with a fun accent and Hazel Foley is Chin Chin and the all-important Little Tree. Foley believes that "the best Christmas present is a Pantochino holiday extravaganza" and she is excited to be part of this annual winter wonderland of talent. Hazel Foley Eighth grader Rowan Simonelli, who most recently portrayed so well the title role in Pantochino Teen Theatre's "The SpongeBob Musical," is the elf Rolio. Eighth grade student Sierra DiMartino is the elf Charlotte Streusel who is sent to spy on Rolio. A devoted fan since she was four, Sierra has performed in many of Pantochino's Theatre Camp and Teen productions, including most recently "The SpongeBob Musical." Someone named George Spelvin has a cameo as the big guy himself at the end of the second act and he looked a lot like the director. "The Littlest Christmas Tree" features settings by Von Del Mar, lighting by David Sexton. Don Poggio built the wooden trees in the set and they were certainly the only thing wooden about the production. Thank you to Pantochino for providing the usual single sheet printed program with a QR code to the cast bios, as well as a handy link to them for when you get home to type your review...oh, sorry, that only applies to me. The show is performed with one ten-minute intermission, but is the perfect length for young patrons. If you want to celebrate "Christmas at the North Pole,"grab a snack or an entire meal and head to the MAC with your family for an upcoming performance. "The Littlest Christmas Tree" opens Friday December 3 at 7:30 pm with additional performances Saturdays at 2 pm and 5:30 pm and Sundays at 2pm through December 19th. The MAC, Milford Arts Council, is located at 40 Railroad Avenue South in Downtown Milford. Free parking is available at showtimes in all train depot lots. All seats are $25.00. Cabaret seating at all performances. Audiences are invited to bring their own food and drink. Please note, all attending must wear masks covering mouth and nose throughout the production. Visit www.pantochino.com for full details and tickets. After the special event of Victoria's Sautee's "It's Beginning to Look Like Cocktails" in December, Pantochino will produce "Checking in on Charles," a new musical about Milford's Charles Island opening in late April of next year, followed by "As Long As We're Talking" in June, a new musical sponsored by the Milford Prevention Council. Photo credit to Meghan Cromier Photography Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.