Imagine being stranded by a snowstorm in the middle of nowhere on Christmas Eve-Eve with no cellphone service, a gaggle of theatre kids, runaway shoplifters, a harried Community Center custodian, a steadfast sheriff and his inept deputy, a distressed couple preparing for their wedding, and a mysterious elf -- well, you get the picture of Prattville's Way Off Broadway Theatre production of Closed for the Holidays in a witty script by Cindy Marcus and Flip Kobler...and hilarity ensues.
There's a lot to pack into two acts over an hour-and-a-half; but director James Henry adeptly herds his 20+ ensemble actors through the plot machinations at a brisk pace. -- The cast includes a number of actors in their stage debuts [and several first-timers at WOBT], who for the most part thy keep up with the veterans.
Of course, we see the entertaining quirks of the young theatre nerds: a diva, a mime, a superstitious complainer, for example; and many theatrical "in-jokes". -- The only thing missing was an aloof Goth character dressed in severe black costume and sunglasses.
And there's romance too, as the kids' teacher has to choose between a shy bus driver and a successful surgeon while her Jewish-mother urges in one direction and the bus driver's daughter in the other...no spoilers needed.
Just sit back and enjoy the ride. There's even a good message at the end that assuages any ill feelings people might have about the frenetic holidays: the true spirit of Christmas comes from believing in the essential goodness of humankind.
It's all in good fun, as the players provide a fine entertainment for the Holiday Season.
P.S. -- Prattville's downtown Christmas decorations are stunning, and driving through them on the way to the theatre ought to get audiences in the right mood for the show.
