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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Twist of the Magi Also see Gil's reviews of Lea Salonga in Concert, Coriolanus and The Midtown Men–Holiday Hits
It's Christmas time in 1945 and the cast and crew of radio station KTAS are getting set for their live radio program that offers a fun spin on O. Henry's tale of a husband and wife who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts, only to discover the true spirit of love and selflessness. However, some of the cast is running late, there are romantic issues with the two actors who just happen to play the husband and wife in the radio play, and the person providing sound effects for the radio program is a substitute who seems very confused at times. Needless to say, hilarity ensues. Gettleman has crafted a comedy that puts O. Henry's famous story front and center while also providing a fun assortment of wacky characters. She also includes an interesting plot twist to the radio show, so it will provide some fresh fun for those already familiar with the short story, as well as several fun digs at the weakness of the male sex that the two main female characters state. Several funny musical interludes keep the play moving along while providing variety to the plot. However, as charming and humorous as the play is, there could be some additional moments to play into the zany characters and their relationships with each other, or moments, like in most farces, where the play goes off the skids and the cast has to get it back on track; here there is only one and it's resolved almost as soon as it begins. There could also be more to explain why an unknown person just happens to show up to provide the sound effects for the show as well as more to the strained relationship of the actors who play the leads in the radio play. Fortunately, under Brad Bond's playful direction, the entire cast shines. Each actor provides the right level of anxiety and stress that you'd think would come with performing a play live on the radio with several appropriately creating different voices for the various roles they play in the radio play. The cast also deliver the dialogue of the play they are presenting exactly how you'd think a 1940s radio cast would–in a somewhat melodramatic tone. Lauren Isherwood is wonderful as the actress who plays Della, the wife in the O. Henry story, and Judy Rollings is superb as the shop owner who gets pulled into the story. Both have wonderful comic timing and create realistic and lovable characters. Seth Tutnick is strong and warm as the husband in the Christmas story, while Bill Kane is excellent as the show's announcer. As two women who play important roles in the radio play, Judy Eisenberg and Dolores Goldsmith create rich characters. Al Benneian and Tom Noga play several supporting roles in the radio drama effectively and Javier Santiago has excellent timing as the radio station's harried stage manager. Debra Rich has a lot of fun as the sound effects woman, Betsy, and Scott Sims provides bright musical accompaniment throughout, with Janine Smith, Hilary (Tink) Hirsch, and Jenny Hansen delivering warm vocals as the singing sister trio. While Twist of the Magi isn't perfect, it does provide plenty of holiday cheer and humor and makes for a fun and charming diversion to the insanity of the holiday season. Twist of the Magi runs through December 22, 2024, at Theatre Artists Studio, 4848 East Cactus Road, Scottsdale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.TheStudioPHX.org or call 602-765-0120. Director: Brad Bond Cast:
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