Review: Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas tree

Community By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter Friday, December 16, 2022

The Main Street Players are ending their year with a production of the comedy “Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas Tree.”

     The show is 12 vignettes plus opening and closing scenes and will appeal to kids and their elders. 

     There is just one weekend left to see the production which runs through Dec. 18 at The Main Street Playhouse, 6812 Main St.

     The production is the most fun show presented this season, and with the largest cast. 

     It’s 75 minutes without intermission. Eight actors play multiple roles in the play written by Michael Gravois. It is directed by Brandon Urrutia, who stepped in during the final dress rehearsal for Elizabeth Guerra.

     Urrutia’s take as a cactus who visits a snowman’s house was hysterical. 

     There is singing; dancing; silly jokes; tinsel; a Christmas tree; presents and an all-around good time. 

     But there are deeper messages for the audience, expressed through lessons inspired by Aesop’s Fables. 

     Themes include working together and telling the truth, and all the vignettes end with positive lessons for life while presented in a holiday setting. 

     There are catchy songs and raps that will get stuck in your head, like when actor Kyran Wright plays an elf who aspires to bake cookies but can’t escape elf drudgery. 

     Wright, who played the lead in the theater’s production of “Black Sheep” in August, is no longer a murderous nephew, but a silly elf. He’s fun to watch through most of the show, as is the rest of the cast. 

     Michael Fernandez is another treat. He’s silly and leans into the physical comedy aspect of many of his roles – especially while playing a pompous royal subject. 

     Fernandez plays well against Dayron Leon’s king, who is goofy and fun. Leon is also great a thief in a scene with Scrooge, played by Fernandez, which drew laughs from the audience too.   

     They’re joined by Diana Buitrago as a queen who makes amazing facial expressions. 

      And if you snag a front row seat, there are free sweets involved.

     One scene that brought joy was a retelling of the tortoise and the hare, which morphed into the birds from “The 12 days of Christmas.” 

     Follow along, it’s worth it. 

     Wright’s honking goose, Leon’s calling bird, and Fernandez as the partridge are hilarious.

     They’re joined by Chloe Schwinghammer’s sweet performance as the turtle dove and Sterling Tribue as the French hen with an over-the-top accent. 

     Bianca Utset’s singing, accompanied by the rest of the cast, is the final bow on this holiday present. 

     “Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas Tree” runs through Dec. 18 at The Main Street Playhouse, 6812 Main St. 

     Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students and $10 for children. 

     Curtain is at 7 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. 

     For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.mainstreetplayers.com.