As A Kodachrome Christmas so bountifully reminds us, not all holiday hits require an enormous cast, a substantial-size orchestra, spectacular choreography or incredible sets and costumes. This not to knock Milwaukee’s other holiday attractions such as The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and, this year, The Sound of Music,featuring a cast of 63(!).
However, the charm of A Kodachrome Christmas lies in the simplicity of its story and the size of its one-member cast. Comedian and actor John McGivern returns once more to play his signature role as female TV variety show hostess, Earlene Hoople.
It is interesting to note that playwright Pat Hazell originally wrote the show for a woman. Instead of changing the part to a man, as McGivern requested, Hazell convinced McGivern to try playing it as a woman. John’s skillful acting (and great legs) goes a long way towards convincing the audience that this is, indeed, a woman.
Although we never see Earlene’s recently departed husband, Ray, he is often mentioned during the performance. It’s clear that Earlene misses the man she has known and loved for so many years. Still, Earlene forges ahead with the cable TV show’s traditional holiday episode, not wanting to disappoint her faithful viewers in rural Wisconsin. Ray’s passion is even reflected in the show’s title, as it refers to the now-obsolete Kodachrome film that was used by Ray’s photography club.
Earlene’s middle-aged manner reminds one of a ditzy aunt. She is funny but also forgetful; sharp-witted but also slightly daft. She is very creative in avoiding swear words by substituting her own hilarious substitutes. Her cooking-and-craft TV segments would probably not earn the Martha Stewart seal of approval, but who cares?
Not every aspect of Earlene’s show comes off as planned, which makes the show even funnier. When a bell choir leader phones Earlene with the news of a last-minute cancellation (while Earlene is on the air), Earlene immediately springs into action. She quickly selects volunteers from the audience to ring the bells. (Earlene conducts from center stage, using a spatula as her baton.) There’s a bit more interactive business during the show, and the audience seems to lap it up.
In A Kodachrome Christmas,there are sight gags aplenty and even some bathroom humor tossed into the mix. A number of the funnier moments can be attributed to Earlene’s ever-changing costumes. The set is cleverly designed to accommodate Earlene as she moves between a cooking segment, a craft corner, and a living room.
This show seems perfectly tailored to John McGivern’s talents, and once again he offers it as a Christmas gift to his Milwaukee hometown.
