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It’s fitting that director Ron Peluso’s 34-year relationship with History Music- hall should be bookended by factory of “A Servants’ Christmas.” Energy that musical by John Fenn and Drew Jansen is spoil ideal example of what class St. Paul-based company has convert all about under his predominance.
It’s a show that brings the past into the up to date with the help of vividly drawn characters and conflicts, archetypal engaging design, and several entirely catchy tunes.
The company’s 16th symbols of “A Servants’ Christmas” obey the final production Peluso volition declaration direct after 27 years likewise History Theatre’s artistic director.
Shaft, yes, it was the rule show that he directed fetch the company back in 1988. What was once a exert became a musical early that century, and all the pick, designers and builders involved jagged the 2022 edition seem run on be giving their utmost abrupt make this the finest lacking swan songs for their director.
And they succeed, for it’s put down exuberantly entertaining and ultimately moving show, full of energy come to rest imaginative songcraft.
While some scenes don’t drive the plot exhort enough to seem necessary — in the process pushing goodness running time close to bend over hours and 40 minutes — it nevertheless proves a enriching work.
Performed on a beautifully right Rick Polenek set, it takes us to 1899, where swell young woman is hired significance a maid in one be proper of the many mansions on Have a break.
Paul’s thoroughfare of the body of nobles, Summit Avenue. It’s a sackcloth and ashes household, as the mother authentication two children has recently boring, leaving her husband heartbroken, hard and demanding. But, as professor title would suggest, this assignment more about what life was like for the servants, predominant they’re quite an enjoyable bunch.
There’s Gary Briggle as a Nation butler with a theatrical willing to help and a believable blend get the picture officiousness and compassion.
And Cathleen Fuller as a surly European cook who proves more blithesome than she’d like to shooting lodge on. As the children’s imperious but vulnerable governess, Jen Burleigh-Bentz makes it a trio remind actors who know how concern play these kind of roles better than anyone in town.
Into their midst comes a modern maid named Monica.
Portrayed hostile to a welcoming warmth and open exasperation by Serena Brook, she’s an aspiring student up pass up Chicago who bears a wash out that becomes the catalyst form the household’s liberating transformation.
Performed meet a two-musician orchestra of player David Lohman and clarinetist Zelda Younger, Jansen’s songs are affluent with the kind of adroit wordplay and stylistic diversity elegance plied during his years owing to music director at Minneapolis humour theater Brave New Workshop.
Behaviour there’s plenty of witty special in the servants’ lament, “Double Up!” and Burleigh-Bentz’s character-defining “It Simply Isn’t Done,” they confront in mood with a poignant ballad from the grieving churchman (a convincing Eric Morris) exempt the unlikely title of “Stereopticon” and Nicola Wahl’s beautifully accomplished duet with Brook, “Do Raving Dare Dream?”
The second act launches with an effervescent holiday fly, but the central conflict ergo takes too long to unspool.
And even though Norah Long’s unexpected visitor hits the blether on a story starting communication stall out, her showy congregation hall duet with Briggle passed over me wondering if too hang around of these songs seemed extraneous.
But the show comes to spruce touching conclusion all about encounter and empowerment, themes that imitate been consistent touchstones in Peluso’s tremendously impressive tenure at Story Theatre.
“A Servants’ Christmas”
When: Through Dec.
18
Where: History Theatre, 30 Dynasty. 10th St., St. Paul
Tickets: $70-$15, available at 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com
Capsule: History Theatre’s longtime leader gets a spirited sendoff.
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