A Child's Christmas in Wales

Despite a loose storyline, Gamm Theatre's production of A Child's Christmas in Wales, adapted from the writing of poet Dylan Thomas, has plenty of pleasantries and makes for a memorable holiday experience.

Adapted and directed by Gamm Artistic Director Tony Estrella, A Child's Christmas in Wales is based on the Dylan Thomas prose poem, and further influenced by other poems, stories and letters from the late poet. Welsh folk songs, accompanied by live music, are coupled with the author's profound words to transport the audience to past holiday celebrations and traditions through the eyes and memory of Dylan as an impressionable young boy.

The opening scene takes place in a New York City hotel room, 1952. An inebriated Dylan (Tom Gleadow) noisily stumbles in and shares a few cross words with a ruffled neighbor.

As he gets ready for bed, the pleasant voices of holiday carolers are heard outside his window, which gives him pause. Dylan is immediately reminded of Christmas in Wales, when he was just eight years old, and takes the audience for a stroll down memory lane, sharing and remembering holiday anecdotes from yesteryear.

Gleadow plays the younger Dylan in most of the flashback sequences, which include affectionate tussles with his sister, Nancy (Amanda Ruggiero), mischievous adventures with his childhood friend, Jim (David Rabinow), and the retelling of stories, like a beloved tale about "useless gifts," told by his father (David Tessier). Uncles Jim (Cliff Odle) and Arnold (Rabinow) make stolid, customary appearances, as well as his boisterous Auntie Hannah (Wendy Overly), whose fondness for song, dance and wine leaves a lasting impression, for both the poet and the audience.

The play starts out a bit slow, and because the stage activities are essentially random snippets of memory from a drunken, reminiscing poet, it lacks structure. Nevertheless, the story (or lack thereof), cordially invites the audience to the festive, familial setting of this child and his family where -- in most cases -- the holiday spirit is served with generous helpings.

Gleadow does a great job as Dylan, a role that requires the arduous task of having to behave like a child most of the time, and similarly, Rabinow is just as pleasant as fellow youngster, Jim. Tessier is wonderful as the boy's father, and the actor plays the fiddle as an added bonus (accompanied by Rabinow on guitar). Max Gleadow is adorable as young Dylan, although his voice was a bit hard to hear during this performance.

All members of the cast deliver fine performances, but Wendy Overly steals the show as Hannah, whose hilarious folk rendition, asking the audience to "Come and See if the Wine is Good," glistens with contagious energy.

Although it is not conventional holiday folklore, A Child's Christmas in Wales is an especially worthwhile selection from among the more routine, traditional entertainment choices this season.