The star at the top of this critic's Christmas tree belongs to Greetings!, presented by Milwaukee's Next Act Theater. The show is a revival of sorts for the company, which offered Greetings! as part of its season eight years ago. As the play opens, we meet Phil and Emily Gorski, a long-married couple who live in a working-class section of Pittsburgh. It is the night before Christmas, and they are bustling about making last-minute preparations. They are so caught up in arranging outdoor lights (Phil's job) and checking the meatloaf (Emily's domain) that they seem to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
The only one who seems delighted with the holiday magic is their grown son, Mickey. Although mentally disabled, Mickey has been kept at home his entire life by his doting parents. His IQ level is about that of a three-year-old. A younger son, Andy (Eddie Collins), has "made it big" in
Audiences who saw the previous production will no doubt be delighted that the same two actors play the husband-wife duo this time around. As Phil, the crotchety old coot who walks with a cane, David Cecsarini makes the most of his character. His excellent comic timing can be seen in Phil's brittle exchanges with his long-suffering wife. The result is completely hilarious. As his wife, actor Debra Babich seems born to play the part of Emily. Her movements, facial expression and piercing voice are completely on target. Although Emily usually lets her husband win an argument, Babich proves she's no mouse.
Not quite as spectacular is the play's other female character, Randi, played by Elizabeth Audley. Although Audley comes close to hitting the mark as Andy's girlfriend, she falls slightly short in believability. Eddie Collins is convincing as the accomplished son. Though he may be an ace in Manhattan, the thought of introducing his girlfriend to his folks makes him practically unhinged.
The toughest role -- by far -- is that of the brain-damaged Mickey (played by Marcus Truschinski). Even prior to Mickey's otherworldly transformation, Truschinski is amazing in his capacity to capture Mickey's jerky movements, gestures and speech patterns. Director Mary MacDonald Kerr maintains a smooth dialogue between the characters, making the play's running time practically fly by. By the play's end, audiences have come to care about these well-developed characters. A well-written script, solid direction and excellent casting make Greetings! a don't-miss attraction of the holiday season.
