By DANIEL SHOCK
A Seat on the Aisle
The holiday season inevitably brings a flood of entertainment options – stories filled with earnest, worthwhile lessons about the spirit of giving and treating our fellow humans with kindness. But let’s be real: sometimes, you just want to kick back and have a good time. This year, the Phoenix Cultural Center’s production of Snow Fever: A Karaoke Christmas might be just the ticket.
The show is set in a bar in Montana during the days leading up to Christmas. Before you even enter the theater, they set the mood – tokens for a shot and beer are available at the snack bar. Naturally, in the name of a thorough review, I got myself a token. I walked into the theater and onto the set, where cast members were already serving drinks. We’re off to a great start.
When the lights go down, we meet Lucy (Sarah Powell), a college student running late for a job interview at the bar. She’s greeted by Laverna (Jolene Mentink Moffatt), a sharp-tongued whirlwind of a woman who has taken it upon herself to conduct the interview. Between hilariously passive-aggressive digs about Lucy’s tardiness, Laverna regales her with a boozy history of the bar, her colorful romantic past, and the time it was named after her: “Taverna Laverna.”
Lucy (Sarah Powell) meets Laverna (Jolene Mentink Moffatt). (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
Brendan (Grant Niezgodski), the bar’s owner and Laverna’s perpetually exasperated son, storms in to remind everyone who’s actually in charge. Spoiler: no one listens. Brendan is doing his best to keep the struggling bar afloat, and he’s adamant that karaoke is not the solution.
Things only get wilder from there. Kenny (Austin Hookfin), an employee of the bar with a penchant for creating chaos, shows up with Greta (Akili Ni Mali), a KJ (karaoke DJ) he quite literally snowballed on her way to Seattle. Greta, with her karaoke expertise, might just be the spark the bar needs – or the match Brendan is desperate to extinguish.
And then there’s Fritz (Brian Tyrrell), the villainous ex-suitor of Laverna whose very name is banned from being spoken in the bar. Naturally, Fritz’s arrival is perfectly timed to stir up even more trouble, leading to a holiday showdown filled with hilarity, heart, and a whole lot of karaoke.
Director John Michael Goodson has assembled a talented team of creatives to bring this show to life. The cast is charming across the board. Grant Niezgodski plays Brendan with just the right amount of exasperation as he faces challenges from every angle. Jolene Mentink Moffatt is comic perfection as the irrepressible Laverna, a mother who can’t be reasoned with – or stopped. Sarah Powell is delightful as Lucy, perfectly embodying the character’s sweet, shy personality. As Kenny, Austin Hookfin delivers the chaos and energy needed to shake things up. Akili Ni Mali’s Greta is the heart of the show – a woman searching for her place in the world. Brian Tyrrell is wonderfully slimy as Fritz, making you loathe him in all the best ways. He absolutely deserves everything that comes his way.
Technically, the show is also impressive. Shane Cinal’s set design perfectly evokes memories of Cheers – if Cheers were a more rundown Montana bar. Inviting the audience to order drinks at the bar before the show is a genius way to immerse everyone in the world of the play. The sound design by Todd Mack seamlessly incorporates pop songs sung karaoke-style by the cast, injecting energy and humor into the performance. Paully Crumpacker’s lighting design enhances the atmosphere, adding warmth to the bar scenes and excitement to the musical moments.
The only criticism I have is that the script by Robert Paisley itself feels a little underwritten. Some things seemed to be too quickly glossed over and I do feel the absence of some minor supporting characters as regulars of the bar. Cheers has Norm and Cliff. The Simpsons has Barney. The Wet Whistle needed some customers. The pacing is fast – this is not a show that outstays its welcome. I was surprised when the intermission came so quickly. Any deficiencies are quickly dispensed of by the charm of the cast and the vibe that all involved manage to create.
With its ensemble of quirky, lovable characters, Snow Fever is less about grand lessons and more about embracing the messy, magical chaos of the holidays. It’s a rollicking good time in a Montana dive bar, complete with sticky floors, taxidermy, and just enough heart to remind you why the season is worth celebrating.
Snow Fever: A Karaoke Christmas is playing at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, through Dec. 22. Remaining performances include Dec. 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets can be purchased on the Phoenix Theatre’s website. Don’t miss this chance to join the fun!
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