“Cudahy Caroler Christmas” still holiday hilarious

On Sunday, Dec. 23, In Tandem Theatre will stage its 200th performance of A Cudahy Caroler Christmas.

After its debut, this musical comedy written by local playwright, Anthony Wood, played to SRO audiences for six seasons. After a short retirement, this tribute to beer, bowling and friendship is home for the holidays and packed with the broad and bawdy humor that made it popular.

In Tandem Artistic Director Chris Flieller originated the role of Stasch Zielinski. Flieller again portrays this likeable guy next door with warmth. He brings depth to a character who, in less capable hands, could easily become caricature. His flannel-clad fella in the hat with the ear flaps sets out to reunite the long disbanded Cudahy Carolers, a local choir who cheered the town of Cudahy so many Christmas seasons ago.

Nathan Wesselowski is outstanding as Pee Wee Kaputish, owner of the local bowlerama. His rendition of “O, Bowling Night,” an homage to the workingman’s holiest night, is drama and camp rolled into one and Wesselowksi pulls it off with perfection. Lisa Morris sparkles as Edna Kaputish, a housewife tired of TV trays and polka music; she pines for life on the North Shore. Joe Fransee is a delight as love struck teen Zeke, and Kelly Cline and Samantha Paige give memorable performances.

But Alison Mary Forbes, as the classically repressed librarian who finds her courage in a box of wine, steals the show. Her zany, brainy Trixie is captivating whether she’s nervously stammering in the corner, too timid to move, or belting out a tune into the toilet brush she thinks is a microphone.

A Cudahy Caroler Christmas roasts a small local community with its own special brand and director Jane Flieller doesn’t play gently with the stereotypes. Sensitive audiences looking for old fashioned Yuletide fare should probably look elsewhere. Theatergoers who enjoy no-holds barred humor will have the time of their lives.

A Cudahy Caroler Christmas runs through Jan. 5 at the Tenth Street Theatre. For tickets, call the In Tandem box office, 414 272-1371, or visit In Tandem’s website.

Don’t miss anything this busy pre-holiday arts week. Danielle McClune details dozens of events in the TCD On Stage column. Check it out.