Our holiday hopes: Joy. Cheer. Love. Peace. Goodwill. Turkey.
Our holiday reality: Tension. Blame. Resentment. Bigotry. Screaming. The voice of God.
At least for some of us.
Ah, Christmas – the most wonderful time of the year!
Perhaps your holiday family gathering doesn’t include the voice of God, but after seeing Greetings!, showing now at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, you’ll wish it did. Like many families, a Christmas eve gathering of the Gorski family begins with high expectations and good intentions. Son Andy (Matt Bloch) is visiting from afar and poised to announce his engagement to girlfriend Randi (Rachel Rose Gilmour), who is meeting the family for the first time. The good cheer dissolves rapidly when devout Catholic and Scrooge-y father Phil Gorski (Richard Travis) learns that his future daughter-in-law is Jewish and worse, an atheist. Mom Emily (Emily J. Cole) tries unsuccessfully to temper Phil’s behavior while Andy’s brother Micky (Joshua Mullins), who suffers from an intellectual disability, occasionally stammers a few phrases from his place by the Christmas tree.
Just when the family seems to be resigned to being trapped in the endless, toxic dynamic, fate intervenes to deliver them from a holiday debacle. A divine being whose voice emanates from an unlikely source leads the Gorskis step by step back to sanity, love, and the spirit of Christmas.
This timeless play, written by Tom Dudzick more than thirty years ago, teaches us with great humor and wisdom how to get along with each other in this era where civic discourse seems like ancient history. Producing artistic director Tom Width guides this talented cast using seamless and astute direction that ensures that this heart-felt message hits home in all the right ways.
Bring your whole family to savor this holiday delight, and let the gift of the message nourish you into the new year. Greetings! Is showing at Swift Creek Mill Theater through Saturday, December 23. For showtimes, tickets, and information about pre-show dining, visit Swift Creek Mill.
