REVIEW: A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS—Laguna Playhouse

Come celebrate the season with Lythgoe Family Panto as they introduce their newly revised production of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS. filled with comedy, magic, Broadway and Hollywood stars and well-known pop songs!

DECEMBER 7TH—LAGUNA BEACH

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Scrooge, a Grinch or a Disgruntled Elf, you’re going to be surprised how much fun you'll have with the Lythgoe Family’s newest production at Laguna Playhouse — A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS — now playing all the way through Christmas week to the 28^th.

Yes, it’s a panto! Which means there’s going to be heroes and villains, and a whole lot of in-betweens, blending its timeless magical charm with dazzling pop hits, from Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” to Katy Perry’s “Firework,” and from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to Huey Lewis’ “The Power of Love,” all the way to the Village People’s “YMCA.

Nick Delzompo and Marcelle LeBlanc star in the Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Production of “A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS” - Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach.

It’s a laughter-packed, interactive journey just shy of being snarky and snide. I’m sure you remember last Christmas’s Lythgoe panto, “Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish,” and what a great time we had watching young children and even sophisticated adults in the audience taking comedic potshots at various pop-culture and showbiz figures. Well, Laguna Playhouse has once again transformed their stage into a haven of innocence and whimsy, wonderment and hysterics where every child in the audience can yell out any time he or she wants, or for that matter when any cast member comes into view.

Barry Pearl, Nick Delzompo and Jonathan Meza star in the Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Production of “A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS” - Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach.

By now, everyone’s seen the classic fairy-tale Snow White, either on stage or through Disney’s original 1937 film or one of the other remakes. You’ll definitely recognize her here again (she has the same dress code), but, as usual, the Lythgoes love to tweak things up a bit (this one was penned by Kris Lythgoe), so it will be a most fun story and you definitely should bring the little ones. In fact, you can even have them featured on stage (check with the box office for details).

Kimberley Locke and Marcelle LeBlanc star in the Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Production of “A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS” - Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach.

In this much revised version of the beloved fable, which is directed by Bonnie Lythgoe, you’ll once again see quite an array of stars and stage veterans playing a host of lovable characters all on full adventure throughout Snow White’s queendom. If you’ve ever watched TV’s “Seinfeld,” you’ll no doubt recognize Mr. John O’Hurley (especially with his very distinctive voice) with some memorable tongue-in-cheek cameo appearances as the Magic Mirror on the Wall. His ability to make a single one-liner both charming and sarcastic is a gift no one else can do better.

Marcelle LeBlanc (center) stars with the company of the Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Production of “A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS” - Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach.

And, if you remember the Netflix megahit “Stranger Things,” you may have also seen our star there. She’s Ms. Marcelle LeBlanc, playing the feisty and beautiful Snow White – the fairest in the land. Her gleaming prince, Mr. Nick Delzompo, also has incredible credits, including one right here at Laguna Playhouse where he starred as Melchior in “Spring Awakening.” Mr. Delzompo is rightfully the charming handsome hero with amazing vocals that everyone cheers when he takes the stage.

Kimberley Locke stars as the “The Queen” in the Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Production of “A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS” - Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach.

And, most adults will remember the name Kimberley Locke from “American Idol.” The warmly, theatrical Ms. Locke, accentuated in a plush velvet gown (while chewing the scenery to laugh-inducing effect and comedic mugging), is the evil queen, unnamed here but known otherwise as Queen Grimhilde, that everyone boos and hisses as she plots her dastardly deeds, all the while barking out gritty insults to the fired-up crowd.

Jonathan Meza, who plays the wise-cracking, fun-loving Muddles the Court Jester in the show (also the narrator), helps to weave and flesh out the story for us with his boundless energy, keeping us laughing constantly. Mr. Meza is decidedly a scene stealer in the role, a likable buffoon with a high-beam smile and a limber, rubbery body. He has an eternal air of joy and wit about him that never misses a beat or ever falls short of carrying us through every second of his time on stage (which is practically all the time).

And last but definitely not least is the incredible Broadway star Barry Pearl as Herman (he’s just Herman here, but usually called Herman the worthy Huntsman). Mr. Pearl’s resume has definitely sparkled for decades, but many people remember him best as “Doody” in the original 1978 film “Grease.” There’s also a highly entertaining assortment of cherubic youth ensemble playing the dwarfs. Their “YMCA” take is pure, mixed with some serious dance moves and skylarking fun, flashing us back to the days of disco, dwarf-style.

And I can’t leave out the audience sing-a-long moments, the mirth, the merriment, the magic, the exquisite choreography, and of course, those corny jokes, topped off with an auditorium of kids booing and screaming out instructions to the characters. It’s a not-to-be-missed must-see performance, and just the right warm and fuzzy you need to get you through this holiday season.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents A NEWLY REVISED VERSION of, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS; Produced by LYTHGOE FAMILY PRODUCTIONS; Written by KRIS LYTHGOE (TV Credits include: “So You Think You Can Dance” -Fox, “Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes” - Fox Reality; Theatre Credits: “Footloose,” “The Wedding Singer”); Directed by dancer, choreographer, director, TV presenter, TV producer and Broadway producer BONNIE LYTHGOE (“To Sir, With Love,” starring Sidney Poitier; “So You Think You Can Dance;” “Snow White” with Neil Patrick Harris); Musical Direction by MICHAEL SOBIE (“Wicked,” “Les Miserables,” “Xanadu,” and “Altar Boyz”); Choreography by CLARICE ORDAZ (“One Day at a Time” - Netflix, “Hairspray” and “Cabaret” - 5 Star Theatricals).

STARRING: MARCELLE LEBLANC (“Stranger Things,”, “Cobra Kai”) as “Snow White;” NICK DELZOMPO ("Melchior" in "Spring Awakening," Laguna Playhouse debut) as “The Prince;” KIMBERLEY LOCKE (“American Idol,” “Dr. and the Diva”)  as “The Queen;” BARRY PEARL (“Doody” in Grease, "The Wonderful Winter of Oz" at the Laguna Playhouse, "Bye, Bye, Birdie" and "The Producers" on Broadway) as “Herman;” JONATHAN MEZA ("A Snow White Christmas," “Armed Forces Entertainment” ) as “Muddles;” and JOHN O’HURLEY (“Seinfeld;” "Silk Stockings;" "Valley of the Dolls;" "Santa Barbara;" "The X Files") as the voice of the “Magic Mirror.” The cast ensemble are Mia Alvarez, Addison Chang, Becca Lind, Rae Martinez, Brandon Ray Maxwell, Rasha Willes Samaha, Jarod H Smith, Jennifer Whitman, Erin Choi, Isabel Jones, Coco Renee Ortega, Teddy Rayburn, Indie Reign, Anabel Rodriguez, Chacha Shen, Greer Smith, Zizi Townsend and Hadley Wingate.

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS opened December 7th and will run through Sunday, December 28th at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Performances will be Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 12:00pm & 4:00 pm. There will no performances on Thursday, December 28th or Friday, December 29th at 7:00pm. Added performances will be Wednesday, December 17th at 7:00 pm; Saturday, December 20th at 11:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:00pm; Monday, December 22nd at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm; Tuesday, December 23rd at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm; Friday, December 26th at 3:00pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets range from $39 - $89. There is a $50 “Golden Ticket” add-on available for children ages 4-12 that includes a gift bag and special onstage sing-along experience. Golden Tickets can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787).

Chris Daniels

Arts & Entertainment Reviewer

The Show Report

PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Niedle/TETHOS