'The Carols' intimate, endearing, packed with comedy

The quaintness of the Gilbert Theatre is perfectly matched for its current holiday musical, "The Carols." This play is intimate, endearing and packed with comedy.

"The Carols" is set in 1944, when WWII is raging, and Christmas is just around the corner. With too few men in their small town, the Carol sisters have to figure out creative and "progressive" ways to continue their town's holiday musical tradition — the play "A Christmas Carol." They enlist the help of their boss at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall and a drifter in the form of a Jewish comedian to bring a ridiculous and hilariously amusing version of "A Christmas Carol" to life.

While this play is a little left of tradition from the typical Christmas musicals and ballets, it is a welcomed journey into the antics of three quirky small-town gals in the 1940s. It combines the humor of "I Love Lucy" with heartfelt moments akin to Charlie Brown. The music, which found itself bouncing between Christmas tunes and big swing bands, added a rich depth to the story and the interlaced humor throughout.

The sisters, Lily, Silvia and Rose Carol, are played by Eden Kinsey, Molly Hamelin and Megan Martinez, respectively. Kinsey's singing and intermixed monologues were a great addition to the play, particularly when matched against Silvia's budding dream of becoming the next feminist heroine in the county and Rose's desire to land a man and her inability to pronounce words with silent letters correctly.

Both Hamelin and Martinez develop their characters well. Martinez's far-off looks, slap-happy smiles and general embodiment of a Marilyn Monroe-like character often stole the show. The interaction between the three characters was part of the magic that makes this show worth seeing.

This was an exceptional pairing with Karen Williams, who played Miss Betty, a middle-aged grouch who runs the VFW hall, and Evan Bridenstine, the Jewish comedian Melvin Shaatz. Bridenstine was missed on stage when a scene did not call for his presence. While Bridenstine's character on stage was a comedian, it was clear that the actor himself knew how to deliver a line. At the back of the stage, providing all of the piano accompaniments for the show, was Katherine Anderson playing Teddy. Teddy has little to no lines in the show except for a few comedic lines at the end.

While the play touched on heart-felt moments and serious topics, the show's true star was the humor. The neurotic and sometimes strange behaviors of the characters, embodied by the various actors, left the audience thoroughly entertained and laughing the whole way through. The serious moments paled in comparison to the main characters' tomfoolery. "The Carols" is definitely a show for those who prefer their holidays a little lighter and find the prospect of laughing through the holidays better than crying.

Untraditional Christmas show is a hoot

We've all heard the traditional classic Christmas songs and stories. They warm our hearts year after year.

But there is a new holiday show in town – "The Carols" at the Gilbert Theater.

The musical takes place in 1944 during World War II. All the men are away overseas taking part in the war. The three Carol sisters want to put on "A Christmas Carol," but they find themselves needing actors. They put up signs and nab Melvin, an entertainer passing through the town.

They convince Miss Betty, a Scrooge-like woman, to participate in the sisters' show.

Teddy plays the piano and the three Carol sisters star in their show. Eden S. Kinsey, who plays Lily, is the lead actress in "The Carols." She alternates acting with the cast and talking to the audience, moving the music forward.

Molly Hamelin plays Sylvia. Sylvia is interested in politics, especially Eleanor Roosevelt.

Sylvia goes as far as writing to Mrs. Roosevelt and inviting her to their Christmas show.

All the actors are talented, but Megan Martinez, who plays Rose, steals the show. Rose is a boy-crazed young lady who wants to get married.

She is silly, and her happiness is infectious. She had the audience laughing often.

Rose is quirky. For example, she doesn't believe in silent letters in words, so instead of "ghost," she pronounces it "Ga-Host." The moment you forget that fact, Barnes will mispronounce a word again, making the audience laugh.

The musical production highlights the cast's many talents. The Carol sisters' voices blend beautifully together. Lily and Melvin do a number in which they both sing and dance. It is unique because Lily tap dances, a highlight in the show for Kinsey. The Gilbert Theater, located downtown, is the perfect venue for "The Carols."

It's intimate, and you can sit so close to the stage that you feel like you are a part of the show.

The hairstyles and clothing are just the right fit for the play's era. Jennifer Childs wrote the book and lyrics for "The Carols."

The music is by Monica Stephenson and was originally staged by Robyne Parrish in Pennsylvania.

This untraditional Christmas show is a hoot.

It is the perfect way to feel the Christmas spirit with friends and family.

Snatch up some tickets and enjoy the show.