@showsiveseen Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey & @Heidi's "Happy #Christmas, Jeeves" #play at @TaprootTheatre. Starring @MocapMinute & Calder Jameson Shilling. A heartwarming comedy for the #holidays w/ funny gags. Review: showsiveseen.com/10926 Photos: Robert Wade Director: Karen Lund Stage Manager: Mackenzie Breda #showsiveseen #theatre #holiday #xmas ♬ Better Together – The Jilettes
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Happy Christmas, Jeeves play at Taproot Theatre. Starring Richard Nguyen Sloniker & Calder Jameson Shilling. A heartwarming comedy for the holidays with funny gags.
See it if you’re looking for a funny Christmas-themed play.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Bertie is simply hoping for his “Christmas pudding” this holiday season (aka a peaceful, uneventful staycation). But, as always, friends and family chaotically drop by uninvited. Can Bertie and his ever-loyal valet, Jeeves, manage to salvage his Christmas pudding?
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Step into the whimsical world of Bertie Wooster and his impeccable valet, Jeeves, in this brand-new holiday play. All Bertie wants for Christmas is a quiet night at home with no relatives, but his tranquility is shattered by a love-smitten pal and the impending arrival of the meddling Aunt Agatha. Join the mirth and mayhem in a delightful comedy that will tickle your fancy and warm your heart.
Type: Play
World Premiere: Yes
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Just one – A living room
Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’ll probably appreciate this play more if you’re familiar the PG Wodehouse’s “Jeeves” character.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Union Actors: 1
Total Actors: 7
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 125 minutes
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No
Mainstream Appeal: Medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
- Aunt Agatha: Kim Morris delightfully portrayed a bellicose strict aunt. It must be fun to play such a spirited role.
- Gags: The script cleverly incorporated two funny gags. Firstly, there was a two-sided misunderstanding involving terminal illness. And secondly, there was a running joke of visitors knocking at the door just as Bertie mentioned them in conversation.
- Audience: The opening night audience was energetic with laughter and even audibly awww-ed during a hugging moment.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
- Lady Bittlesham: I always pity actors like Nikki Visel (playing Lady Bittlesham) who must wait for more than half of the show to finally appear on stage in the second act. However, I did enjoy her predatory cougar-like scene. At least her character was mentioned several times before she appeared, which made her arrival feel more natural with anticipation. It’s definitely stranger when a character shows up out of nowhere with little setup. If I’m not mistaken, I recall this weirdness happening with one of Nikki’s previous roles in Taproot Theatre’s The Book of Will, when her character appeared in the second act without any prior introduction.
- Costume: Oh my, those culottes Claude (played by Joe Moore) wore could have been a dress or elephant pants!
- Scenic Design: The grand door in the back of the set was beautifully designed (and weirdly not the front door), but it seemed more appropriate for American opulent 1980s than Jeeves’s early British 20th century era.
Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre
Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Price Range: $35-65
Dates: November 27 to December 31, 2024
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: Paid lot or usually-free street parking. I always find free street parking on Greenwood Ave just South of the theatre.
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Pictures: See production pictures below by Robert Wade.
Cast and Production Team: See pictures below.