Acting Company's 'Who Killed Santa Claus?' a good show with clever comeback

Director Gail Carter and her eight-member cast put some nice twists in "Who Killed Santa Claus?," the PG-13-rated comedy-mystery now at The Acting Company in Yuba City.

However, the PG morality warning seemed hardly necessary after the play, written by Terence Freely, was seen in its entirety.

Admittedly, there were perhaps a few show business-related innuendos about a possibly gay character and a blue-ish word or three uttered over the course of this funny and well-produced play.

But nothing that was hinted at or uttered exceeded things the kids haven't already seen or heard. Still, "rules is rules," as they say, so leave the younger tots at home.

This production of "Who Killed Santa Claus?" makes a good impression even before it starts. TAC has no curtain to hide the stage, so arriving early gives audience members a chance to appreciate this stylish set.

The play is set in San Francisco in 1970, and the scenery evokes memories of that time and place. A picture window view from a Telegraph Hill residence offers a night-time panorama of the downtown financial district.

Lights twinkle from the TransAmerica building and other well-known edifices that some of us can recall admiring in long ago times.

The residence interior is stunningly designed by Gail Carter and Roger Holcomb. Some of the chairs and other sit-upons are for sale at Yuba City's American Furniture. The long, stunning redwood bar that is seen strewn with bottles of whiskey and a period rain-lamp will be sold to the highest bidder after the play is over.

"Who Killed Santa Claus?" was originally set in England, but Carter decided to relocate the play to the City by the Bay.

"Choosing to change it to San Francisco in 1970 gave me the added joy of working with the clothing styles and special feel of the era," Carter said.

The action all takes place in the residence of Barbara Love, the star of a local children's television program, on the occasion of Love's annual Christmas Eve dinner for a few close co-workers — her secretary, director, producer, makeup man, etc.

Just before the party starts, some unusual unsigned letters and odd phone messages arrive, suggesting someone plans to kill her before the night is over.

Love is ably played by Sharon McLeod, a tall, good-looking blonde, turning in her debut theater role. "I didn't expect to get a role — and certainly not the lead. This has been the best experience of my life!" McLeod says in the printed program's cast biographies.

Katrina McCaffrey provides a strong supporting role as Catrina McCaffrey, Love's secretary and general factotum. The two exchange the tightest, fastest bits of comic dialog in the opening sequences of this play.

Kevin Heller provides another stand-out performance as Love's gay makeup man and hairdresser, Ray Lacey. I conclude "gay" based on the delightful purple velvet pants suit thing and frilly white blouse he wore and the, "Oh-darling-did-you-see-those-shoes!" voice Heller affected. He was terrific.

All the actors performed well, giving the audience more than their money's worth. They included Brian Monette, John Buffey and Timothy Frather.

Also notable was Ted Shadle, who plays the part of Donald Lewis. His acting skills have widened considerably since last I saw him playing Sitting Bull in "Annie Get Your Gun." That role, as I recall, offered Shadle a few spoken lines, much grunting, many opportunities to nod in agreement and not much else. This time out, he spread his wings a trifle more and did a good job of it.

Plus there was Alex Cesena, a seasoned product of the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts. He plays a hippie photographer clad in a tie-dyed T-shirt and bell-bottoms who crashes Barbara Love's dinner party with a hidden agenda in mind.

For his supporting role performance in this mystery-comedy, Cesena deserves the highest praise actors ever give one another: "He hit his marks, knew his lines and delivered them on time."

But, folks, there was one itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy technical which cropped up in this otherwise fine play that I should mention. If I didn't, I could be drummed out of the theater critic business and would deserve it, too. It went like this.

McLeod and McCaffrey were deep in conversation as their characters, TV personality Love and her secretary McCaffrey, when music suddenly broke out, only to be immediately squelched. The actors froze with puzzled looks on their faces.

After a brief pause, McLeod said something to the effect that it appeared someone was at the door. Then another quickly strangled musical outburst occurred. McLeod followed it by saying she should see who was there.

The audience loved it and gave it the most laughs and best hand of the evening, and it all came out OK. Show people, you see, know how to roll with the punches.

"Who Killed Santa Claus?" continues through Dec. 20, with shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and matinees at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15. TAC is located at 815 B St., Yuba City.