Merry Mid-Century at the Found Theatre

[aesop_image imgwidth=”300px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-08-at-4.04.06-PM.png” credit=”Photo by Monique Hilliard ” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”Virginia DeMoss (Loretta Young) and Derek Long (Robert Goulet) in the Found Theatre’s Merry Mid-Century” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] [aesop_character name=”Anita W. Harris” caption=”Culture Writer” align=”right” force_circle=”off”] Do you need an express route to Christmas spirit? Are you ready to go retro to get there? Then catch Merry Mid-Century at the Found Theatre, through Dec. 18, for a flashback to the kind of all-star television holiday musical special that might have warmed your living room as a child, whether in the 1950s or another decade. Only now you’re an adult and can enjoy the cattiness and cheesiness of yesteryear’s legendary performers, even as you sway and sing along.
The television stage is set for this sentimental journey, cozily decorated with a redbrick fireplace, tinseled tree and a red velvet-covered sofa, evoking the perfect Americana Christmas that may never have existed except on our screens. The performers don velvety, sequined evening wear, with fur stoles and sparkly broaches for the ladies and ruffled shirts and tuxedos for the men.
Elegant Loretta Young (Virginia DeMoss) along with plastic-haired, suave and smarmy Robert Goulet (Derek Long) host an all-star cast of singers during the course of an hour. Rosemary Clooney (Joyce Hackett) performs “Let It Snow” (with special effects by Goulet) and a lively “Common On-A My House” with candy kisses. Kerry Getz plays the Lennon Sisters (yes, all four of them), as well as Peggy Lee, as whom she sings a sensual and smooth knock-out version of “Fever.” Johnny Cash (Marc Davidson) and June Carter (Pattie Davidson) on guitar do an amazing rendition of “Ring of Fire.” And Derek Long trades his plastic hair for a raccoon cap as Davy Crockett, and then shiny tuxedo pants as an over-the-top Liberace (though with a menorah on his piano instead of candelabra). Long clearly enjoys hamming it up as Liberace, whose flamboyance includes well-placed silver bells that jingle during the ensemble final number.
A very special appearance by birthday boy Jesus (yes, that Jesus), unassumingly played by Ron Grigsby, is an unexpected highlight. There to promote his new Christmas album (because carpentry was really his stepfather’s thing) and accompanied on piano by Liberace (his new lounge player BFF), he sings in a clear tenor “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” somewhat ironically blurring the meaning of Christmas between himself, Santa Claus and holiday commercialization.
That commercial aspect of Christmas is reinforced by a television screen above the stage running black-and-white ads for everything from decorated boxes of Lucky Strike cigarettes that would look perfect under the tree, to boxes of Fab laundry detergent with Christmas dolls inside, to life-sized walking dolls for children. As you marvel at the products pitched back then, you may wonder how the gadgets we covet now will be perceived in 60 years.
But what you’ll be left with after these lovely musical performances by the Foundlings is the holiday spirit you might remember from your childhood, when it was warm inside and cold outside and Santa was sure to deliver all your favorite toys from TV and you could fall asleep humming the Christmas tunes of your favorite singers, before you knew what you know now.
Merry Mid-Century continues at the Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., through Dec. 18, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2:30pm (except Dec. 11). Tickets are $8 to $15. For reservations and information, call (562) 433-3363 or visit foundtheatre.org.