Vox Nova’s first fully staged production is artistic director Ruff Yeager’s new opus “Not-So-Tiny Tim’s Great Big Musical,” based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” With three Scrooges/Ghosts and the grown-up Tiny Tim portrayed as nasty and miserly and loveless, it plays through Dec. 23 at 6th at Penn Theatre in San Diego’s Hillcrest. The family-appropriate show has an appealing, homegrown feel to it, like Mickey and Judy hired a barn for the holidays, wallpapered some flats and ” aside from those who really know their way around a stage ” cast their show with Iowa farmhands, albeit dressed in Mary Larson’s fetching and sometimes fabulous costumes. Except for Tiny Tim, all the roles are doubled and tripled and so forth. The protagonist is Not-So-Tiny Tim as played by Fred Harlow. Though rife with the actor’s trademark mugging, the performance grows in depth and the ability to make one tear up as Tim’s redemption begins building. Harlow sings better than ever under the tutelage of Yeager, who wrote book, music and lyrics. If something goes wrong, as it did on opening night, Nov. 24, Yeager just keeps ringing those keyboard Christmas bells until the action may proceed. Quite Mickey and Judy, indeed. Another endearing part of the show was the adorable young girl who came up on the stage to lead the audience in “Jingle Bells.”
The presence of versatile, rubber-bodied Jason Conners is a real asset. Ria Carey, a bona fide musical comedy gem, dances, sings and zips her way into one’s heart in multiple roles, and most especially as the Ghost of Christmas Past. I’d quite literally forgotten how good she is. And when razzmatazz John Martin takes the stage as the smarmy Ghost of Christmas Present ” clad in rhinestone jacket with a kid’s xylophone mallet as a microphone ” it’s sheer delight.
Yeager’s close harmony is well written and well performed, and I especially enjoyed “La Fiesta de la Buena Noche,” “It’s a Christmas Song” and “Funny,” impressively sung by Jessica Lerner in her portrayal of Tiny Tim’s neglected fiancée. Olivia Espinosa contributes much in multiple roles that include Mrs. Castillo, Tiny Tim’s overworked employee. In his robust, lovely baritone, Yeager starts off the final song of the evening, “Sing Noel,” and is gradually joined by the others. Joy, camaraderie and goodwill abound here in this shoestring work performed in a diminutive space and cobbled together by Yeager, his company and director Susan Stratton. It may be corny, but it’s intimate, fun and appropriate for the entire family, from grandparents to little ones.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, with 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 6th@Penn (Sixth at Pennsylvania), 3704 Sixth Ave., Hillcrest (allow plenty of time for parking, paid lots at adjacent bank and across the street). For tickets ($10-$24) and information, visit www.voxnovatheatrecompany.com or call (858) 539-6251.