Fantasy, Humor, and Music in OTC’s Holiday Show

While it is always special watching timeless Christmas stories presented in San Diego County, such as “A Christmas Carol” and The Old Globe’s production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, I really enjoy seeing new Christmas tales. A strong modern comedy that embraces the holiday season is the world premiere production of Manny and the Wise Queens, from Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC).

Set on Christmas Eve in 2020, Manny (Ali Nelson) is a recent high school graduate who lives in Bethlehem, USA. An aspiring DJ, the talented artist shows signs of being depressed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As he spends time alone in his room, he meets two wise queens, Ella (Taylor Henderson) and Gladiolus (Diane Yvette).

The royal women inform Manny that they were sent to help him complete a big task, that is not initially clear to the trio.

One of the strongest elements of Idris Goodwin’s script is his ability to create strong characters. He gets a lot of laughs from how Manny’s guarded and grounded personality contrasts from his mystical larger-than-life friends (the costumes from Carmen Amon perfectly suit the fantastical queens).

Nelson, Henderson, and Yvette share a believable rapport with each other during the events of the show. They portray very different individuals who somehow develop a meaningful bond throughout the fateful evening.

Goodwin’s messages are uplifting ones about the importance of creativity and human connections. His themes contribute to the generally upbeat tone of the piece.

There is a crucial discussion towards the end where it feels like the events are building to an extended climax. Instead, the situation is resolved neatly and conveniently, which makes that section of the narrative feel rushed.

Fortunately, the conclusion does end strongly with a touching resolution that ties into Manny’s growth as a person.

All of the conversations that take place on December 24th are consistently engaging, thanks to director, Jacole Kitchen. This does not only apply to Manny’s talks with Ella and Gladiolus, but also an extended back and forth between the “musician” and a witty criminal dressed up as Santa Claus (played by Yvette).

Important visual elements are Reiko Huffman’s set, which features a few surprising transitions after a lengthy prologue, and Artistic Director, Kevin “Blax” Burroughs’ lighting, which enhances various emotional moments that are uplifting and occasionally sad.

Manny… is a play with music, and there is a strong mix of a capella singing and hip-hop versions of classic Christmas songs. Musical sequences, including “Up on the Housetop,” “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” “The First Noel,” along with some new tunes sound great because of the powerful vocals from the cast, Desha Crownover’s musical direction, Eliza Vedar’s audio, and Miki Vale’s original electronic music.

Kitchen’s production succeeds at presenting a fresh festive tale that manages to be current and is still full of yuletide cheer. Despite dealing with a serious period of history, the adventure is ultimately a tribute to hope, perseverance, and meaningful relationships.

Show times are Monday at 8:00 pm, Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm.