A Kidman Carol at Alleyway Theatre

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“What started off as a joke is now an irreverent comedy loosely based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Brilliant actress and Hollywood Scrooge Cate Blanchett (“Tár Humbug!”) is visited by three different spirits of fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman in order to learn the true meaning of Awards Season. A Kidman Carol is a vicious, chaotic farce that sends up Tár, The Hours, Carol, The Lord of The Rings, The Undoing, The Others, Notes on a Scandal, Blue Jasmine, Big Little Lies, and so much more from the Kidman/Blanchett canon. Ohr nohr!”

Review:

“Ohr nohr!” Two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett has left the cinematic screen and graced the stage at Alleyway Theater. Kevin Zak, who wrote and directed this Charles Dickens-inspired satire, offers a unique take on the true meaning of… The Oscars. If you’re expecting a traditional telling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, you’ll find that next door in Alleyway Theatre’s mainstage space. However, if you’re seeking a non-traditional, heartwarming Christmas story that’s mood-lifting and a laugh-out-loud, non-stop comedic masterpiece, then this is the show for you. Zak’s script transports the audience into the world of Cate Blanchett’s “Tár Humbug” during an “Oscar season.”

Jason Michael Snow, who plays Cate Blanchett, does a brilliant job portraying her masculine, lesbian-like, Australian persona (an inside joke for when you see the show). Snow outdid himself with a captivating performance that could have easily been a one-person show. However, the production is beautifully written and features a stellar cast of raunchy and spectacular actors who bring the story to life, extending the show beyond just a Blanchett showcase. Snow, leading the show as Blanchett, uses the stage to its fullest, making a swift exit (no spoilers included), which shatters the fourth wall and adds an interactive element to the experience.

Shannon Mullen, who plays Nicole Kidman, is the ghost of Oscars past, present, and future. Mullen excels in portraying the other Australian actress in her various interpretive roles. Mullen is clearly having a tremendous time in this role and lets loose, embracing the intentional flexibility of the Aussie accent.

Here are the key Nicole Kidman references:

AMC Nicole Kidman – Oscar’s Past

Satine (Moulin Rouge) – Oscar’s Present

Margot (Margot at the Wedding) – Oscar’s Yet to Come

Billy Griffin Jr. plays a variety of characters, with notable portrayals of Audrey Hepburn, who visits a disoriented Blanchett, as well as The Hot One’s Sean Evans. Griffin does a fantastic job of playing multiple characters, having fun with each one.

Jeremy Kreuzer also takes on various characters, including a “twink” aspiring to tell the story of what it’s like to be a white actor in America, and the “not-gay Ryan Seacrest.” Kreuzer, no stranger to Buffalo’s stage after his recent work in Shipwrecked! at Roadless Travel, continues to shine with his versatility and knack for transforming into a variety of roles.

Madeline Rehm (Terese, also known as Tiramisu, Tom, Toyota, etc.) delivers a cute and entertaining performance in her roles. Rehm channels an Andy Sachs-like persona (Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada) as Cate Blanchett’s personal assistant and aspiring Annie Leibovitz photographer.

The show clearly wouldn’t have stood out without the behind-the-scenes work of Emma Schimminger, whose technical expertise in storytelling seamlessly transported the characters from scene to scene. The costuming, hair, and makeup by Ann Emo also played a key role, with Kidman’s multiple outfit and wig changes beautifully curated throughout the performance. As well as K Gorny’s stage management.

This show is edgy, campy, and provocative. It feels like an improv show, which is no complaint at all. The production offers an oddly unique perspective that could work in many ways—perhaps even as an ongoing series of variety sketches. Sincerely, this show was witty, salaciously delicious, and brought me pure joy. Much like the young Buffalo kid who inspired Blanchett to do better, this show reminded me of my ongoing love for performative, sketchy, and satirical shows. Zak reminds us that not everything needs to be serious and dramatic; sometimes, you just need a good 80-minute show that brings you to laughter, filled with plenty of pop-culture references that may be hard to understand for a more reclusive audience.

Do not miss this one. Purchase your tickets today at Alleyway Theatre by visiting their website at alleyway.com or visiting their box office. Show runs from December 12-21st.