Christmas: a time when families gather to share the joy they find in the holiday season and each other … well, at least in theory.
At the Gorski home in Pittsburgh, where pictures of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the Last Supper proclaim the family’s staunch Catholic beliefs, Christmas is about God — and you better believe it!
However, when son Andy, a New York copywriter, returns home with his fiance Randi, God, Christmas and family ties are put to the test in the Edge of the World Theatre’s production of “Greetings!”
Written by Tom Dudzick, “Greetings!” is a wise and thought-provoking holiday comedy. Directed by Michael Kelley, the ensemble performance is top-notch, with each cast member embracing his or her role with ease, energy and a genuine honesty that says something special to the audience.
Patriarch Phil Gorski (Buddy Mahoney) is a large barrel of a man, who once aspired to be a major league baseball pitcher, yet now seems perpetually angry that the world passed him by. He towers over longsuffering yet still feisty wife Emily, who suffers from an occasional attack of deafness — when necessary. Phil does, however, have a soft side that emerges when he’s with his mentally handicapped adult son Mickey (Rob MacGregor).
Shortly after Andy (Frank Lawler) arrives, it’s obvious that Randi (Jennifer Michele) is about to strike out with the Gorskis: Strike one — she’s Jewish.
“Only thing worst than that,” says Phil, “is an atheist” … which she also is — strike two.
Strike three — Randi hasn’t talked to her parents in three years. For the family-oriented Phil, this is too much.
Thus the battle begins between parent and child, family beliefs and personal rights, and tradition and new beginnings. Somehow, like most strong families, the Gorskis struggle through — yelling, screaming, holding on to each other and laughing — until they realize the true value of family, love and faith from an unusual source.
All the actors are outstanding — but MacGregor is amazing as Mickey. Mickey, whose head bobs and nods and whose fingers twitch, and who laughs in loud bursts, never speaks except to say, “Oh, boy!” or “oh, oh, oh.” However, before this Christmas Eve is over, Mickey is expounding the wisdom of the ages, with such remarks as “Change a little bit a day to achieve peace” and “Choose not to get caught in someone else’s drama.” Mickey is suddenly the one challenging each one’s convictions.
How he does it is a mystery you’ll have to see to understand. However, MacGregor is so amazing, Dustin Hoffman’s “Rain Man” has nothing on him. The versatility demanded by the role is challenging, and MacGregor does it with ease.
Lynnie Ford is a writer for The Herald in Everett.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
