STAGE REVIEW
'Forgotten' simple, hopeful work

By Joseph T. Rozmiarek
Advertiser Drama Critic

Vanita Rae Smith has compiled a collection of nontraditional readings and familiar choral music for a seasonal production at Fort Shafter's Richardson Theatre. Entitled "Christmas Forgotten," the performance is a low-key antidote to holiday stress and may even lower your blood pressure.

The people match the humble environment: There are a few parents with small children, a bench-sitter and a group of carolers. It seems they've all made time for a thoughtful stroll or, perhaps, they simply may have no place else to go and nothing else to do. But there is no spiritual depression here. The tone is introspective and hopeful, without a hint of commercial bustling.

Dean Turner supplies the voice from the park bench, connecting the numbers with bits of narrative and reading the opening meditation that links music to the spiritual life force that reveals God's continuing presence.

Ella Edwards sings a sweet solo to a small child with "God Gave the Son."

Sue Nada sprinkles salt on the icy sidewalks, rummages through trash cans and reads a charming version of "My Little Mickey," in which an old dog goes to heaven and becomes a playful pup whose exuberance affronts the angels.

Jayme Shirrell, Roselani Pelayan and Kari Sweeny read a narrative of fragile friendship between two young girls, centering on their playtime version of the Christmas story: "This time, I'll be Joseph and get to tell you what to do."

Richard Pellett counters with "Joseph of Nazareth," which presents Mary's husband as the forgotten figure in the stable and a precursor of the modern dads who wait helplessly outside of hospital delivery rooms and are overlooked at their daughters' weddings.

Daniel Calderon, as a homesick sailor, does an effective low-key interpretation of "Truce in the Forest," a World War II story set in a French country farmhouse. In it, a woman shelters both American and German soldiers on Christmas Eve, creating a personal armistice with her stern direction and insight that they are all simply cold and frightened boys.

Jo Pruden narrates "A Christmas Guest," illustrating that no kindness to the least of God's children goes unnoticed. Pruden is also joined by Pellett and Michael Yasunaga for "A Christmas Memory," in which an old woman and a young boy refuse to allow worldly poverty to create a poverty of spirit.

Between the readings, the St. Francis Carolers perform "Silent Night," "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and other favorites. While the group would benefit from more rehearsal, their genuineness adds naivete to the production's simple message.nd while the show is somewhat swallowed up by the large Richardson Theater, one senses its readings would play well on a church tour, augmented by local choirs.

Joseph T. Rozmiarek is The Advertiser's drama critic.