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Tinamarie Ivey
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The Tannenbalm Sisters’ Holiday Show
Arcata Playhouse
The Tannenbalm Sisters’ Holiday Show is a raucous, devised production blending the over-the-top charm of The Osmonds with the quirky, irreverent humor of Wayne’s World. Performed live in front of an audience, this mock cable variety show is a high-energy spectacle featuring a cast of actors skilled in commedia dell’arte and clowning, bringing physical comedy and heightened characters to life.
At the center of the chaos are the Tannenbalm Sisters, an eccentric sibling trio determined to revive their family’s legacy with a holiday show that’s equal parts heartfelt and hilariously dysfunctional. Live music underscores the action, with the cast performing original songs that range from cheesy holiday jingles to absurdly heartfelt ballads. Skits and faux-commercials punctuate the variety acts, parodying everything from infomercials to melodramatic holiday skits.
The comedic elements thrive on the Tannenbalm family's exaggerated dynamic: a controlling eldest sister desperate for perfection, a flamboyant middle sibling vying for the spotlight, and a reluctant youngest sister constantly undermining the whole affair. Their sibling rivalries spill over into every segment, turning even the simplest carol into a slapstick extravaganza.
The show’s devised nature shines through its interactive moments, with audience members pulled into the hilarity as reluctant participants or unwitting "guests." The commedia dell’arte roots infuse each character with bold physicality and archetypal energy, while the clowning expertise keeps the comedic timing sharp and unpredictable.
The Tannenbalm Sisters’ Holiday Show is an irreverent, laugh-out-loud celebration of the holidays, full of awkward family tension, unpredictable antics, and a genuine sense of chaotic joy, leaving audiences in stitches and thoroughly in the festive spirit.