Sorry! Wrong Chimney!' a right place to be
By Anne Ritchie

An oversupply of Santas calls for an overabundance of laughter in Blackhorse Village Players' newest production.

Leo W. Sears and Jack Sharkey's Sorry! Wrong Chimney! contains all the elements of success. Joys of Christmas spirits, riotous action, talent, romance and laughter, tied up in a package befitting the season.

The most sparkling presence is that of Samantha Tuttle (Ashleigh Marshall), a newlywed with stars in her eyes that most likely are the only item that outshines her festive wardrobe. She is outspoken, intuitive and quick-thinking. However, when it comes to the nightly whereabouts of her husband David, she comes to the wrong conclusion. Marshall fits into the versatile role easily that has Samantha creating a madcap scheme which will, she believes, secure her husband's affections forever.

Natalie, a caring and sympathetic neighbor, played competently by Jeanette Massicotte is a bubbly romantic, but when she becomes part of a secret Christmas present, the road to romance takes a wrong turn. Massicotte buzzes about the stage, unwittingly blundering into secrets and comic situations at every turn. She has an endearingly innocent and spontaneous manner. No wonder she warns Samantha of a Santa Burglar on the loose, and for good reason. However, there's more secrets to unearth in this play than you can ever expect.

In his debut as the Santa Burglar Kris Kreigle, Ross Jackson offers an enthusiastic performance that adds greatly to the merriment and fun of this production. Kreigle is the Robin Hood of Santas, stealing from those poor in spirit to reward the richly blessed in Christmas spirit. The plot tilts accordingly, with a mistake in identity capping the success of Sorry! Wrong Chimney!

Certainly David Tuttle (Larry Hines) understands innocence, based on his own secret activities. He stretches the laughs to the utmost with his harried good intentions and patient, befuddled expression. Though innocence is certainly his virtue, what he doesn't understand is why his good neighbor Bill is persistently found in strange places: on his couch, in his bedroom, and in probably the most laughable moment of the play, in his shoes. Hines has given many a good performance at Blackhorse - eight, to be exact, and this time is no different. While neighbor Bill is unwillingly filling his shoes, Tuttle is moonlighting as Santa, and chaos ensues with the discovery that he's not the only Santa in the house.

Bill (Greg CeBelak) is desperately trying to ensure romance prevails for his neighbors and with use of secret methods, he fails spectacularly. CeBelak mixes frustrated desperation with spectacular failure in such measure that the laughter explodes. CeBelak has put a decade of acting experience and talent into the role, and the audience is rewarded with a highly entertaining comedy.

The comedy culminates when Santa's helper, played by Pam Cooper, appears. Cooper expertly adds her own twist to the plot, spinning the comedy into another turn of events. She clears up matters and complicates them further, and the audience, appreciative of the talented newcomer to Blackhorse, has her full attention as she steers the madcap adventure to a surprise conclusion.

The laughter peaks with the entrance of John Rowe, a police officer whose duty it is to serve and protect and keep the peace. As with everything else in this comedy, appearances are deceiving. Rowe presents us with an officer who serves drinks and (attempts to) protect his dignity. He does keep the piece of clothing that serves to protect his dignity, but everything else is left to a highly entertaining performance that has the audience laughing far past the moment this wonderful comedy comes to an end.

Producer Chandra Mulder, Director Diana Crabtree, and stage manager Kate Horzempa are to be congratulated for bringing such enjoyable entertainment to the Blackhorse stage. It's a wonderful way to start your Christmas season.

Find out for yourself by calling (905) 880-5002 and get a ticket to Sorry, Wrong Chimney! The final performances run Nov. 22, 23 and 24.