Franks Christmas 2010 4 stars
Franks Christmas 2010 4 stars
Written by: Warren Gerds
Let Me Be Franks Productions’ Christmas show is a bit more meaningful this year because it has a meatier story to go along with the musical showcases.
Troupe namesake Frank Hermans plays Old Man Jenkins, 67, who spends winter at his ice fishing shanty on Shawano Lake, often with his buddy Plansky (Tom Verbrick). Jenkins has been widowed 12 years. He still talks to his wife.
Jenkins is pestered by a bunch of kids — as much as Frank’s cast can be kids — cousins who come each year to visit their grandmother, who lost her husband in the Vietnam War.
From California are three kids, played by Joy Rockstroh, Pat Hibbard and David Gusloff. From New Jersey are two kids who are Jewish, played by Amy Riemer and Paul Evansen.
Jenkins has a serious case of the grumps, and the kids work on him to lighten his way.
Hermans is featured three times going deep with his Elvis voice, notably in his first song, the touching “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees.”
While the show contains many holiday tunes, most are sung in new arrangements. One of the beauties finds Riemer’s sweet, ringing voice singing “Silent Night” as Gusloff adds a layer of another song in a difficult duet.
Having Jewish characters adds dimension, plus Evansen has the opportunity to leap into the rhythmic, revealing “Chanukah Song.”
Hibbard’s songs rock, including a treatment of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Verbrick supplies comic byplay and the peppy “Rootin’ Tootin’ Santa.”
Rockstroh is a newcomer to the troupe but obviously not to performing. Her songs are holiday favorites, sung brightly with a beaming smile. She fits right in with the troupe’s antics, which can go any which way on any night.
