Who’s Holiday!—Triangle Productions!—NE Portland

“It’s Getting to Look a Lot Like [#&!*^%!] Christmas”

    This adult comedy is written by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Donald Horn.  It is playing at their space in The Sanctuary, 1785 NE Sandy Blvd. (free parking lot to the West of the bldg.), through December 15^th.  For more information, go to their site at www.trianglepro.com or call 503-239-5919.

    It’s time for a little rhyme with Christmastime upon us.  In this case, the most innocent of all creatures to represent it---Cindy Lou Who (Daria Eliuk), now all grown up, from Dr. Seuss’s Grinch stories.  In case you don’t know, The Grinch is a type of green goblin creature that steals Christmas from Whoville but, being captivated by a little blonde girl named, Cindy Lou, his heart increases in size and he returns all the goodies he has stolen. 

    Well, if you think you’ve heard the whole story, folks, hold on to your hats, ‘cause you ain’t heard nuthin’ yet!  It seems that little girl is now an adult and has been living in a trailer park for some time.  She, at this point, is expecting some folks for a Christmas party, so chooses to entertain us with the tale of her life until they arrive.  And what a life it has been!  Closer in content to black lagoons than Disney castles.

    Really can’t tell you too much without spoiling the plot, but it seems that she and the Grinch became friends…until they weren’t.  And her close relationship with her parents, and other citizens of Whoville was solid…until it wasn’t.  And Mr. G’s faithful dog, Max, became a thing of the (re)past.  And her only solace in recent years has become a distant memory.  And so, in short, she is alone at Christmastime, with only her bitter-sweet memories for company…that is until she discovers…but that would be telling, wouldn’t it?!

    These holidays are, as even Dickens concluded, as well, with his classic tale of redemption, something that science can’t measure, something from the heart.  And it is true what is said, that giving raises the spirit much more than receiving.  And sometimes, that Giving, doesn’t involve riches of the pocketbook, but just being there and having a sympathetic ear for a troubled soul.  So, with all the turmoil that surrounds us now, we might look to the innocent for guidance.  It is said that, a child shall lead us, and so, as young, Anne Frank, surmised, when immersed in the horrors of the Nazi regime, “…I still believe that people are basically good.”  Out of the mouth of babes…!

    Once again, Horn has given us something to ponder, as well as entertaining us.  It may be irreverent, and through the backdoor, so to speak, but there are lessons to be learned here, too.  And Daria is amazing as the title character.  She is witty, biting, thoughtful, vulnerable and, quite simply, seems an awfully lot like us and people we know.  She is a treasure!  www.dariaeliuk.com 

    In tribute to the verse script, perhaps, a parting thought:

Cindy Lou!  Cindy Lou!

How blue!  How blue!

Does the Past define you,

Or the Future,

As to the Who you want to be?!

Or, if rhyming is not your timing,

And Facts more your tact…heed these words:

“Be brave.  Be curious.  Be determined.”  (Dr. Stephen Hawking)

    I recommend this show.  If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS