‘ Tis the season for Christmas shows to abound, and Theatre West has come up with a doozy, marrying murder to jolly St. Nick and the happy returns of the season. In my view, this play has an unnecessarily long title, but at least you’re sure what you’re getting into. The God-damn People Down the Hall (Oh…and Merry Christmas) is surprising, though, because it is a tightly plotted murder mystery/comedy featuring a well-developed family, each with his/her problem areas. My favorites are two young women, the responsible Dana (Liv Denevi) and her pouty younger sister, Sydney (Sam Gregory). The two share a particularly true-to-life conciliatory scene that made me think that playwright Mark Wilding must have been listening outside his kids’ bedroom door. Waiting for the play to begin, the opening Christmas-y light show, brilliantly conceived by David P. Johnson, creates the mood, helped along by the appropriate musical composite designed by Johnson with the help of director, Charlie Mount.
It’s Dana’s apartment shared with her fiance’, the stalwart Chad (Cecil Hemmings). They will get married. That is, they are planning to get married. The plans are presently topping $100k, but luckily ol’ Dad (Steve Nevil) is good for it. Also luckily, practical Mom (Jill Remez), just wants the wedding to go forward, so she’s on board, too. As the family assembles for its Christmas celebration, we also get to know Sydney’s wacky boyfriend (deliciously played by Dave Kumar). Soon he will become the catalyst that propels the family beyond their insular condo and into the business of the couple down the hall (Hence, the title). It doesn’t seem right to reveal anymore, except to say that Prescilliana Esparolini as Lucinda and John Combs as Officer Hoyt are important foils for the rest of the action.
Playwright Mark Wilding doesn’t skip a beat to lead us to the final, by turns hilarious and hair-raising, moments. All in all, there is never a dropped moment from beginning to end of this light-hearted but deadly production. The pacing is crisp; the production elements are well integrated. Theatre West is known for its depth of talent among its ranks, and this production proves the point. Director Charlie Mount excels at staging mayhem, and there’s plenty here. For a great, good (irreverent) time, you can’t beat “The God-damn People Down the Hall”…. & etc.
The God-damn People Down the Hall (Oh…and Merry Christmas) continues at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles, 90068, running Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm through December 15th , 2024. Tickets, $35 in advance; $40 at the door. For information, call (323) 76851-4839, with online ticketing: https://theatrewest.org.
