“Christmas with the Crawfords” now playing at the Bruka Theatre is an unmistakably holiday camp performance.
It's based on the real life of Hollywood actress Joan Crawford who had a topsy turvy career and family life.
The show is sure to make you laugh nonstop with satirical humor throughout and parodies of other ‘Golden Age’ celebrities such as Judy Garland and Katherine Hepburn.
Based loosely on the real radio broadcast of the Crawford family on Christmas Eve, the plot follows the recently washed-up Joan Crawford in an attempt to re-establish relevancy in Hollywood.
However, Joan's dysfunctional family has other ideas and the family feuds are endless.
In this play, the Bruka Theatre embodies the 1940s era with glamorous and glittery atmosphere and costumes.
One can't help but admire the details and quality of some of the actor’s dresses such as the elegant purple dress Joann Crawford wears in the opening or Carmen Miranda's (played by John Wade) over-the-top flashy golden dress and their feathery fruity headpiece.
The bold voices of talented local actors are unforgettable, such as Bradford Ka'ai'ai who plays the lead.
He is a Washoe County School District Theater Arts educator who has been involved in the theater community in Reno since 1994.
The Bruka Theatre will only perform a total of 15 performances, and seating is limited. So make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity to watch a unique performance in a comfortable intimate space. The show runs for 90 minutes and tickets are $35 or $31 with applicable student, senior, or military ID online, or $40 at the door. All main evening performances begin at 7:30 and late admittance will not be allowed. The Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 pm.
Review and photos by Nancy Vazquez
