Fruitcake Follies Lives On In Its 12th Great Year

Fruitcake Follies /directed by James Gray /Casita del Campo, Silver Lake

through Tuesday, December 14; also December 22 @ 8 pm

It's hard to believe, but the fiercely fruity hit Fruitcake Follies is celebrating its 12th birthday, having originated in Hollywood at the Cinegrill, and now in its permanent residence in the basement of a Mexican restaurant in Silver Lake. About as original as you'll find anywhere, the show's genius is James Gray, who serves as host, and costars the one and only Momma ... and this year Eric Seppala and Sandy Fox. Guest stars are Leslie Carrara and puppet pet Lolly and Melanie Hutsell as chef Paula Deen.

Set in the form of a party at Gray's home, guests drop by one by one, and silliness runs wild. Carrara and Lolly are hilarious with their crazy versions of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Silent Night". Think Lambchop (Remember Shari Lewis' prize?), only louder and more outspoken & feisty, and there's Lolly! Eric Seppala drops by as a caroler - a comical one man band - and delights on a doll duet with Barbra Streisand "Jingle Bells", asthma and alL. Sandy Fox, not unlike a petite Megan Mullally, sings a perky "Blue Christmas" and tells campy jokes like "Does Santa like Twinkies? No, he prefers Ho Hos." They get friskier, but if you want to hear the others, go and enjoy! Gray's cousin Danielle, a surprise guest, performs a truly naughty "My Favorite Things". And Melanie Hutsell is a big, big surprise as she recreates chef Paula Deen and tries out some holiday recipes on the audience. I don't want to ruin the fun by mentioning the scrumptious goodies here, but I left with a whole new feeling about butter and how to use it! She's over-the-top delightful! Of course, Gray shows us some adorable family slides of Christmases past; Momma has her camp Sing a Long, passes out Christmas cookies, and sings about wanting plastic surgery for Christmas ... and there's a very special storybook retelling of A Christmas Carol with one very exciting Carol at the finale.
This is one helluva ride, replete with a blutiful set, and great costuming. Momma's frocks - and Gray's gaudy vests - keep coming and coming...ands she even makes out with Santa under the mistletoe. Momma Kissing Santa Claus puts the ho in ho, ho, ho!
Only a few shows remaining. If you miss it, there's always the Firecracker Follies to look forward to late June, early July; this year for two weeks, by popular demand.
So treat yourselves, get to Casita del Campo, have a margarita or two and relish the Fruitcake Follies!

visit their website:

fruitcakefollies.com