BWW Reviews: HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS at Theatre Off Jackson

Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt are back once again this holiday season with the tenth installment of their irreverent Christmas show, "Ham for the Holidays: Wham Bam, Thank You Ham!" And if you think you've seen everything these comedic mavens have to offer then you don't know pork!

The show, much like previous "Ham for the Holidays" shows is a stunning array of deliciously off color characters and parodies from the minds of Koch and Platt who for the past 20 years have worked together under the moniker of "Dos Fallopia". And along this madcap ride with them are Michael Oaks and music director D.J. Gommels who only add to the hilarity. They give us everything from an undead send up of pop TV, to a Pride filled presentation from the Sequim Gay Men's Chorus to a lesson of alternative fuel options from the way out there Muds. And of course what would a show of theirs be without a visit from the Spudds? And this time Mama Euomi has come up with her own interpretation of Roman and Egyptian history with "Spuddacus". I don't want to give too much away but let me say, raunch and raucousness are alive and well in the work of Koch and Platt.

The entire cast of only four (although it seems like 20) shine all night long. Oaks brings a whole new meaning to the term "fruit" with his Ben Spuddacus. Gommels not only keeps the music moving right along but lends his own hilarity to characters such as his jaded men's chorus leader. And those are just a taste of the wonderful characters these two men bring to gut busting life. And then there's authors Koch and Platt themselves. What can one say but "WOW! "? The roller coaster ride of hysteria doesn't stop from the time the lights come down to the final bow. But I have to say the topper of the evening was the final entry from the Spudds which had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe at times.

Complete with brilliant holiday comic memories from comedians past to cover the scene changes and a perfect use of projections, Dos Fallopia have once again brought their own special flavor of mirth mixed with crassness to the Christmas season. Something we could all use in the midst of our overly busy schedules. So leave the kids at home with Grandma (or depending on the Grandma bring her with you) and step up for a heaping helping of Christmas Ham that won't leave you with a case of indigestion.

"Ham for the Holidays: Wham Bam, Thank You Ham!" plays at Theatre Off Jackson through December 24th. For tickets and information contact www.brownpapertickets.com or phone them at 1-800-838-3006.

Photo Credit: Heather Trimm

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