Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s holiday show is emotional, the music from the Great American Songbook, the dancing jaw-dropping

By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news

Corny, heartfelt, delightful.

“Pine Mountain Lodge,” the newest offering at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, is a play that tugs at a range of emotions. At times it’s laugh-out-loud funny, other times shadowed with despair.

Set in New York’s Catskill Mountains in December 1948, “Pine Mountain” revolves around Danny, an Air Force veteran who’s recently returned from flying bombers in World War II. As the play begins, the lodge’s traditional Christmas holiday show is just days away.

Danny, however, plans to sell the lodge to pay off its enormous debt. Working to reverse that outcome are the haunted hotel’s two quarreling ghosts, who during their living years were lovers and famous dance partners. The ghostly denizens, Edie Allen and George Edwards, put aside their personal squabbles to work together to rekindle Danny’s youthful growing-up memories, desperately trying to convince him to put on one last show they hope will save the hotel.

Ghosts add life to story

The script, written by the Cabaret’s managing director, Rick Robinson, weaves through things real and surreal. The ghosts are part of a multidimensional story that makes “Pine Mountain” come alive.

“This is a heart show for both Val and I,” said Robinson, who worked with his wife Valerie Rachelle, the show’s director, to create the script. “It’s something we created very early in our tenure at the Cabaret, and it was a piece we worked on together.”

A personal back story

Robinson and Rachelle had been planning to take over the Cabaret from Jim Giancarlo, the theater’s artistic director, who died unexpectedly in 2014. When the play had its world premiere in 2016, Robinson noted, “every story you tell has to be personal,” referring to Giancarlo. He also explained the story “is about someone who endures enormous pressure after taking over this sacred space (the lodge) from a beloved figure, which is certainly something Val and I can relate to.”

The current version adds some differences. As Robinson explained, “For this new version, we did some heavy rewriting, especially in the second act, and with the help of musical director Sarah Wussow, changed a majority of the musical numbers in the show. What was once exclusively Irving Berlin songs is now a collection of the best music of the era, including songs by Berlin, the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter and others.”

“Lodge” includes several 1930s and ’40s classics, including “Play a Simple Melody,” “Shaking the Blues Away,” “Blue Skies,” “Let’s Fall in Love” and more.

It’s easy to fall in love with the songs and singing. But it’s the dancing that’s jaw-droppingly incredible. Each cast member shows their stuff, with several displays of incredible, wow-inducing tap dancing.

Making the story alive and vital is a cast of six, including several from the Cabaret’s 2016 world premiere of “Pine Mountain Lodge”: Natasha Harris as the sweeter-than-honey Moony; Lauren Blair as the sparkly, sometimes prickly Edie; John Lambie as Jim, the lodge’s caretaker; and Tony Carter as Brent, Moony’s to-be discarded partner/performer. Augusto Guardado makes his Cabaret debut as the lovable, sweet-as-a-puppy Danny. And, as usual, Cabaret regular — and personal favorite — Galloway Stevens gives another wowing performance as the witty, wily ghost George.

It takes a team

Along with acting as Moony, Natasha Harris also choreographed the series of dazzling, beautifully coordinated dances. Others who helped give “Lodge” its vitality include assistant director Caitlin Winkenbach, musical director Karl Iverson and stage manager Zoe Krause. The design team includes set designer Spencer Funk, lighting designer Michael Stanfill, sound designer Tyler Berg, prop designer Kenny Murrell, costume designer Lauren Blair and wig designer Virginia Hudson.

“Pine Mountain Lodge” reflects and showcases the talents and abilities of it cast and creators. It’s a play about lost love and newfound love, about despair and hope, but it’s also brimming with ticklish humor.

It’s easy for audiences to succumb to the lyrics of one of the songs featured in “Pine Mountain Lodge” — “Let’s Fall in Love.”

“Pine Mountain Lodge” runs through Dec. 31. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 1 p.m. with evening performances at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights. If it were a movie, “Pine Mountain Lodge” would be rated PG due to mild adult situations and mild adult language.

Reservations are required for pre-show dinner or brunch. Appetizers, cocktails, beverages, and desserts are available without reservations. Tickets range from $32 to $49. The Cabaret offers a 15% ticket discount for groups of 12 or more for select ticket types and performances. $15 student rush tickets can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain with a valid student ID, subject to availability. For additional information, or to purchase tickets, call the Oregon Cabaret Theatre box office at 541-488-2902 or visit oregoncabaret.com.

Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.