ONE BIG FAMILY: Starring at the Huntington Playhouse in “Christmas at Aunt Ida’s” from left to right (standing) are Krista Schwandt, Kurt Hildebrandt, Greg Dziama, Dick Feagler, Neil Oblonsky, Yvonne Buemi, Richie Lynch and Katie McLaughlin. Seated are Julie Haug, Meg Parish, Lanie Richarson, Thelma Carrigan, Laura Starnik, Mike Kunikis and Stephen A. Berg. Seated on the floor are Connor Sweeny, Noah Holmes and Tommy Sweeny. (Photo by Tom Merose)

Cleveland memories relived
in Huntington’s ‘Christmas at Aunt Ida’s’
By Art Thomas
Insights
Published Dec. 6, 2006

A theatrical world premiere is usually an exciting event. When the premiere is rooted in our city, the effect is magnified. That is the case with “Christmas at Aunt Ida’s” at Bay Village’s Huntington Playhouse.

Dick Feagler, Plain Dealer columnist, wrote an article of his Cleveland childhood memories which became our local “Night Before Christmas,” “PD” style. Playwright Anne McEvoy used additional family material supplied by Feagler to expand the column into a full length play.

The time is the first Christmas after WWII. Raised essentially by women, the 8-year-old Feagler realized that this Christmas Eve in 1945 would be different.

“Christmas at Aunt Ida’s” is a play of events, but mostly it is a play of characters. As the curtain rises on the so typical home of the era, it is empty, but within minutes it is filled with people. Each has a complex relationship with everyone else and we have two hours of bustling activity on Christmas Day.

Ziggy is the family jokester, back from the war and full of wisecracks. He is barely kept in check by Dorothy, his outspoken wife. Greg Dziama and Lanie Richardson immerse themselves into these characters.

Stanley sells TVs and confidently professes that a 10-inch screen is the largest we will ever see. His wife Arlene is constantly correcting the grammar of their children Kenny and Allen. Neil Oblonsky, Laura Starnik, Tom Sweeney and Connor Sweeney are the Pierson family.

Watching “Christmas at Aunt Ida’s” is often frustrating because it is nearly impossible to know who is related to who. Just like in a real family gathering, after entering together, spouses are seldom near each other. In this production the action is structured with constant coming and going. Women cook in the kitchen, emerging in aprons for a few minutes.

Men play pinochle, children are forced to perform for cooing aunts and grandmothers and romances in-progress are discussed with passionate candor. Every adult is careful to not swear in front of the children. Yes, things were different back then in some ways.

The matriarch, but certainly not in control of the family, is Peg Parish as Aunt Ida. Her second husband, Bella, is comfortable with his dozens of new relatives and future relatives. As Bela, Mike Kunikis gives sage advice to his son Billy, who is engaged to Jean. Kurt Hildebrandt and Krista Schwandt are the lovers.

Long time Cleveland residents in the audience will love the local references sprinkled through the show. There’s discussion about the Cleveland Rams football team, which won the championship but is leaving for Los Angeles. The new name for the local team is the Cleveland Browns. Of course Halle’s, Hough Caterer’s white cake, and the Sterling Linden store and tree are mentioned.

Ida dresses as Santa to give toys to the children, and they dutifully believe that it is a special visit from St. Nick. Young Dick Feagler takes a daredevil car drive that ends in the destruction of a neighborhood icon. There are stories and traditions that are unique for Feagler but which have touchstones for all of us.

The best part of “Christmas at Aunt Ida’s” are the brief appearances of Dick Feagler. At the show’s start, he sets the stage and gets the action rolling. He makes a few more appearances, and the poetry of his words are moving to everyone who has Christmas memories. It’s Feagler playing Feagler and there is no denying the sincerity of his speaking from his heart. His final words at the play’s end will bring tears to eyes.

“Christmas at Aunt Ida’s” runs through Dec. 17 with an extra performance added on Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. Call fast —(440) 871-8333 — because most of the seats are sold out.