BWW Reviews: A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS is a Feel Good Holiday Show

At the performance I attended Mark B. Robbins played Uncle George. The stoic, silent man also seemed to be a family-friendly dose of pioneer hardships. His silence represented the struggles he had endured, while his harmonica playing and inclusion in the events showcased the kindness, sympathy, and fellowship that has made the Ingalls family a favorite of so many in both real life and the mostly factual literary representations of them.

Sound Design by Chris Bakos is aptly atmospheric. The preshow music sets the tone for the time period. The thunder in first act is nicely startling; however, the best aspect of the thunder is that it continues during the 15-minute intermission, which ultimately and cleverly signifies that the rains did not let up in between the acts.

Ryan McGettigan's set design is beautifully realized. Structurally it showcases the important, load bearing beams of the Ingalls house and lets the imagination fill in the rest. He has also elevated the back portion of the stage, which allows for some nice portraits to occur.

Macy Perrone has beautifully costumed the cast in true to time period fashions. The Ingalls family has wonderfully functional clothing choices that perfectly illustrate how farming men and women dressed. The clothing choices for the Oleson's are distinctly different, showcasing how clothing for people who lived in town did not have to be as functional and could be more ornate.

Frank Vela's lighting design is simplistic, keeping the action bathed in warm lighting. The nicest of the more specialized effects are the strobe-like flashing of the lights for lightening and the shifts in color on the back wall mural to adequately show the passing of time.

A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS is a nice, heartwarming reminder of why we celebrate the Christmas season. The show showcases how important charity and humanity are. Moreover, the Ingalls family only had each other and the simple things in life, which reminds audiences to put the electronics down and really bask in each other's personal radiance.

A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS runs at Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market through December 22, 2012. For more information and tickets please visit http://www.mainstreettheater.com/ or call (713) 524 – 6706.

Photos by Kaitlyn Walker.

Main Street Theater presents A Little House Christmas. Join Mary and Laura in this Holiday classic at MST â€" Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Blvd., Nov. 17 â€" Dec. 22. Call 713-524-6706 or visit www.mainstreettheater.com for tickets. Pictured are: background, L-R: Peter (Chioke Coreathers) and Nick (Curtis Barber); middle, seated L-R: Ma (Amy Garner Buchanan), Nellie (Claire Anderson), and Mrs. Oleson (Zona Jane Meyer); front, seated on floor, L-R: Mary (Lauren Dolk) and Laura (Natalie Pawalek).

Main Street Theater presents A Little House Christmas. Join Mary and Laura in this Holiday classic at MST â€" Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Blvd., Nov. 17 â€" Dec. 22. Call 713-524-6706 or visit www.mainstreettheater.com for tickets. Pictured L-R are Mary (Lauren Dolk) and Ma (Amy Garner Buchanan).