TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

Just as “A Christmas Carol” on South Coast Repertory’s main stage has

changed subtly over the years with the arrival of new cast members, so

too has the Second Stage yuletide show, “La Posada Magica,” now in its

seventh incarnation.

With a new director and several first-time cast members, “La Posada”

has taken a few detours along its magical procession. But the end result

remains a joyous and heartwarming experience.

There is noticeably more dialogue in Spanish in this year’s

production, staged by Diane Rodriguez, but gringos won’t have that much

trouble comprehending the message. Octavio Solis’ Hispanic-flavored

holiday play radiates heartache and humor in equal portions along its

circuitous route.

For those who still have not made SCR’s Second Stage a destination

during the holidays, “La Posada Magica” starts on a sad note. A teenage

girl, Gracie, mourns her infant brother, who didn’t live to see his first

Christmas. She joins the “posada,” a traditional recreation of the

journey taken by Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, with the intention of

literally extinguishing its symbolic candles.

Far from being a “downer,” however, the show throbs with the spirit of

the season, enriched by musical director Marcos Loya’s original songs,

which the composer and two compadres perform throughout the show. And

there’s mucho comic relief from characters such as the streetwise

entertainer Refugio and a pair of chocoholic ladies.

Tiffany Ellen Solano, in her second appearance, fills the key role of

14-year-old Gracie with overflowing emotion, adding a lustrous singing

voice to a sterling performance. Armando Duran serves strongly as both

the posada leader and the show’s wise narrator.

As the irrepressible Refugio, Sol Castillo continues the tradition of

show-stopping solo performances with his all-stops-out signature number.

Benito Martinez is strong as the walkie-talkie-crackling security guard,

and both actors deliver chilling accounts as masked hoodlums from another

dimension.

Teresa Velarde, who originated the dual roles of Mom and Mariluz

(portraying the biblical Mary), is back as radiant as ever, while Sal

Lopez contributes a rough edge as her husband in both guises.

The duo of Denise Blasor -- in her fourth show -- and Carla Jimenez --

in her first -- inject some new slices of humor into their Widow Sandoval

characters, as well as their chocolate-devouring gluttony.

Regular viewers from the first six years may notice some added

dimension to the show in the form of character interaction, but the basic

format remains.

Costume designer Shigeru Yaji has created some highly effective masks

for the actors to use for their secondary characters.

Solano’s tormented Gracie remains the heart of the production,

gravitating between bitter resentment and inspired optimism. It’s a tough

characterization to deliver, given its alternating moods, but Solano

nails it wonderfully.

“La Posada Magica” has carved out a tradition of its own at SCR, and

each succeeding increment seems to deepen its emotional effect. You don’t

need to “comprende” to appreciate its heartwarming message.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “La Posada Magica”

WHERE: Second Stage of South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and

12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 24

COST: $18-$32

TICKETS: (714) 708-5555