TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

Can it be that eight years have passed since South Coast Repertory

opted to add a second holiday tradition on its Second Stage to the

traditional “Christmas Carol” playing upstairs on the main stage?

And can it be that young Tiffany Ellen Solano -- who doesn’t appear

much older than the 14-year-old girl she’s portraying -- already is in

her third season at the core of “La Posada Magica,” the Latino-flavored

contemporary Christmas story that so skillfully melds hilarity and

heartache? Where does the time go?

At South Coast Rep, it doesn’t go anywhere. Time stands still around

this time of year, and Octavio Solis’ “La Posada” is as timeless in its

own way as the Dickens classic. And the eighth rendition of this tuneful

celebration is every bit as emotionally involving as it was when it was

born back in 1994.

This year’s production, directed for the second time by Diane

Rodriguez, blends veterans like Teresa Velarde, who’s played Mariluz in

every show, with a handful of newcomers who are putting their own

individual touches on these by-now-familiar characters. And the petite

Solano grows stronger and more convincing every year as the teenager

whose Christmas spirit has been quenched by the recent death of her baby

brother.

Solano must wrestle with conflicting emotions in this stellar role,

and she does so beautifully, adding a superb singing voice to a rich and

full characterization. Like Ebenezer Scrooge upstairs, she also must take

a journey of self-discovery, and it grows in magnitude this third time

around.

“La Posada Magica” is a true ensemble show, but this year the

chocoholic ladies played by Carla Jiminez and Denise Blazor seem to stand

out more than usual. Jiminez and Blazor play off each other wonderfully

both as posada comrades and Siamese twin-type widows who chew up the

scenery as adeptly as they do the candies they voraciously devour.

Geoffrey Rivas moves into the role of the posada “jefe,” who’s also a

link with the audience, and handles the dual assignment skillfully. Sol

Castillo again is a hoot as the slightly delinquent Refugio, who kicks up

a storm in his show-stopping solo “I’m Your Lovin’ Santa.”

Velarde, impersonating a very pregnant Virgin Mary, and Danny Bolero

as her discomfited husband add urgent reality to the fantasy theme.

Richard Coca is fine as the high school security guard who doubles as a

deserted father and combines with Castillo to double as a pair of

evildoers with grave intentions.

Musical director Marcos Loya and guitarists Bolero and Lorenzo

Martinez keep the pace humming with their flavorful accompaniment. They,

as well as the cast in general, seem particularly attuned to the audience

this year.

“La Posada Magica” recreates the Christmas story in modern terms with

a quite pronounced Spanish accent, often leaving non-Spanish-speaking

playgoers out of the loop, but never losing them completely. It’s a

wondrous mix of legend, music and fantasy.

F.Y.I.

WHAT: ‘La Posada Magica’

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

Costa Mesa

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

Sundays at 12:30 and 4:30 until Dec. 23.

COST: $19-$34

PHONE: (714) 708-5555.