LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE by Carol Kaufman Segal

            The Troubadour Theatre Company is back again at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank with their very funny Christmas show, Little Drummer Bowie.  Long-time member of the Troubies, Joseph Lee Bwarie, returns with the company after his Broadway stint as Frankie Vali in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys.

            The company is known for its adaptation of classic plays, films, etc. in the style of Commedia del Arte.  They combine comedy, music, dance, improvisation, and depending on the production, even acrobats and other circus inspired art, into their fun-filled productions.  Artistic Director and founder of The Troubadour Theatre Company, Matt Walker, co-directs Little Drummer Bowie with Bwarie.

            Ziggy (The Little Drummer Boy played by Bwarie), having lost his parents, is wandering the desert in Jerusalem with only his drum and his two pet companions, Babaa (Katie Katani) and Sampson (Cloie Wyatt Taylor).  He meets Ben Haramed (Riccardo Berdini) and his assistant Ali (Beth Kennedy) who are impressed by his drumming and singing talents, and Ben hires him to perform with his troupe. Soon he is discovered by a talent agent (Rick Batallia, who plays many roles including Joseph) and Ziggy becomes a star! At the same time, in Jerusalem, another star is about to be born!    

            The rest of the fantastic cast, that keeps the comedy going throughout, include Lisa Valenzuela (Mary), Katie DeShan (Nadhiyah), Niles Rivers (Jamaal), and Matt Walker as The Voice from Above.  Music Director and arranger is Eric Heinly and choreography is by Jordana Toback.   The Troubies’ live band is superb as always.

            Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 4 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 4 PM and 7 PM, plus select Tuesdays, through January 15, 2017.  A final added performance will play at 7 PM on January 15.  Tickets are available online at www.falcontheatre.com, or by calling the Box Office at (818) 955-8101 (open Tuesdays through Fridays, 12 N. to 6 PM, Saturday and Sundays, 10 AM to 4 PM.  The Falcon Theatre is located at 4252 Riverside Drive, in Burbank.

            Recommended.