When most people think of Christmas, they can't help of think of the Charles Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol' (I'm fond of the 1940s black and white television version myself), and how little Tiny Tim's plight always makes one cry.

Well, put aside that august version (whether the multiple television remakes, or local, live productions), and get ready to have your laugh buttons pushed to the max with Burien Little Theatre's 'Inspecting Carol,' a hilarious play-within-a-play about a plucky and quirky theatre company that runs into all sorts of obstacles in their attempt to resurrect not only the classic, but the financially broke theatre itself.

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Their 'Scrooge' (played with deft whimsy by Russ Kay (BLT's 'Frankenstein'), is a bit of a diva, who likes to put forth his political views (in this case, the plight of third world peoples, particularly Latin ones) through his role, much to the chagrin of the company's leader, Zora (a delightful, and sweetly naughty Yvette Zaepfel.) Every other member of the company, also, has some sort of problem or complaint; making getting the production staged a comedy of errors.

It also doesn't help that Zora has just been informed that the company is broke and their NEA grant pulled. She must now try to convince an NEA inspector (Rochelle Wyatt,) who's on the way to view this haphazard production, to restore the grant.

Particularly of note in this hold-your-sides, tears-rolling-down-your-face funny production are Kay, as the 'creative genius' who wants to change 'Carol' to make it more politically pointed, Zaepfel (especially when she seeks to try and seduce the actor she thinks is the inspector---a hammy, and funny Nathaniel Jones, who must be seen to be fully enjoyed), and Tim Takechi, as Walter Parsons, the Asian actor Zaepfel hires, hoping the NEA will give the company favor for making the attempt to become more 'multi-cultural'.

It was Takechi's appearance on the stage dressed as a giant baby (our 'creative genius', Kay's rewritten view of one of the ghosts Scrooge has visit him on that familiar, fateful night from the classic) that brought my guest and me to tears, of laughter. This is truly the reason to see this show, just know you might need a hankie, to wipe away the copious tears you'll be crying, as you howl with laughter at this outrageously comic sight.

Definitely one of BLT's best, this show is the one I'd pick if you were only going to see one holiday show, and you're tired of the same old thing from years past.
This show will leave you with a smile on your face and a completely different view of NEA funding for the arts.

Opening Friday, Nov 25th and running through Dec. 18th, show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays, at 2 p.m. The production is playing at the Burien Community Center Annex, 14700 6th Ave. S.W.
Tickets are available at www.burienlittletheatre.org or 206-242-5180.