Patrick Loos is engaging, sincere and funny as our “narrator”. He is also the heart of the show, as the mysteriously troubled Charlie — off on a vaguely explained mission to the old Hunting Shack. Through flashbacks, we get a picture of his marriage to the spunky Jennifer, well played by Sharon Combs.
The “shack” is a beautiful Bartley H. Bauer concoction of log-cabin with stuffed deer heads, furs, and even a scary moose skull/rack. Charlie finds the shack already inhabited by aunt/uncle/cousin, the folksy June, Big Paul (John Lepard) and Ham (Aral Gribble)— and the proverbial hijinks begin.
Big Paul has an understated, oblivious charm and some secrets up his sleeve. He is frequently forced to feed the “swear jar” in an unsuccessful attempt by June to clean up his language.
Ham (Aral) is a delight, enamored of his online honey, Helga — and scrapping with his cousin Charlie in assorted adorable ways.
There IS a “plot” but it has enough surprises best experienced in real time. Suffice it to say, it’s that down-home humor that winds up being about the strength, support and idiocy that is family.
This laugh-fest runs through December 23.
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