THEATER REVIEW : South Coast’s ‘Posada’: Warm, but Rough Around the Edges

At this stage of its development, “La Posada Magica,” which had its premiere Wednesday night at South Coast Repertory, is a sweet, earnest, gentle Yuletide show that preaches love, faith and hope with a Latino flavor.

SCR’s Second Stage production, festooned with holiday lanterns and colorful decorations, glows like a Christmas ornament. Played as simple street theater, it’s directed by Jose Cruz Gonzalez to look as though a community troupe has arrived on a flatbed truck eager to entertain the neighborhood.

But while “Posada” has the warmth of Latino folklore--and a wonderful guitar ensemble to lend musical charm--the play itself is a work-in-progress: short on drama, long on narrative and laced with doggerel.

Octavio Solis, who wrote the original script, has said the play “requires a childlike imagination to buy into.” He’s right. “Posada” takes the format of a children’s show largely aimed at the middle-school set. Unless you’re between the ages of 9 and 12, your attention is liable to wander.

The story centers on Gracie (Ruth Livier), an unhappy teen-ager who has lost her faith in God. She lit “all the right candles” and said “all the right prayers,” but God still let her down.

Will she regain her faith? The answer arrives with a traditional Las Posadas neighborhood procession that comes to her house on Christmas Eve, re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.

The trio of musicians--led by composer Marcos Loya, who also is a dazzling guitarist--plays with gusto and polish. It offers jazzy versions of traditional Christmas tunes and a handful of Loya’s own songs (performed by the cast, lyrics by Solis).

The show also is spiced with some irreverent touches of humor. Vic Trevino’s Elvis parody stands out. There’s also a running gag about guardian angels and a cute bit of business with a walkie-talkie.

The bad news, though, is the lack of dramatic momentum and all that bad verse. Most of that is given to Ruben Sierra (Horacio, the narrator and leader of the troupe). Fortunately, Sierra is a sturdy pro and sells his lines as well as anybody could. But it’s a tough sell. (“Out of the darkness like whipped cream / Came a vision as in a dream.”)

Livier’s Gracie could be more affecting. She pouts, as she’s meant to, but her whiny tone wears thin. Portraying Mary, Teresa Velarde supports the company with a strong singing voice. Still, her climactic moment is undermined by special effects. When her belly lights up, it’s a howler.

Since SCR plans to make “Posada” an annual holiday show to go with “A Christmas Carol,” Solis has a whole year to make revisions to his dutifully didactic script. Meanwhile, the music, the masks and the festive production design don’t need to be touched.

* “La Posada Magica,” South Coast Repertory, Second Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon and 4 p.m.; matinees Tuesday and Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon and 4 p.m. Ends Dec. 24. $15-$22. (714) 957-4033. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.

Ruben Sierra: Horacio Edna Alvarez: Consuelo/Widow Christine Avila: Caridad/Widow Teresa Velarde: Mom/Mariluz/Mary Vic Trevino: Refugio/Buzzard George Galvan: Papi/Josecruz/Joseph Phillip Daniel Rodriguez: Eli/Lauro/Bones Ruth Livier: Gracie Marcos Loya: Musician/Ensemble Lorenzo Martinez: Musician/Ensemble A South Coast Repertory Second Stage production of a play by Octavio Solis, with music by Marcos Loya. Directed by Jose Cruz Gonzalez. Scenic designer: Cliff Faulkner. Costume designer: Shigeru Yaji. Lighting designer: Lonnie Alcaraz. Musical director: Marcos Loya. Dramaturge: Jerry Patch. Production manager: Michael Mora. Stage Manager: Scott Harrison.