It’s Christmas in Bunyan Bay, Yah, Sure, You Betcha!
Review by independent reviewer Melanie Nelson

A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol is on stage at St. Croix Off Broadway Dinner Theatre located at the Hudson House Grand Hotel in Hudson, WI.

The show opens on a bitterly cold Christmas Eve in Bunyan Bay, MN. Clara and Gunner are at their quiet bar, the Bunyan, exchanging pleasantries (almost) with local outdoor sports store tycoon (not really) Kanute, when his ex-fiancé Bernice returns from her long stay in the Twin Cities looking for her old job at the bar back.

The night takes a drastic left turn when Gunner departs for a skidoo ride around the lake, but ends up going through it, and winds up in the hospital with a rough diagnosis.

Instead of Scrooge, Gunner meets his Ghost of Christmas past, present, and future while in his coma. Not only are many funny songs and light-hearted moments in the mix, but also that age-old lesson of realizing what you’ve got before it’s all gone.

Jason Decheine plays Gunner expertly once again in this second show of the Don’t Hug Me series, as is Clara by the songbird Stephanie Osman and Kanute by the lovable Michael McKay. Rounding off the familiar endearing cast is Joe Keith as the legendary singer/songwriter Sven Yorgensen and, in this comedy musical, all the Ghosts due to budget constraints. .

For those who have fell in love with this adorable cast a time or two, or three, or five in these roles, there is a new shining face in the mix. The character of Bernice is played this time around by Brittany Oberstadt. She breathes a fresh life into the role and into the show!

Bring out your family for the short run of A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol at St. Croix Off Broadway Dinner Theatre located at the Hudson House Grand Hotel. Running Fridays and Saturdays through January 4. The price: $56 includes your choice of dinner; coffee, pop, tea, or milk; show; tip; and tax. Children ages 6-12 can order off of a special menu for $28. The noon lunch matinee on January 4 is $42. Get tickets by calling 715-386-2394 ext. 333 or order them online at www.stcroixoffbroadway.com. A special New Year’s Eve package includes dancing after the dinner theatre and party favors at midnight for $84.