Holiday ‘Greetings!’ opens Friday at PowPAC

Get in the holiday spirit with the heartwarming comedy “Greetings!” which opens Friday, Nov. 13 at PowPAC, Poway’s Community Theatre.

The show runs through Sunday, Dec. 13 with shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $22 general admission, $20 students, seniors and active duty military, and are available online at www.powpac.org. Prices include ticket handling fees.

As an added holiday treat, students ages 11 to 14 from The Guitar Aces music school will perform holiday music in the lobby prior to the show on Friday, Nov. 20; Friday, Dec. 4; and Sunday, Dec. 13.

There is a $2 surcharge for opening night, which includes a post-performance reception with the cast.

In “Greetings!” Andy brings his Jewish atheist fiancee, Randi, home on Christmas Eve to meet his devout Catholic parents and his intellectually disabled brother, Mickey, at the family home in Pittsburgh.

Andy’s fears about how his parents will react to Randi are realized until his brother, who prior to this day had never said anything other than “oh boy” and “wow” suddenly says “greetings” and the family’s entire belief structure is turned upside-down after they realize an ancient, wise and witty spirit has taken over Mickey’s body.

Written by Tom Dudzick, this play originated Off-Broadway and has become a holiday classic over the years.

Directing the show at PowPAC is the theater’s new artistic director, Brent A. Stringfield. Stringfield was also previously the theater’s artistic director over 10 years ago, before leaving to work in Chicago. He took over his former position again in August.

“There’s some familiar faces (here at PowPAC), but a lot of new processes being implemented. It’s taking time to get familiar,” said Stringfield of taking over as artistic director. Stringfield said he was relying on longtime volunteers to help him prepare for the theater’s future seasons as the volunteers know what audiences like.

Brenda and Chris Robinson are the show’s producers.

“Greetings!” stars Tamaz Bolkvadze as Andy Gorski, Susan Bray as Emily Gorski, Kevin Bray as Phil Gorski, Tyler Richards Hewes as Mickey Gorski and Brandon Kaye Thomas as Randi Stein.

Stringfield said he recommended the show to audiences because it will be an enjoyable break from the stress of preparing for the holidays. “Although there are a lot of things pulling at your time during the holidays, this is fresh. It’s a few hours of having a good time, which is especially important during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.”