The Jazz Messenger Boys, from left to right, are Steve Schoen, Kira Arrillaga and Casey Arrillaga with Carl LoSchiavo.
Photo by Teresa Kendrick
Is there anything better than getting an affectionate lampoon from someone you love? It’s a clear sign that you’ve been seen, accepted and celebrated for everything you are, warts and all. Such is premise behind the Wimberley Players’ annual Hill Country Home Companion.
Each New Year’s Eve, WP actors, along with the hilariously sly lyrics of the Jazz Messenger Boys, present a live, radio-style performance to ring in the new year. It toasts all things Wimberley, poking sweet fun at this little slice of heaven and evoking the kind of genuine, unrestrained, body-bouncing belly laughs that lighten the heart and soothe the soul.
This year, the script for the Hill Country Home Companion was written by David Bisett, Monica Michell and Reji Smith from a concept by Don Minnick. It was emceed, as in previous years, by longtime performer Bisett, in the masterful guise of a good ol’ boy gone a little mellow, a bit cranky and a tad “Oh dang” forgetful.
Made rich by the acting talents of Bruce Levinson, Carla Daws, Danny Mosier, Molly Poorboy, Roxanne Strobel and Samuel Ellisor, the HCHC actors performed one satirical skit after another: “Just Ask Duchess,” “Yvette Duvet, Vet, Pet Detective,” “Crystal Moon’s Cosmic Corner,” “The Waiting Room,” “Life in the Check-out Line,” “The Shut the Gate Guild,” “Our Neck of the Woods” and a game show segment called “What Was That?” that challenged audience members to guess a building’s previous incarnation.
Each monologue and segment was followed by jingles deadpanned by Kira Arrillaga, to the music of Casey Arrillaga, Steve Schoen and Carl LoSchiavo.
Puns and absurdities abounded as each skit parodied the everyday antics, attitudes and foibles of local characters, giving air to such shared grievances as waiting for tourists to cross the street. One of the evening’s characters, Ralph, asked if he could just “bump” them along with his truck. Another suggested using cattle dogs to herd them to the curb. Members of “The Shut the Gate Guild” offered their own cockamamie suggestions for returning Wimberley to “the way it was.”
The unique, highly entertaining Hill Country Home Companion is the Wimberley Players’ yearly fundraiser. Coupled with bubbles, brews and bites at the intermission and the opportunity to mingle with performers afterwards, it belongs on everyone’s bucket list. Ringing in any new year with laughter is a blessing.
