Article:9870; Posted: June 20, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.

Ever notice that Santa says “Ho, ho, ho” and a pirate says “Yo, ho, ho?”

Me neither. But it is just one of the similarities between Christmas and pirates that is pointed out in “Jingle ARRGH The Way,” the newest production of Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s Children Performance Troupe.

A sequel to “How I Became a Pirate,” which was produced at Hope four years ago, the musical by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman is based on a story by children’s author Melinda Long.

What a hyper holiday! In just 60 minutes, our hero Jeremy Jacob (Connor Briggs) and his band of imaginary pirate pals bounce from Caribbean and pirate rhythms to hip-hop and jazz, with quick nods to “The Nutcracker” and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance.”

They string Christmas lights on the mast and replace the skull-and- crossbones flag with skull and crossed candy-canes. While sailing the ship to the North Pole, they play basketball and board games and sing about cookie recipes and dreams of acting. At the North Pole, they get a sprinkling of snow, have a run-in with a polar bear, meet Santa Claus and learn about true treasure. And they still get back to Holland, MI in time for Jeremy Jacob’s school Christmas pageant.

It’s enough activity to keep even the squirmiest toddler glued to his seat. Parents, on the other hand, will have to be satisfied with happy kids since there’s little plot or witty repartee for grown-up entertainment. There is one funny reference to the 1967 movie “The Graduate,” which would probably be overlooked by anyone who hadn’t seen the movie as many times as I have.

Director Desha Crownover describes this play as a “sprint.” I’d say it’s a flat-out run at some points, but that’s when the kids are laughing the hardest. In the intimate studio theater in DeWitt Center, the stage is surrounded on four sides by seating, so characters have plenty of opportunities to shake hands with audience members and interact personally, as well as run up through the audience when a polar bear growls.

Kids also appreciate pseudo-embarassing phrases such as “poop deck.” They love it when the scariest looking pirate, Sharktooth (Mychael Thompson) puts on a tutu and does a little ballet. French Chef Pirate Pierre (Noah Bridgestock) tries to dribble a basketball with a wooden spoon, which also draws laughs and hoots. There’s a fun comparison between the portly captain Braid Beard (Brandon Campbell) and hefty Santa (Liam Snead). Max (Brianna Brice) wears a hook on one hand and a stuffed parrot on her shoulder. Swill (Mollie Murk) has all the answers in her little black book.

The Christmas carol finale gives everyone a chance to sing along. But in my book, the most memorable lyrics are “Aye, Aye, Bye, Bye.”

SHOW DETAILS:
Jingle Aargh the Way
Hope Summer Repertory Theatre
DeWitt Studio Theatre, 141 E. 12th St., Holland
June 17, 19, 22, 24, 29, July 1, 6, 8, 27, 31, August 5, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.
July 24, 29 August 3, 7, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.
check website for ticket prices
616-395-7890
Hope.edu/hsrt