Accessibly Live Off-Line
(Vol. 12-No. 50) - Week of December 10th, 2007
It appears that St. Nick is presently sentenced to do time in a rehab center for a traffic violation that he committed. In this center, there are other "Santa types" there for various reasons, all with their own personal demons to deal with-from religion, to economics, to substance abuse! Mrs. Claus runs the place where these Santa are making their best to "dry out" and perhaps face the truth upon themselves. The question is--will Santa and his crew stay clean and sober? Will they eventually stay on their sleigh or will they fall off the wagon? Will Christmas remain merry and bright while the good boys and girls of the world get their gifts, or will Santa wind up as that lump of coal that the bad kids receive on Christmas morn?
This one act play is a total opposite of what a Christmas themed show is suppose to be. There are plenty of Santas about, but each one carries a chip on their shoulder. There is a sense of self afflicted anger and bitterness felt within these monologues, as each Santa confesses that they are not the kinds one would see depicted on a Coca-Cola ad or in one of those animated TV specials for the kiddies. In fact, unlike a traditional Christmas play that would be suitable for the entire family, this one is for adults only! (Note to parents; hire a sitter!) Darin Anthony's stage direction shows these Santas spilling their guts among a simple background of a bland backdrop with only a chair as well as a few persimmons(!) scattered about to battle upon, thanks to Donna Marquet's set design.
The cast consists of (listed in their order of appearance) Michael Patrick McGill, Frank Ensenbeger, Michelle Lema, Tisha Terrasini Banker, Bjorn Johnson, Rod Sell, Chris Erric Maddox, and Sanantha Bennett as Mrs. Claus.
For those seeking some holiday cheer in your theater experience, we suggest to spend an evening with a production of A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker playing somewhere else. However, if one wants to witness an alternative side of the holiday, then SEVEN SANTAS is one's cup of tequila! Call this show a vision of a sugar plum or a candy cane for a diabetic! And as we heard him exclaim as he drove out out sight, "Merry @%$!ing Xmas to all, and to all, a good...." (You know the rest--or do you??)
SEVEN SANTAS, presented by and performs at The Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd (one block east of Vine Street), Hollywood, until December 22nd. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights @ 8:00 PM, and Sunday evenings @ 7:00 PM. Reservations and information, call (323) 882-6912.
Visit the website at http://www.openfist.org