Chicago Reader - December 10-16, 2004

The dirt gets dished in Jeff Goode's somewhat playful attempt to expose simmering scandals at the north pole. Santa has allegedly raped the salacious Vixen, and that's contributed to Rudolph's breakdown. Accusations fly about the mistreatment of elves by the alcoholic Mrs. Claus and about unfair labor conditions--no sick days or vacations. A strike by disgruntled deer is rumored. This is an increasingly depressing 80 minutes buoyed by fine performances from the cast of eight, including Mac Brandt as a cocky, very Chicago blue-collar Dasher, Brad Davis as a flaming stereotyped Cupid (he really likes Santa's whip), and Lauren Fisher as Dancer (she really is a frustrated dancer). --Lawrence Bommer Live Bait Theater, 3914 N. Clark, 773-857-5395. Through 12/18: Fri-Sat 10:30 PM. Then 12/22-12/23: Wed-Thu 8 PM. $12.