Fort Myers News-Press - December 2000


A bittersweet reflection of the modern world

By KAREN FELDMAN, The News-Press

"The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" is NOT your children's Christmas tale.

There's no chimney. No carols. Rudolph and Santa don't make so much as cameo appearances. And there's no snow, although there's a distinct chill in the air.

In fact, it's a dark, dark Christmas that emerges in this black comedy produced for the third time since 1996 by Theatre Conspiracy.

Although the play features Santa's fleet of eight reindeer, and St. Nick figures prominently in all of the monologues, this play isn't about Christmas at all.

It's really a metaphor for the troubled times in which we live and the disturbingly common problem of sexual harassment in the workplace. It's about appearances and perceptions, truth and justice.

Playwright Jeff Goode wrote the play after a high-ranking official of Chicago's Catholic church was accused of sexual misconduct, tearing apart the congregation.

On a set so simple it has only a lighted Christmas tree, a folding card table, tissues, a water pitcher and chairs, each of the eight reindeer takes a stand, offering an opinion on what might or might not have happened between Santa and a reindeer and what should be done about it.

While the world may revere Santa as a jolly saint, the reindeer know that he's also a pervert. (And let's not even talk about Mrs. Claus!)

When the not-so-virtuous Vixen accuses him of rape, it's time for an investigation. One by one, the antlered employees state their cases.

Bill Taylor, the troupe's founder and artistic director, is masterful as the macho, tough-talking lead deer, Dasher. With all the attitude of a New York dock worker, Taylor starts things off with a swagger and a lot of laughs.

Cupid, played with over-the-top earnestness by James Carmichael, is a stereotypical gay gossip who shares his unsavory tales of his boss, giving the expression "too much information" new meaning.

Hollywood, a k a Prancer, played in campy L.A.-style by Mitch Haley, is more concerned about how the case will affect his movie career than he is about his coworker.

Feminist reindeer Blitzen, portrayed with angry conviction by Kathy Grey, has had enough of the "grotesque libidinous troll of a man."

Offering the opposing view is Comet, the long-haired former ne'er-do-well who believes Santa turned his life around. Charles Edward Stewart has a commanding presence as Comet.

Lisa Marie, as the somewhat ditzy New York Jewess reindeer, Dancer, shows off her well-honed comic timing as well as a deer-like vulnerability.

Stephen E. Hooper takes on what is probably the most difficult role, that of Donner, Rudolph's guilt-ridden father. Although he throws himself into the role, the pace flags here at the crucial moment before Vixen herself takes center stage.

Lauren Drexler, who directed the production, is awesome as the unrepentant doe-fatale Vixen, strutting about the stage in her black stiletto heels, a tight red sweater and short black skirt.

In the end, this is a morality play. Full of kinky sexual allegations and foul language, it is a bittersweet reflection on the festering decay of the modern world.

"Reindeer Monologues" packs a Christmas punch like no other.

- Contact Karen Feldman at kfeldman@news-press.com or 335-0368.


Naples Daily News

Naples Daily News - Thursday, December 21, 2000


Playing those reindeer games

By BETH FRANCIS, Staff Writer

Edgy holiday humor pervades Theatre Conspiracy's 'The Eight Reindeer Monologues'

Hang on to your red fuzzy Santa hat.

The Theatre Conspiracy is pushing the envelope once again, with a bold Christmas play that casts Santa Claus in a whole new light.

IF YOU GO

'The Eight Reindeer Monologues'; Theatre Conspiracy

Where: The Foulds Theatre, Lee County Alliance of the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

When: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23

Cost: $14 adults, $7 students

Information: (941) 936-3239

One gets the feeling that Old St. Nick might not feel so jolly if he listens in when eight of his famous reindeer finally get their say about what life in the North Pole is REALLY like.

With "The Eight Reindeer Monologues," which opens Friday and continues Saturday at the Foulds Theatre at the Lee County Alliance of the Arts in Fort Myers, the cutting-edge acting troupe offers something quite different from the standard holiday fare.

During a sneak preview of the show last week, eight different actors took their turns in the spotlight portraying the eight lesser-known reindeer, each offering his or her side of the Santa story.

The script, by Los Angeles-based playwright Jeff Goode, is at times hilarious, at times a bit twisted and at times even disturbing as it probes the issues and emotions that come to the surface when someone is accused of sexual assault.

In this case, the person who stands accused is — you guessed it — Santa.

Needless to say, this is a show meant for more seasoned audiences. Much of the language and content are not appropriate for the eyes or ears of children.

The show opens with the reindeer sitting in folding chairs, their backs to the audience. One by one, the reindeer get up from their seats and step into the spotlight. Each time a reindeer gets up, the others solemnly shift chairs, adding to the weighty mood of the play. The set is stark and simple, with a card table in the middle of the stage holding a pitcher of water and some plastic cups for the reindeer to drink from.

Bill Taylor as Dasher opens the show. The egotistical Dasher is jealous of Rudolph and angry in general at the other reindeer for being slackers. He scoffs at the fog Rudolph's nose helped pierce, saying he's flown in much more dangerous working conditions than fog, even when the other reindeer called in sick.

Jaimie Carmichael is next as the only openly gay reindeer, Cupid (although he claims there are other gay reindeer who just won't admit it). Carmichael's voice and mannerisms are hysterical, and the tiny Santa hat between his antlers and red ankle socks add to his capricious image.

Next Mitch Haley portrays "Hollywood," the reindeer formerly known as Prancer. Prancer refers to the "Vixen" thing, and worries that if Vixen sells her story to the cable network, it will undercut any work he tries to get as an actor in the next year.

Kathy Grey's militant feminist Blitzen is the first reindeer to come right out and tell the audience that Vixen is accusing Santa of rape. She probes the despair a rape victim feels when it all comes down to his word against hers, and how that can be even more difficult when the man involved is Santa. Then she babbles on about mistletoe and penises. Twisted, but funny.

A long-haired gravelly voiced Charles Edmund Stewart then takes the stage as Comet, a rehabilitated street thug who staunchly defends Santa, saying Santa should get more credit for the work he does with troubled reindeer.

Lisa Marie's Dancer is downright ditzy, yet also riveting as she opens the second act. Marie effectively fluctuates her mood from sorrowful to silly and back to sorrowful again throughout her monologue, as she talks about landing her job with the "elite eight," and the day she heard Vixen's screams coming from Santa's workshop. Her change-ups of emotion keep the audience gripped.

Stephen Hooper ranges from solemn to melodramatic as Donner, the guilt-racked father of Rudolph. Hooper still was reaching for lines in the sneak preview, but should have them down-pat by Friday's opening.

Last is Lauren Drexler as Vixen, the ill-tempered doe who is crying foul. Drexler is sarcastic, sexy, angry and afraid, effectively portraying a range of emotions. Particularly impressive is the use of a voice from above drilling Vixen about her past sexual behavior. Drexler's responses to the questions are emotional and believable, creating understanding about what it's like to press charges against someone for rape.

"Do you know what it's like to be the most famous victim of all?" Vixen asks the audience angrily.

Rudolph doesn't make an appearance during the show, which lasts almost two hours. Little by little, the audience learns that Rudolph is in a padded cell somewhere singing obscure Christmas songs after walking in on Santa and Vixen.

"The Eight Reindeer Monologues" definitely is not your typical feel-good holiday show, but if the language and content don't offend you, you'll laugh a lot and even think for a moment or two about the deeper issues at hand.


Naples Daily News

Naples Daily News - Thursday, December 28, 2000


Disgruntled reindeer

By NANCY STETSON, Staff Writer

This past weekend I went to see "The EIGHT: Reindeer Monologues" by Theatre Conspiracy at the Foulds Theatre in Fort Myers.

It was a refreshing, disturbing, hilarious different look at the holidays. Unfortunately, it only ran that weekend.

The play is exactly what the title says: a series of eight monologues by Santa's famous reindeer.

But this is as far from sugar plum fairies and "Miracle on 34th Street" as you can get. Though the playwright, Jeff Goode, has written plays for children, this isn't one of them.

As each reindeer gets up and addresses the audience, a disturbing picture comes to light: Santa is not only a pedophile, but he rapes his own reindeer as well. The play is a reindeer version of "Rashoman."

"The EIGHT" is more about the dark side of life, the way people use each other and the excuses/self-rationalizations we create to justify our actions. It's not a totally depressing play, though; part of its charm and power is the way it see-saws between humor and pathos. There are moments of hilarity and wonderful visual images, such as the description of a drunken Mrs. Claus attending a North Pole Christmas party wearing only gold spray paint, pasties and an elf strategically strapped to her crotch.

And just looking at the reindeer themselves is enough to send the audience into titters: adult actors with reindeer antlers and the tips of their noses painted black, talking with dead seriousness about their lives.

Theatre Conspiracy, who've performed the play years ago, did a great job. Lauren Drexler, who also directed the play, was right on target as Vixen, the saucy reindeer Santa rapes. "The EIGHT: Reindeer Monologues" was a great antidote to holiday syrupy-ness.

The play has been performed in Boston, New York, L.A. and Chicago. I'm glad Theatre Conspiracy had the boldness to play it in Fort Myers.