Production Lets Satire, Sarcasm Fly

'Reindeer Monologues' Not As Innocent As Title Implies

By Amy M. Cotham
THE MORNING NEWS * ACOTHAM@NWAONLINE.NET

FAYETTEVILLE
Monologues presented by Santa's eight reindeer might sound like fodder for a cute little Christmas play, but "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues," being staged this weekend by Not-A-Penny Productions, is anything but cute.

Few people know Santa's reindeer as playwright Jeff Goode presents them in this far from traditional work. "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" centers around what happens when Vixen accuses Santa of rape and each of his reindeer is called forth to give a statement. As the reindeer reveal things about themselves, their loyalties to each other are easily recognizable, as well as the secrets and lies of their own little "family." Goode's twisted take on classic Christmas characters also reveals what the reindeer do the days they aren't delivering toys.

"Remember, they only do this Christmas gig once a year, plus a practice run-through," director John Herget says. "In `The Eight: Reindeer Monologues' the reindeer introduce themselves, who they are, what they've done, where they've been."

Prancer, for example, is a smooth-talking movie producer who has changed his name to Hollywood. Blitzen is a radical feminist activist, while Cupid is flamboyantly gay. The other reindeer have their own distinctions, and in comedic terms, "every single character is really great," Herget says.

What the characters have to say about Santa, however, is anything but great. Goode's script, though artistic in its outlook, is shockingly harsh on the topic of the beloved toy maker. The reindeer reveal what they really think about their boss, whom one reindeer calls "a walking, talking, holly-jolly sex-crime-waiting-to-happen for years." While some of the reindeer are too self-centered to really get around to trashing Santa, Vixen's monologue includes graphic descriptions of Santa's sexual deviance. And though Vixen claims she doesn't want to go down in history as the one who ruined Christmas, Goode's play certainly taints the holiday spirit.

Along with obscene Christmas carols, "there's a lot of satire and sarcasm and dark humor in this play ," Herget says, pointing out that this is one Christmas show that is not for kids. "Though it is definitely funny, it's not a warm, fuzzy kind of funny."

Herget says the play's merit lies not just in its comedy but in its statement about sexual harassment in general. The director's theory is that people can be forced out of complacency if they can view sexual harassment through characters that are already so absurd. "It stands on its own as a comedic and thought- provoking work," he says.

What about the most famous reindeer of all? "Rudolph isn't in the play, though there are tons are references to him," Herget says. "I don't want to give too much away, but he is a key character in what happens."

Along with "The Eight," the Not-A-Penny Productions' holiday show will include the one-man play"The Santaland Diaries" starring Mark Landon Smith. Performances are Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Dave's On Dickson in Fayetteville. The shows on Sunday and Monday are for ages and older only, while the Tuesday show is for ages and up and will be alcohol-free. All performances are fund-raisers for the Toys For Tots program, and people who bring a toy to donate will receive $ off the $ admission price.