South Florida's Entertainment News & Views - December 9-15, 2005

Culturally Speaking

Sol Provides a Sassy Look at the Holidays

by Ron Levitt
Theatre Critic

If this version of Santa’s reindeers had any truth, you would keep your children away from that bearded gent. It’s the latest revival of Jeff Goode’s 1993 perverted satire The Eight Reindeer Monologues—and in the hands of Sol Director Robert Hooker it is a no-holds-barred, risqué, often offensive, but earthy, funny attack on the holiday season. But, it is strictly for open-minded adults. The Eight Reindeer Monologues is not for everyone, but director Hooker often presents plays that are not for everyone. The set is simple, which gives ample room for Santa’s reindeers to rant and rave about all things sexual—a bunch of lurid stereotypes involving gay lifestyle, rape, disabled individuals, feminism, sexual harassment—you name it! Now, if this sounds terribly offensive, it is meant to be.

The real star is the author, a San Francisco writer who uses the monologues as statements to the press (the audience), who supposedly have gathered to check out Vixen’s accusation that Santa raped her,

There are a number of quite interesting portrayals in this single act satire—Erynn Dalton’s shameless, gyrating Vixen is a sight to behold, Elena Maria Garcia’s Borscht-belt humor is hard to criticize, and Angel Perez, who doubles as an egotistic star reindeer named Hollywood and as the openly gay Cupid, once again shows a tantalizing ability to take on any character and make it look real. He is a show-stopper. Jeffrey D. Holmes and Jim Gibbons add to the fun. The Eight Reindeer
Monologues will keep audiences in smiles until December 18.

Ron Levitt, an entertainment/travel writer, served as Assistant Secretary of State, overseeing cultural affairs. The former United Press Correspondent is president of the South Florida International Press Club. Reach this column at
rlanetwork@aol.com.

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