It’s the time of year for “chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” and the Theater at Monmouth believes the best chestnuts for roasting are some of our well-worn Christmas tropes.
“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some),” which runs at the Monmouth theater starting Friday, is a madcap take on holiday classics from the Norelco Santa to Rudolph (who’s morphed, due to copyright issues and a desire to keep things local, into “Morton the Mauve-nosed Moose”). The show includes a showdown between the Scrooge-like George Bailey of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and Scrooge himself, of the Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)”
WHERE: Theater at Monmouth, Cumston Hall, 796 Main St.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. preview Thanksgiving Day; 7:30 p.m., Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 3-5; 1 p.m. Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6.
HOW MUCH: $25; $10 and non-perishable food donation for preview only
INFO: theateratmonmouth.org, 933-9999
Three actors handle the madness, which, according to the theater, features Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to now, and “every carol ever sung.” The approach promises some relief to people who might find it a bit agonizing to encounter the same songs and ads year after year. Few pop-culture references, spanning the decades, escape the amiable ridicule, director Dawn McAndrews said. The show is an antidote, too, to how retailers intrude on the holidays earlier and earlier every year.
“It’s irreverent but also about a great love for celebrating the holidays – so, irreverent and celebratory,” she said. “I go home with a stomach ache after rehearsal from laughing so hard.”
The show is recommended for ages 13 and above, not so much because it’s very racy – it isn’t – but because younger people may not be ready for a few allusions to details of Santa’s North Pole operations.
The theater is presenting a special preview of the show on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, where all tickets will be $10 and non-perishable food donations for Monmouth Food Pantry are requested. Tickets for other performances are $25.
Daphne Howland is a freelance writer based in Portland.
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