YULETIDE TALL TALES

A play for family audiences in one act By John Hardy

Production Details

The play can be performed with as few five actors and as many as twenty. If desired, the playwright can supply a cast breakdown for five actors. Sets, costumes and props should be minimal. The play runs approximately forty five minutes.

If desired, the playwright has, in his repertoire, two or three playlets that can be "Christmasized" and added to this play to extend the running time to approximately one hour and twenty minutes.

About the Play

This wild, whacky, and, at times, touching play is guaranteed to entertain all ages, from kindergarten to adults. The play consists of three Christmas stories and between each of them, a theatrical episode of the well-known poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas, told in the context of a television news reporter broadcasting the breaking story of a visit from Santa Claus. The three stories that make up the play are:

• RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER: The animals of Forestburg are in for a sad Christmas. For several years now Santa Claus has not been able to find their out-of-the-way village. Rudolph appears, having left his home after being made fun of because of his red nose. He has been studying directional analysis and has become a leading expert on the subject. The animals of Forestburg persuade Rudolph to journey to the North Pole and direct Santa to their village. Rudolph covers his nose, to avoid further humiliation, and upon arriving at the North Pole, he participates in a series of "reindeer games" which will determine the fittest reindeer for sled pulling. During the "games", Rudolph's nose is exposed. Santa realizes the unique value of Rudolph's nose and asks Rudolph to guide his sleigh on Christmas Eve. Rudolph guides Santa's sleigh and returns to the village of Forestburg much to the delight of its furry inhabitants.
  
  
• THE CHRISTMAS TREE: A World War II era story. A young Samuel and his father plant a fir tree every year so that one day, Samuel will be able to cut it down for his family Christmas tree. This particular tree is special. The whole town notices its beauty. It seems to provide the best shade in the summer and warmth in the winter. Samuel proposes to Angela beneath that tree and then soon after he is called to serve in the Army. After parachuting behind enemy lines he finds protection from a tree much like his own. He survives behind the protection of that tree and returns to his life back home where he and Angela start a family of their own. He cuts down that tree and later makes a table out of its wood. Food never tasted better than when served on that table, made from the wood of Samuel's tree, and that table hosts many a Christmas dinner for years to come.
  
  
• OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS: Gloria's family is a bit weird. Her parents, Fred and Ginger, fancy themselves dancers. On their annual trip to Grandma's house for Christmas dinner, they stop their horse-drawn-sleigh at the skating rink for some hockey and ice dancing. After another stop at the Christmas Ball, where everyone dances to Christmas music, they continue on to Grandma's house. But unfortunately, the horse does not know the way. Lost and frightened, they are held captive by Buster Bad, an embittered poet who lost his love on Christmas Eve many years ago. Gloria befriends Buster who then accompanies the family to Grandma's house, only to learn that Grandma is his long lost love. The happy reunion makes this the best Christmas ever. All dance in celebration.
  
  

Royalty Fees

• First two performances: $50 each
• Subsequent performances: $30 each