Christmas With a Twist
Too much sugar this Christmas season? This trio of 10-minute plays provides the perfect antidote, a fun and funny twist to the holiday season. In "Another Turn of the Scrooge," (3 m) the old curmudgeon we all know and love pays the price for his first good deed as his life takes yet another Christmas turn. In the second play, "The Man Who Shot Santa Claus," (2 m, 1 w) a man on trial for killing Santa Claus is defended by a slick lawyer, who argues that Santa had it coming! In the final play, "Gift of the Magi - The Untold Story," (1 m, 1 w) reality sets in just after the conclusion of O'Henry's classic short story, as husband and wife quarrel over the cutting of her hair and the selling of his watch.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT CARL WILLIAMS TALKS ABOUT
"CHRISTMAS WITH A TWIST"
Q.: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A.: I got tired of seeing the same old heartfelt plays at Christmas (not that I have anything against heartfelt plays). So I came up with three short comedies that would add a tart twist to the usual Christmas cheer.
Q.: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A.: In "Another Turn of the Scrooge" I enjoyed the whole notion of Scrooge's good deed having unintended, calamitous consequences. In "The Man Who Shot Santa Claus" I liked showing how a slick lawyer might portray Santa as a disreputable character. And in "Gift of the Magi - The Untold Story" I liked exploring, in a comic way, how self-sacrifice could dissolve quickly into second thoughts.
Q.: WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART IN CREATING THIS WORK?
A.: Honestly, it was a lot of fun. Crafting and polishing a play is always work, but sometimes, as in this case, it's very pleasurable.
Q.: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A.: I just wanted to make the audience laugh and offer an alternative to the usual Christmas fare.
Q.: ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY?
A.: Merry Christmas!