Exposé: Holiday Celebrities Tell All!

Book By: Bryan Starchman
Play #: 8296
Pages: 41 pgs
Cast: 13 m, 11 w, 4 flexible, extras, much doubling possible

Every month many look to their calendars and start counting down the days until the next holiday. But what about those who are working behind the scenes to make these holidays great? What about the everyday problems of Cupid, leprechauns, and the New Year's Baby? Do we ever stop to think about their needs? Their wants? No! And that's why they're on strike. Journey through the bizarre, strange, and riotously funny underbelly of the holiday world as the icons we all know and love go on strike in this comedy. See what happens when hunters try to shoot down Rudolph, the Thanksgiving Turkey joins overeaters anonymous, and the Tooth Fairy goes to the dentist. And don't forget the lesser-known holidays like Bad Poetry Day and Stupid Question Day. They need recognition too, and if they don't get it, we may never see another three-day weekend again!

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Productions

CASTLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
CASTLEWOOD, VA 12/15/2023
CASTLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CASTLEWOOD, VA 12/8/2023
FAIRFOREST MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SPARTANBURG, SC 4/21/2023
MARYVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 5 Performance(s)
MARYVILLE, TN 12/15/2021
SOUTH WOODS MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WOODSIDE, NY 11/19/2021
SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
SULLIVAN, IN 11/13/2021
MILLARD NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
OMAHA, NE 2/28/2020
CANYON RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
AUSTIN, TX 12/18/2019
GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
DALLAS, TX 2/21/2018
WILSON HALL 2 Performance(s)
SUMTER, SC 12/9/2017
LAKENHEATH MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
APO, AE 11/30/2017
CLAYMONT HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
DOVER, OH 11/16/2017
CRANDON MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
CRANDON, WI 11/15/2017
CHAPMANVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
CHAPMANVILLE, WV 11/14/2017
OLD OPERA HOUSE THEATRE CO. 1 Performance(s)
CHARLES TOWN, WV 5/20/2017
MARYVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 7 Performance(s)
MARYVILLE, TN 3/13/2017
CHANCELLOR HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
FREDERICKSBRG, VA 2/20/2017
CLARK PLEASANT MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
GREENWOOD , IN 2/15/2017
COPPELL MIDDLE SCHOOL EAST 1 Performance(s)
COPPELL, TX 12/6/2016
AMPHI HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA 1 Performance(s)
TUCSON, AZ 11/18/2016
EAST COWETA MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SENOIA, GA 5/10/2016
SCARBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL 4 Performance(s)
SCARBOROUGH, ME 2/26/2016
TRINITY SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FT. WORTH, TX 12/11/2015
BUTLER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BUTLER, PA 11/20/2015
BGM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS 2 Performance(s)
BROOKLYN, IA 11/13/2015
MVAA 1 Performance(s)
MONESSEN, PA 11/6/2015
MILLER SCHOOLS 1 Performance(s)
MILLER, SD 5/1/2015
CONCORD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ELKHART, IN 12/15/2014
CCHS DRAMA CLUB 2 Performance(s)
CHICOPEE, MA 12/11/2014
PHOENIX CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY 2 Performance(s)
PHOENIX, AZ 11/15/2014
INDIAN MILLS MEMORIAL SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SHAMONG, NJ 10/15/2014
CARLISLE HIGH DRAMA CLUB 1 Performance(s)
CARLISLE, OH 12/5/2013
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CORINTH, ME 11/1/2013
ROYAL SPRING MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
GEORGETOWN, KY 4/26/2013
TRINITY MEADOWS INTERMEDIATE 1 Performance(s)
FORT WORTH, TX 4/15/2013
ARTIE HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CEDAR PARK, TX 12/27/2012
COPPELL MIDDLE SCHOOL EAST 1 Performance(s)
COPPELL, TX 12/20/2012
KENNETH COOPER MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 12/13/2012
ONSTAGE CHILDRENS THEATRE 2 Performance(s)
MORTON, WA 12/7/2012
JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WINSTON SALEM, NC 11/15/2012
H & L LUMBER CO 6 Performance(s)
OAKHURST, CA 5/11/2012
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1 Performance(s)
BRUNSWICK, GA 5/5/2012
CLEAR LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FRIENDSWOOD, TX 2/10/2012
OGEMAW HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WEST BRANCH, MI 12/15/2011
WILSON HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
FLORENCE, AL 12/15/2011
BELLMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BELLE VERNON, PA 11/14/2011
MILLARD NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
OMAHA, NE 11/4/2011
SHELBY COUNTY EAST MIDDLE SCHO 2 Performance(s)
SHELBYVILLE, KY 5/27/2011
LEFLER MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LINCOLN, NE 5/4/2011
LAKEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
FREEPORT, MI 4/21/2011
TEUTOPOLIS H.S. DRAMA CLUB 2 Performance(s)
TEUTOPOLIS, IL 3/25/2011
RIDGWAY SECONDARY SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
RIDGWAY, CO 3/15/2011
MASSAPONAX HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FREDERICKSBURG, VA 12/16/2010
VERNONIA COMMUNITY THEATER 2 Performance(s)
VERNONIA, OR 12/10/2010
VERNONIA COMMUNITY THEATER 1 Performance(s)
VERNONIA, OR 12/10/2010
SPRING BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL 4 Performance(s)
SPRING BRANCH, TX 12/1/2010
COLLINS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
THE WOODLANDS, TX 12/1/2010
BATTLE GROUND ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
FRANKLIN, TN 11/19/2010
BADIN HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
HAMILTON, OH 11/18/2010
TRAFALGAR MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
CAPE CORAL, FL 4/15/2010
HUMPHREY PUBLIC SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
HUMPHREY, NE 3/19/2010
LAKENHEATH MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
APO, AE 2/11/2010
HILLVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 4 Performance(s)
SUNNYVALE, CA 1/21/2010
LOBELVILLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LOBELVILLE, TN 12/20/2009
ANSON HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ANSON, TX 12/17/2009
HAMADY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FLINT, MI 12/10/2009
LEANDER MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LEANDER, TX 5/15/2009
MILLENNIUM MIDDLE SCHL 1 Performance(s)
SANFORD, FL 4/24/2009
EAST WHITTIER MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WHITTIER , CA 4/23/2009
GILMANTON SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
GILMANTON IW, NH 4/17/2009
INWOOD COMMUNITY THEATRE 1 Performance(s)
INWOOD, IA 3/14/2009
BISON SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BISON, SD 3/12/2009
FAIRFOREST MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SPARTANBURG, SC 12/17/2008
CLARK-SHAWNEE SCHOOLS 1 Performance(s)
SPRINGFIELD, OH 12/15/2008
LYON AVIATION, INC. 1 Performance(s)
PITTSFIELD, MA 12/14/2008
OLATHE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
OLATHE, CO 12/1/2008
LAMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
AUSTIN, TX 11/18/2008
CLARKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BERRYVILLE, VA 5/15/2008
NORTH POWDER SCHOOL DISTRICT 1 Performance(s)
NORTH POWDER, OR 5/15/2008
NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CRESBARD, SD 5/2/2008
LITTLE COLONEL PLAYERS 2 Performance(s)
CRESTWOOD, KY 3/1/2008
CHAMBERS PUBLIC SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
CHAMBERS, NE 2/19/2008
PALOMBI MIDDLE SCH 2 Performance(s)
LAKE VILLA, IL 1/6/2008
THE MUSIC CONNECTION 1 Performance(s)
TEHACHAPI, CA 12/22/2007
F K SWEET ELEMENTARY 1 Performance(s)
FT PIERCE, FL 12/13/2007
MASSAPONAX HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FREDERICKSBURG, VA 12/6/2007
MARYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL 5 Performance(s)
MARYVILLE, TN 5/14/2007
CORNELIA CONNELLY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SEAL BEACH, CA 3/16/2007
LEANDER MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LEANDER, TX 12/20/2006
OLENTANGY ORANGE MIDDLE SCH 2 Performance(s)
LEWIS CENTER, OH 12/15/2006
CANYON RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
AUSTIN, TX 12/15/2006
ALTOONA SCHOOLS 1 Performance(s)
ALTOONA, PA 12/15/2006
TIMBERVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
COLORADO SPGS, CO 12/8/2006
MADISON RIDGELAND ACADEMY 1 Performance(s)
MADISON, MS 12/1/2006
POWELL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BIG STONE GAP, VA 11/20/2006
REDWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS 1 Performance(s)
SAN LORENZO, CA 11/17/2006
POWELL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BIG STONE GAP, VA 11/16/2006
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
COLUMBUS, IN 11/15/2006
THOUSAND ISLANDS HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
REDWOOD, NY 11/8/2006
POWELL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BIG STONE GAP, VA 11/6/2006
DADE COUNTY THEATRE 2 Performance(s)
GREENFIELD, MO 8/11/2006
ARNOLD MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 5/12/2006
MOULTON HIGH SCH 1 Performance(s)
MOULTON, TX 5/1/2006
ADA JR HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
ADA, OK 2/27/2006
VAN ALSTYNE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
VAN ALSTYNE, TX 1/28/2006
DORAL ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
DORAL, FL 1/15/2006
RUNNING BRUSHY MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
CEDAR PARK , TX 12/15/2005
BILLINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BILLINGS, MT 12/15/2005
GAINESVILLE ASSOC CREAT ARTS 5 Performance(s)
GAINESVILLE, FL 12/14/2005
BLYTHEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BLYTHEWOOD , SC 12/10/2005
CADDO MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SHREVEPORT, LA 12/9/2005
MARIPOSA CO HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
MARIPOSA, CA 12/9/2005
NORMAN SCHOOL WAREHOUSE 2 Performance(s)
NORMAN, OK 12/5/2005
ANNAWAN DRAMA 1 Performance(s)
ANNAWAN, IL 12/2/2005
COMAL SCHOOLS 2 Performance(s)
NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 12/1/2005
LIBERTY-BENTON HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
FINDLAY, OH 12/1/2005
PEARLAND JR HIGH EAST 1 Performance(s)
PEARLAND, TX 11/10/2005
STARKWEATHER SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
STARKWEATHER, ND 11/8/2005
BOWDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BOWDLE, SD 11/7/2005
HIGH PLAINS COMM MIDDLE SCH 2 Performance(s)
CLARKS, NE 11/5/2005
DRAMA 1 Performance(s)
ARLINGTON, NE 11/1/2005
SAVANNAH MIDDLE SCH 1 Performance(s)
SAVANNAH, GA 10/5/2005

Behind The Scenes

PLAYWRIGHT BRYAN STARCHMAN TALKS ABOUT

"EXPOSÉ: HOLIDAY CELEBRITIES TELL ALL"

 

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?

A: This all started as a short scene I wrote about Santa Claus flying over the Carolinas and Rudolph getting shot down by some hunters. I called it "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Open Season" and when I showed it to a few of my students who encouraged me to write more. Eventually I found a holiday icon for every month of the year and the comic situations I could put them in were endless. It's like thinking about a cat stealing a car or kitchen appliances rebelling against their owners; it's strangely funny and fascinating to think about these non-human entities taking on human emotions, wants, and needs.

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?

A: My favorite part is in the Santa scene when the two backwoods yokels are trying to figure out why there are presents scattered everywhere after they shot down Rudolph. They still don't know that they've shot down Santa's sleigh..."a supernatural flying piñata." I think I love this part because three of my high school actors put on this scene at lunch just before Christmas and this line got a HUGE laugh.

 

Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?

A: Well, the basic holiday icons were easy enough. The hard part was when I decided to have twelve holiday creatures, one for every month. I did some research and found that there is an official holiday for every day of the year and so that's where I found Bad Poetry Day and Stupid Question Day. Admittedly, a lot of my characters are based on my students. The Gothic girl that Cupid runs in to when he tries speed dating is a hybrid of a few of my Goth students. The bald eagle is based on a good friend of mine who refuses to admit that yes, he is going bald. The PETA protestors are really making fun of me and my girlfriend Noel (we're both tree huggers and proud of it).

 

Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?

A: Usually I write about real people or teenagers in real situations (usually embarrassing and farcical ones) but with my last Eldridge play, "With Regard to Cooper Clawson's Conscience," I forgot all about reality and allowed my characters to wander through space and time. This may seem like cheating, but it also made for some very funny moments. I decided to try writing a play completely based on fictional characters that we all knew when we were innocent children but now have to re-evaluate as adults. There are a lot of people that I knew as a child and now know as an adult (like.my parents) and how I view them has completely changed. I had that sudden epiphany one day when I realized that my parents were human beings and they too could make mistakes. It seems like a real duh-duh concept now, but at the time (I was 19) it was revolutionary. So I took that same concept and applied it to the myths of my childhood. What would Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Cupid be like if I met them in a bar? This play answers that pressing question.

 

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

A: I'm known for rambling so I think I've covered it all. However, as far as costumes go, don't freak out. The sets for this play are very minimal but the costumes may seem elaborate and expensive. If your actors are believable and make the characters their own, the costumes shouldn't be a big concern.