A down-on-his-luck detective, a femme fatale, and a missing Santa Clause – Adams State University Theatre presents “Christmastown: A Holiday Noir,” by Wayne Rawley and directed by Jenna Neilsen, professor of theatre. Tickets go on sale online Monday, Nov. 11, at theatre.adams.edu.
“Christmastown: A Holiday Noir,” an ensemble driven, action-packed, parody of film noir and the holiday season, opens December 6. It’s a play for everyone who loves Christmas and for anyone who maybe doesn’t quite so much. It’s “Sam Spade” meets “Kris Kringle,” literally, in a fun, fast-paced, heartfelt, and holly-jolly holiday mystery-thriller.
The detective, Nick Holiday, needs to save Christmas. His investigation takes him all over Christmastown, including Santa’s castle, and to the owner of the largest department store’s penthouse, and even into the Christmas tree lot where he has a run-in with territorial, tough reindeer.
The play blends film noir and Christmas, with a healthy dose of secular holiday references including a taxi car with one red light, whose driver is Rudy; and a man called Tiny, who has a limp. And there is intrigue, who is involved in the disappearance of Santa, how far up does it go? “This light-hearted, funny play is heartwarming with a satisfying ending,” Professor Neilsen said.
With the standard film noir effects, including venetian blinds, silhouettes, and the feel and nostalgia of the 40s and 50s lighting, this special holiday treat will leave the audience with a sense of joy and humor.
A subscriber to the website, New Play Exchange, a site for playwrights to share their work before being published, Professor Neilsen read the script for “Christmastown: A Holiday Noir.” “It was the right size for a holiday show, it is festive and joyful, and it made me chuckle.”
Professor Neilsen collaborated with her fellow School of Visual and Performing Arts professors. She leans into the black-n-white era of film noir, partnering with Peter Costas, assistant professor of art, to create a photo backdrop of 40s-looking scenes. Melinda Leoce, Ph.D., professor of music, composed a song for Holly Wonderland, the elf who hires Detective Holiday; and theatre students designed the lights, sound, and costumes and Tim Gross, assistant professor of theatre, designed the set.
The play is family friendly and appropriate for all ages. Public performances of “Christmastown: A Holiday Noir” run at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 13, and 14; and 2 p.m., Dec. 8, on the San Luis Valley Federal Bank Main Stage, located in the Theatre Building. The Share the Magic benefit performance for La Puente Home is Dec. 7. The production is sponsored in part through the generosity of Billings Electric and Valley Lock and Security.
Tickets are $13 for general public and free to Associated Students and Faculty (AS&F) with current Adams State I.D. Starting November 11, tickets may be purchased online. For telephone or in-person ticket orders, the box office will open November 18. Box office hours, from November 18 through December 13, are 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 719-587-8499.
