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Friday, November 10, 2000

Vol. 86, No. 56

Christmas twist:

Marleen Troutt
Daily Egyptian

Allegations of sexual abuse and poor working conditions are pushing the world's most beloved man into scandal.

In "The Eight Reindeer Monologues," the flying elite force of reindeer shock the audience with the truth about working for Santa Claus (a.k.a. the jolly old elf, the fat man, Kris Kringle, St. Nick).

Vixen (Starina Johnson), dressed in a slinky black number, says the bearded benefactor raped her. But her promiscuous past has been called into question, perhaps damaging her testimony.

With radically diverse personalities and flawed subjectivity, the reindeer share their stories with the press in the form of monologues this weekend in the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theater.

Each of the antlered team serve a slice of varying political special interests, exposing prejudice and corruption in American government and big business. Cases of chauvinism, feminism and homosexuality jingle bells of truth throughout the silly premise crafted by television writer Jeff Goode (MTV's "Undressed" and the F/X show "Fast Food Films").

The Reindeer Monologues were written pre-Lewinsky, but forecast the affair eerily.

"The play has overtones of the most powerful man in the world, abuse of power in the workplace and things that are still shaping politics today," said director Michael Gonzalez, who works as a publicity agent for McLeod.

This is the first play performed by the SIUC Student Theater Guild (STG), usually responsible for the legwork behind other Theater Department productions. It's a great first effort, demonstrating that STG is capable of greater contributions than posting fliers. They will tackle "The Vagina Monologues" in February, continuing in the non-traditional vein of drama.

Blonde Vixen gave a testimony so convincing, a jury would convict Santa. Johnson effectively draws watchers into the North Pole scandal, eager to hear every vulgar detail.

Cupid (Jason McAdams) fawned a fluffy blue boa around his tight red flare pants. McAdams describes the play as "Christmas on crack." Playing the gay gossip, he dishes the dirt on the Clauses kinky sex life and his own fascination with the whip in over-the-top flamboyance.

Jeff Erickson (Comet) drove a serious role into show-stealing hilarity. Comet's stint robbing convenient marts while eight-balling coke ended when Santa, known for his work with troubled deer, rescued him.

Erickson's suspicious expressions, with tightly drawn lips, hunched back and one raised eyebrow, gave the monologue long-lasting, eye-tearing laughter. His personal spin made the character a funny do-gooder.

Before Santa implemented the toy maker apprenticeship program, elves were towel boys in a Turkish brothel. Poor Rudolph, a retarded gimp from the start, has forever been scarred by Santa's sexual abuse. He is left in his padded cell, and sings Christmas songs about genitalia.

Gonzalez enjoys being able to expand collegiate theater outside of "safe" scripts. He hopes the biting quip will provoke citizens to be active in changing things.

"Theater should be challenging and be instantly in your face, and if it offends you, good ... if it makes you think," Gonzalez said, adding that SIU has not been afraid to tackle edgy material. "[SIU] is cheering us on. They like to see the students take an interest in progressive theater."

For the sake of all that is innocent, leave the children at home. Visions of sugarplums dancing in the heads of audience members will be squashed by "The Eight Reindeer Monologues." But the adult twist on holiday merry-making will jiggle jelly-bellies with satire.

Factoid: "The Eight Reindeer Monologues" begins at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theater in the Communications Building. Tickets cost $5. Call 453-3001 for more information. This play is not suitable for children.


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