About six months ago, Carlo Rivieccio,
artistic director of the Brooklyn Theater Arts Project, watched
a friend perform one of the monologues from Jeff Goode's "The
Eight: Reindeer Monologues."
He was very impressed with what he saw.
"I thought it was very funny," Rivieccio told GO Brooklyn.
"I got the script and then went to the executive board [of
Brooklyn Theater Arts] and said, 'I think we may want to look
at this to do after 'Godspell.' It's small. It's funny. And it's
different. And nobody in Brooklyn has seen it.'"
Rivieccio explained that the play is 10 years old and has run
in various cities including Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas,
but never in Brooklyn.
"The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" is a dark comedy about
what happens when scandalous allegations are leveled at the most
beloved resident of the North Pole - Santa Claus.
"Vixen has Santa brought up on sexual harassment charges
and each of the reindeer tells a bit about himself," said
Rivieccio. "It's similar to Eve Ensler's 'The Vagina Monologues'
in that different people tell their story, and there's no dialogue.
The difference is that each reindeer's speech gives more and
more of the picture." (Blitzen, played by Liz Lord, is pictured.)
Each of the reindeer comes into the spotlight to share a tale
of corruption that implicates everyone: Dasher, who opposes Vixen,
makes implicating comments about Rudolph. Cupid, who speaks next,
tells his life story and sides with Vixen.
The unfolding tale is for mature audiences. In fact, no one under
16 will be admitted to the theater.
"It's a comedy. It's a parody," said Rivieccio. In
fact anyone who watches "Reindeer Monologues" may never
see Santa in the same northern light(s) again.
"The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" plays Dec. 18 at 9
pm at Christ Church Bay Ridge, 7301 Ridge Blvd. between 73rd
and 74th streets. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call (718)
390-7189.
- Paulanne Simmons