Brattleboro Reformer - December 3, 2005


BRATTLEBORO -- If you're looking for something different this season, "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" may be just the entertainment for you.

In Jeff Goode's wickedly funny, subversive contribution to the holiday season, Santa's annual journey through the night sky is eclipsed by a shocking scandal swirling around his workshop.

Eight very articulate anthropomorphized reindeer, played by William Stearns, Harry Bauld, Shoshana Rihn, David Woodberry, Richard Epstein, Jim Maxwell, Nan Mann and Beth Kiendl, discuss the terrible scandal that has polarized opinion at the North Pole.

Toyland squabbles, gossip and innuendo are the same found in any workplace. Ms. Claus, it's alleged, is a bored boozy old broad; the elves are all fatuous imbeciles, and what happenend to poor disfigured Rudolph is anyone's guess.

This is definitely naughty, not nice, but playwright Jeff Goode, now a television writer in Los Angeles, is out to do more than merely shock. He has crafted a series of richly drawn characters who display their vanities, fears and self-deceptions. Drop the antlers and you might recognize at least one of these beasts.

"The Eight," a Snack Theatre production, will run for three nights, Dec. 8-10 at the Hooker Dunham Theater, 139 Main St. Snack will be served in the lobby at 6:30 p.m. with the 80-minute show following at 7 p.m. The $8 ticket includes snack and the performance.

Due to mature content, this show is not recommended for children or uptight adults. For information and reservations, call (802) 254- 9276.