Tulsa World - December 20, 2006

Rudolph for realists

By KAREN SHADE, 12/20/2006

The Eight- Reindeer Monologues

Performers in 'The Eight: The Reindeer Monologues' include John Cruncleton (from left), Jason Watts, Owen Froeschle, Lynn Robertson (seated), Joseph Gomez and Dale Sams. ROBERT S. CROSS / Tulsa World

'Reindeer Monologues' scores one for cynics

The traditionalists have it wrong with their image of eight tiny reindeer happily prancing through the cold night sky delivering packages to good children everywhere.

Indeed, the working conditions are less than perfect, the team spirit wanting and the gossip all too rampant among the voices telling their stories in "The Eight: The Reindeer Monologues," continuing this weekend at Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. Fourth St.

Written by Jeff Goode, "Reindeer Monologues" sets a sex scandal in the North Pole where members of the magical sleigh team comment on an alleged Santa assault on Vixen (Lynn Kelsey). What they actually give us, however, is an absurd, twisted (and often funny) reversal of the conventional Christmas play.

These are, after all, reindeer suited up in coveralls, goggles, high heels and tights. They may be a pack of alcoholics, homophobes and tarts, but they are also the chosen among hooved mammals, each with a bundle of bows, holly and berries affixed to their felt antlers.

You expect this kind of irreverence and absurdity from the playwright and theater behind Tulsa's run of "Poona -- and Other Stories for Children." "Poona," by the way, was one of Nightingale's biggest hits and is not a play for children.

Neither are these stories. Each reindeer (with a dollop of black paint on the nose, felt antlers, bow and holly on top) takes a turn in a break room confessional amidst beer cans, cigarette butts and other junk cluttering the floor.

Tough guy Dasher (Dale Sams with a dollop of black paint on his nose), the lead reindeer, lets us know upfront the situation's bad, he's fed up and doesn't want anything to do with it anymore.

He is followed by a series of other stereotypes -- Cupid (John Cruncleton), the spectacled girly stag; male-bashin' feminist Blitzen (Sara Cruncleton); flighty flake Dancer (Kaycee Johnson); and others.

The show wanes in places, whether for the dialogue or the performer, but it also finds a stride that tramples over notions that holiday shows need be all fluff, dusted in sugar and conclude on a heart-warming note.

"Reindeer Monologues" is a dark comedy, without a doubt, that plays out like "E! True Hollywood Story." You get a guilty kick from snickering as a rehabilitated former drug-addict Comet (Joseph Gomez) talks about his troubled past, but relax -- these are flying reindeer we're talking about.

But, beware -- reindeer do talk.

"The Eight: The Reindeer Monologues" continues at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. For reservations, call 583-8487.