Tolucan Times
December 9, 2010
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues Provide Fun Profanity
By Mary Mallory
The Alliance Repertory Company presents a very entertaining but profane look at the stories of Santa's reindeer crew and how they relate to him in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, a benefit for their company. It features excellent acting in a story that totally subverts the popular notion of Santa, the reindeer, and the North Pole.
As a Christmas show, the presentation began with a nice tongue-in-cheek reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas by Bryan Kopta, looking very dashing in Santa hat and robe.
The Reindeer Monologues is a series of monologues by Santa's eight reindeer presenting evidence about Santa's arrest for sexual harassment. Each is a confession of shocking allegations about Santa and unseemly behavior, told very hilariously but in a graphic and profane way.
Directors Royana Black and David G. Peryam bring a jolt of energy to the presentation, keeping the production lively and flowing through the actors' performances, while the staging of the monologues remains static and seated as the deer give evidence.
The fine cast smartly underplays their roles, making their readings even more hilarious. Darrell Bryan gives a drolly dry performance as Dasher, while Javier Ronceros wickedly winks as Cupid. JP Hubbell makes Prancer a smirking, ego-driven Hollywood wannabe. Peryam's Donner is poignant and sweet, while Black's Vixen is a hottie with a vulnerable side.
A very irreverent though principled play about naughty goings-on at the North Pole, "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues" is strictly adult entertainment featuring graphic, profane dialogue.
The Alliance Repertory Company presents a benefit performance of The Eight: Reindeer Monologues on Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. at the Alliance Repertory Company, 4930 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood. Tickets cost $25 and are available online at www.alliancerepertory.org or by calling (818) 284-6799. Guests are invited to bring a gift to donate to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.