Classic noir intrigue is infiltrated by bold, vaudevillian characters in Denizen Theatre’s family-friendly December show, “Christmastown: A Holiday Noir,” written by Seattle-based playwright, Wayne Rawley. Boasting a rich, moody noir world and a heap of clever holiday puns, “Christmastown” aims to tickle and inspire the Hudson Valley community in a new way this winter.
Christmastown: A Holiday Noir follows a hard-boiled private eye, Nick Holiday, as he searches for the truth about Santa Claus. With some steamy leads from a vixen of an elf, Nick navigates the underbelly of Christmastown to help solve his case; but not before a cast of characters including a shady used Christmas tree salesman, Santa imposters, and a couple of bumbling elf henchman, among others, try to foil his leads.
“This time of year, we know that people are craving the holiday experience, and new, exciting things to do as a family, and we’re so proud to offer a fresh twist on classic holiday stories in a way that we feel a very wide audience will be uplifted by,” said Co-Artistic Director, Brittany Proia. “We’re also eager to make people laugh, really hard, which I’m certain they will be doing throughout the whole show.” Proia continued.
Directed by Denizen Co-Artistic Director, Ben Williamson, “Christmastown: A Holiday Noir” stars Gio Naarendorp, Ally Condrath, Jake Mann, and Valerie Lynn Brett. Naarendorp, Condrath, and Mann are three members of the New York City based sketch group, Dinner For One, currently the #1 selling sketch show at New York City’s The PIT comedy theatre. Brett returns to the Denizen stage in this show after her role last year as Cal in Denizen’s inaugural production “Cal In Camo.” The artists that conjured the rich world of light and shadow, sultry sounds, crisp noir essence, and not to mention 14 character looks for 4 actors are Sound & Scenic Designer, Noel Carey; Lighting Designer, Ryan Finzelber; Costume Designer, Chris English; and Props Designer, Brittany Proia.
“Christmastown: A Holiday Noir” opens Friday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m., with previews on December 4 and 5, and runs through Sunday, December 29.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m, Wednesdays through Saturdays, and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $28 regular, $24 under 30/seniors, and $5 students. There are two Pay-What-You-Can nights: December 4 and 11. Following every Wednesday performance, there will be a talkback with the actors.
You can find more information at denizentheatre.com.
Denizen Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional black box theatre at Water Street Market in New Paltz, NY that produces new plays year round. Box office: 845-303-4136 • Website: denizentheatre.com • Denizen is located at 10 Main Street, Suite 501, New Paltz, NY 12561.