By STU CLAMPITT
news@readthereporter.com
Main Street Productions (MSP) is staging six one-act plays collectively entitled “Christmas at the Playhouse” at Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St., Westfield, for one weekend only, Dec. 9 to 11.
Three directors are in charge of two plays each. One of those directors, Kelly Keller, spoke to The Reporter about Tradition and Garland, Gynos and Gurneys, the two plays he is bringing to the stage.
“Tradition is about a couple who are in the process of wrapping Christmas presents,” Keller said. “While they are wrapping presents you get a sense of the challenges they are having around the holiday season. They talk about the things that we do that are traditions that we all do just because they are. It’s a cute little piece that talks about why we do the traditions that we do and what the cost is of doing them. It’s about the frustration and anxiety of the holidays.”
Keller told The Reporter he is enjoying his two plays because they will offer holiday entertainment without a heavy message.
“What I like about this Tradition is that everybody is going to be in the audience nodding their heads going, ‘Oh yeah! I’ve said that to my wife a hundred times and she’s responded just like that a hundred times,’” Keller said. “The same for the ladies. Everyone is going to know what’s going on here. The thing I love about my two plays is they are very cute. People are going to walk away smiling.”
Garland, Gynos and Gurneys is a story about man whose wife has recently left him. His son is quite angry and blames Santa for his mom leaving.
“The kid is very frustrated,” Keller said. “It’s Christmas Eve and the kid is waiting up so he can tell Santa what he thinks of him and give him the business. At the same time, the dad’s sister is there, and they both try to dress up as Santa with no good success.”
There is also a brief surprise appearance at the end of that show, which you will have to see for yourself.
Keller has been in the theater community for eight years and has worked with everyone in his two casts with only one exception: the young man who is frustrated with Santa.
“I saw him in a play, and he did a fantastic job,” Keller said. “I asked his director and cast what they thought. He came highly recommended. He’s the only one I haven’t worked with yet.”
MSP is alternating each year between a series of one-act plays and a single, full production. Keller has been accepted by the board direct the 2023 Christmas production.
“Christmas at the Playhouse” promises to be a light-hearted look at the holiday season that should leave audiences feeling entertained and uplifted.
Go to westfieldplayhouse.org/showstickets or call (317) 402-3341 for tickets. Online reservations will close two hours before each show.