Christmas noir to get people in the spirit
An original musical being staged by Hobnob Theatre asks the question, what happened the night before Christmas?
After staging a successful original variety show-style play last year, Hobnob’s creative team embarked on another writing challenge this year — which culminated in a whodunit holiday mystery story, penned by Deanna Sparrow. The whodunit is based on the Christmas poem, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and involves the investigation of a present-laundering scheme at the North Pole.
Mystery, musical numbers and comedy ensue.
“The main problem is Santa comes to see a detective on Christmas Eve, he's worried his head elf is involved in some sort of crime, and Mrs. Claus has walked out on him,” Sparrow said. “A crime mystery is a way to describe it.”
Ken Smith, who co-founded Hobnob with his wife, Elizabeth Smith, directs the musical.
Smith said this year’s Christmas show is bigger than last year’s in almost every way, starting with the increased cast size of six adults and 17 children.
Despite taking on a different genre by employing elements of film noir, Smith said the show is still a family-friendly comedy that is meant first and foremost to entertain. Smith said he and Sparrow felt they could stretch the musical numbers and comedy to levels further than before, because viewers will likely suspend their disbelief for the Christmas elements of the show.
“Part of it is that Christmastime it’s a time among all others where people are open to really reveling in the Christmas spirit,” Smith said. “People like to go out as a family and celebrate the spirit of Christmas.”
Sparrow wrote the lyrics to the songs while Smith composed the music. Another positive aspect for Sparrow and Smith of writing an original musical is seeing their work come to life, which Smith said has been exciting to see in rehearsals.
“As far as the musical goes, it’s always exciting to see your work performed,” he said. “It’s never been done and I love the idea of bringing something brand new and collaborating.”
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas — A Musical Noir!” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, and Saturday, Dec. 21, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, all at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.
Smith said Butler business Totalus will serve specialty beverages during the show, which runs about an hour and 10 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are available online at hobnobtheatre.com.
Sparrow said she is looking forward to seeing audiences experience the familiar feel of a Christmas show through the lens of an original story produced entirely in Butler County.
“I was waiting for the chance to write a funny noir play,” she said. “We hope to bring some joy and fun at the holidays.”
