An Arctic Confederate Christmas by Michael C. O'Day

[FULL LENGTH] It's Christmas Eve in Barrow, Alaska, a hundred years from now; thanks to climate disaster, a handful of fascist white ethnostates ringing the Arctic Circle are all that remains of humanity. The home of water executive Bob Whitaker is buzzing with anticipation of the return of Bob's long-lost brother Jeff - but Jeff has brought secrets with him, too dangerous for the Arctic Confederacy...
[FULL LENGTH] It's Christmas Eve in Barrow, Alaska, a hundred years from now; thanks to climate disaster, a handful of fascist white ethnostates ringing the Arctic Circle are all that remains of humanity. The home of water executive Bob Whitaker is buzzing with anticipation of the return of Bob's long-lost brother Jeff - but Jeff has brought secrets with him, too dangerous for the Arctic Confederacy to allow to be made public. Now the Whitaker family must protect Jeff even as they confront ghosts from their own past - all while trying to have the Best Christmas Ever.
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An Arctic Confederate Christmas

Recommended by

  • Lee R. Lawing:
    23 Sep. 2022
    “ Who knew that even in dystopia, families will still love to argue at Christmas. The title pulled me in, O'Day's magistry of the words and this family kept me reading. Traditions are what we all grow up with and it's strange to think of those traditions becoming ones that are used to further a side in a conflict or their own way of thinking as if it's better than all the others. This play is funny and very real and also horrific because this future could sadly be ours. We better watch out. ”
  • Dave Osmundsen:
    24 Jun. 2022
    “ We’ve seen many post-apocalyptic plays. But not many set specifically at Christmas! Michael C. O’Day constructs a vividly austere and Orwellian world with its own carefully crafted mythology. This play is a masterclass in developing suspense. I can’t think of many other plays that have kept my on tenterhooks over such an extended period of time. Beyond the intriguing setting and dynamic characters, this is a play about how the stories we tell and are told can hurt and heal us. Fantastic work! ”
  • Jasmine Spiess:
    22 Jun. 2022
    “ What a horrifically fantastic play this is (in the best way!)! It was great to see it onstage as part of the Valdez Theatre Conference! You are a master world-builder. I love that this play is driven by the need to have some "normalcy" by having Christmas in an apocalyptic world. The harder the characters try to have a normal Christmas, the more the truth comes out - such a wild ride! Jeff's monologue about what he saw is still dancing around in my head. Looking forward to seeing its further development and production! Congratulations, Michael! ”

4 men, 2 women, 1 offstage voice (any)

CAST:

BOB WHITAKER - male, around 40, full of desperate cheer
JEANNE WHITAKER - female, around 40, his wife, also full of desperate cheer
JIMMY WHITAKER - male, around 9, their son, bratty
BECKY WHITAKER - female, around 8, their daughter, precocious
JEFF WHITAKER - male, late 30s, Bob's younger brother, weathered and haunted
MISTER FROST - male, 30s-50s, full of sinister good cheer
VOICE (offstage) - any age/gender, bright and officious

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Valdez Theatre Festival
    ,
    2022