Hugo Saves Christmas...in May! by Steven Hayet

FULL LENGTH: A year-round Christmas store is going out of business and Hugo, a longtime loyal customer, refuses to accept the news.

Commissioned by Roaring Epiphany Production Company
Semifinalist - 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival
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Hugo Saves Christmas...in May!

Recommended by

  • Gather by the Ghost Light:
    8 Feb. 2024
    “ We produced an audio play version of this script on the Gather by the Ghost Light podcast (https://www.gatherbytheghostlight.com/s4e2). Hayet has built a story filled with nostalgia, humor, and tenacity. Hugo's passion for holding on to Christmas year round is the perfect contrast to the opposing character, Maya, and Hayet unfolds the story in such a way that you are pulling for both of them. And just like the year round Christmas Store in this script, this is a play that you don't have to wait for the holiday season to produce. It's relevant year round! ”
  • Brenton Kniess:
    7 Jun. 2023
    “ Hayet crafts all the right elements audiences want in a Christmas story. It's charming, sweet, and full of so much heart! ”
  • John Bavoso:
    4 Jun. 2023
    “ All I have to say is: Hallmark Channel, when? (Other than after the WGA strike, obviously.) Hayet has created a holiday script that hits all the sentimental notes audiences expect while still sidestepping many cliches and obvious choices one would anticipate. I was particularly struck by the nuanced conversation around adult children’s obligations to their parents. This play is a no-brained for theatres—especially since it can be produced year-round! ”
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Character Information

  • HUGO McGee
    30s,
    Male
    Gus from "Psych" meets Dug from "Up."
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • MAYA Kaplan
    30s,
    Female
    Mila Kunis in "A Bad Moms Christmas" meets Dante from "Clerks."
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • CATHERINE McGee
    Hugo's mother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • RACHEL Kaplan
    Maya's mother, co-owner of Yuletide Cheer Holiday Store
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary

Development History

  • Commission
    ,
    Roaring Epiphany Production Company
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Roaring Epiphany Production Company
    ,
    2022

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Roaring Epiphany Production Company
    ,
    2023
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Gather by the Ghost Light
    ,
    2023

Awards