Yuletide Shakedown (2019 Version)

by Peter Fenton

*UNDERGOING REVISION* Full-length. A holiday rom-com interrupted by local politics and conspiracy at the North Pole. She's a village school teacher. He's the son of Santa and Mayor Claus. When an otherwise festive romantic comedy plot unfolds, a blackmail scandal in Santa's Workshop turns the peaceful North Pole upside down during Mrs. Claus's campaign for Mayor. Narrated by a sassy talking Snowman.

*UNDERGOING REVISION* Full-length. A holiday rom-com interrupted by local politics and conspiracy at the North Pole. She's a village school teacher. He's the son of Santa and Mayor Claus. When an otherwise festive romantic comedy plot unfolds, a blackmail scandal in Santa's Workshop turns the peaceful North Pole upside down during Mrs. Claus's campaign for Mayor. Narrated by a sassy talking Snowman.

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Yuletide Shakedown (2019 Version)

Recommended by

  • Claudia Haas: Yuletide Shakedown (2019 Version) by Peter Fenton
    “

    Fenton delivers a perfect Yuletide entree of silly politics, Christmas carols, and Red Riding Hood (you heard that right), all wrapped up with the perfect bow. A delight for elf-lovers, parents, and children, there’s something for everyone which is always our holiday wish.

    Fenton delivers a perfect Yuletide entree of silly politics, Christmas carols, and Red Riding Hood (you heard that right), all wrapped up with the perfect bow. A delight for elf-lovers, parents, and children, there’s something for everyone which is always our holiday wish.

    ”
  • Donald E. Baker: Yuletide Shakedown (2019 Version) by Peter Fenton
    “

    It required a weirdly creative mind to come up with the recipe for this holiday treat. 1. Mash up a story right out of the Christmas cartoons with Little Red Riding Hood. 2. Mix in some romance and political satire. 3. Hide bits of familiar holiday carols amidst the dialogue. 4. And finally, toss in wry comments from a snowman named Frosti (with an i). Fortunately Peter Fenton's creative mind was up to the task and the result is a delicious Christmas confection worthy of annual rebroadcast on your favorite network.

    It required a weirdly creative mind to come up with the recipe for this holiday treat. 1. Mash up a story right out of the Christmas cartoons with Little Red Riding Hood. 2. Mix in some romance and political satire. 3. Hide bits of familiar holiday carols amidst the dialogue. 4. And finally, toss in wry comments from a snowman named Frosti (with an i). Fortunately Peter Fenton's creative mind was up to the task and the result is a delicious Christmas confection worthy of annual rebroadcast on your favorite network.

    ”
  • Aly Kantor: Yuletide Shakedown (2019 Version) by Peter Fenton
    “

    This irreverent holiday play has all the nostalgia of your favorite stop-motion Christmas special, the rom-com, small-town splendor of a Lifetime Christmas Movie, plus a little bit of fairytale flair for seasoning... but just when you think you know what to expect, the plot turns political, with real-world issues coming to the forefront in inventive and hilarious ways! Mitchell and Daisy are gorgeous foils for the hardworking Santa and the savvy Mayor Claus. The various and sundry festive references come fast and furious, and those paying close attention will be rewarded! This is a fun...

    This irreverent holiday play has all the nostalgia of your favorite stop-motion Christmas special, the rom-com, small-town splendor of a Lifetime Christmas Movie, plus a little bit of fairytale flair for seasoning... but just when you think you know what to expect, the plot turns political, with real-world issues coming to the forefront in inventive and hilarious ways! Mitchell and Daisy are gorgeous foils for the hardworking Santa and the savvy Mayor Claus. The various and sundry festive references come fast and furious, and those paying close attention will be rewarded! This is a fun offering for the holiday season!

    read more
    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

This play can be performed by a cast of 8 if SANTA doubles as EBENEZER, MAUREEN doubles as GRANNY, and the townspeople lines are generally divided between the actors for IDALYNN and SCHYLER, with some given to SANTA/EBENEZER and MAUREEN/GRANNY. All roles are open to any ethnicity.
  • Mitchell Claus
    The young urban professional son of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who works as their publicist. He's straightlaced and organized, sometimes missing the forest for the trees.
    26-30
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • The Snowman
    This role is to be played as a puppet. No need to hide the puppeteer. The Snowman is a spunky, interactive narrator telling the story at the North Pole as a send-up of the narrator in Rudolph.
    Any
    Any
    Any
  • Daisy Scarlett
    The warm, ambitious village schoolteacher at the North Pole who dreams of someday opening her own school. She has trouble being an inconvenience and wants to be supportive of Mitchell's problems in life while navigating her own difficulties.
    26-30
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • IdaLynn Marble
    Santa Claus' executive assistant who is fiercely loyal and crafty. IdaLynn is fixing up a new house for her and her fiancé as they plan the wedding. This role is written female, but could easily be played as non-binary or genderfluid.
    26-30
    Any
    Female,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Santa Claus/Ebenezer Whitfield
    Santa Claus is a benevolent philanthropist who has had to make some tough decisions behind closed doors to keep up with a growing global population. Ultimately, he means well and wants to keep up the illusion of being magic to everyone in the world—including his own family. Santa Claus doubles as Ebenezer Whitfield, the hokey rancher challenging Maureen Gaines Claus for her seat as Mayor of the North Pole.
    60s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Maureen Gaines Claus/Granny Scarlett
    The pantsuit politician and long-serving Mayor of the North Pole seeking re-election. While the rest of the world only knows about Santa Claus, Maureen and Santa are the power couple of the North Pole, ruling over both the public and private sectors with a benevolent eye. Maureen doubles as Granny Scarlett, the neurotic grandmother of Daisy and IdaLynn who is paranoid about her home being broken into after hearing recent news reports.
    60s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Romulus Wolf
    The cold, calculating political strategist for Ebenezer Whitfield's campaign. A charming slimeball. In many ways, Wolf is a mirror to Mitchell Claus in both personality and role in the story with a sleeker presentation.
    40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Schyler Hines
    The hot newscaster for the local channel at the North Pole. He's not particularly bright or a good journalist, but he certainly is nice to look at.
    26-30
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Production History

  • Fringe, Philly Fringe Festival, 2019