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A Christmas Survival Guide

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Comedy  /  3w, 2m

Conceived and written by James Hindman and Ray Roderick

Musical Arrangements by John Glaudini

"Ho Ho Hilarious! The funniest Christmas revue around!" - The New York Press. This intimate revue takes a wry and knowing look at a stressful season. Armed with a copy of A Christmas Survival Guide and an optimistic attitude, the characters charge into an urban holiday landscape searching for the true essence of Christmas. In songs and vignettes, they learn to cope with the season in ways that are both hilarious and heartwarming.

A Christmas Survival Guide

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Christmas/Holiday
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult

Details

Summary
This intimate revue takes a wry and knowing look at a stressful season. Armed with a copy of A Christmas Survival Guide and an optimistic attitude, the characters charge into an urban holiday landscape searching for the true essence of Christmas. In songs and vignettes, they learn to cope with the season in ways that are both hilarious and heartwarming.
History
A Christmas Survival Guide was first produced with a cast of three at Arci's Place in New York City. It was directed by Ray Roderick. The play was subsequently produced with a cast of five at Westchester Broadway Theater. It was directed by Keith Cromwell.
Keywords
Performing Groups
A Christmas Survival Guide requires likable and versatile performers with strong vocal ability and a comedic flair who aren't afraid to have fun on stage! The show also features a 'voice-over' book that can be read by a local celebrity. The script indicates roles for five performers. If desired, the show can be performed with a cast of three (1m/ 2f). Adjusted Script and Musical Numbers for 3 person cast are included with the script.
  • Time Period Present Day
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Fantasy Costumes
  • Additional Features Audience Participation/Interactive, Local Celebrity Cameo
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

"Ho Ho Hilarious! The funniest Christmas revue around!" - The New York Press
"Audiences love it! We sold out." - Westchester Broadway Theatre

“A Christmas Survival Guide is a musical revue designed to lessen the tension in your life, make the holidays a bit more fun and help audience members find a way to laugh at their own seasonal silliness... This is a Christmas treat for everyone in the family." - LeaderOnline, Akron.com

"Brimming with enjoyment!" - The Courier-Journal, Louisville

"A welcome break from your holiday blues " - The City Paper, Gaslight Dinner Theatre

"A heartfelt tribute to the holiday season that also knows when to put tongue firmly in cheek!...Songs, familiar and not so familiar...explore everything from parody ("The Twelve Steps of Christmas') to the traditional ("O Holy Night")....A light and lively way to take your mind off the holiday crush!" - AtEase CN1 Newspapers

"Chock-full of songs, vignettes, advice and enough messages about the 'true meaning of Christmas' to get one through the holidays without therapy sessions." - The Buffalo News

"Sold out for two years! Perfect for corporate and group outings." - Stepping Out Productions

Videos

  • A Christmas Survival Guide youtube thumbnail

    A Christmas Survival Guide

Music

Song Samples

Carol of the Belles
(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With the Bag
Silver Bells
I'd Like to Hitch a Ride with Santa
Christmas Eve
Twelve Steps
Santa Claus is Back
Take a Walk Through Bethlehem
Act 1
Carol of the Bells - All
Everybody’s Waitin’ for the Man with the Bag - All
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - All
All Those Christmas Clichés - Woman 1
Silver Bells - Man 1
This Will Be the Best Christmas Ever - Woman 2 & Man 2
The Christmas Party / I’d Like to Hitch a Ride with Santa Claus - Woman 3
The Happy New Year Blues - All
Reindeer Boogie / Jingle Bells - Piano Player, All
Christmas Eve - Woman 2
Santa Fantasy - Man 2
Silent Night - Instrumental
Surabaya Santa - Woman 3
Santa Claus Is Back in Town - Man 1 & Women

Act 2
The Twelve Steps of Christmas - Woman 2
TV Christmas Medley - Women 1 & 3 & Man 2
(Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Silver and Gold, Frosty the Snowman, Put One Foot In Front Of The Other, Feliz Navidad, The Christmas Song, Hark The Herald Angels Sing)
Little Girl Blue - Woman 3
An Old-Fashioned Sleigh Ride - Man 1 & Women 2 & 3
Sacred Trio - Man 1 & All Women
(Away in a Manger, Some Children See Him, Amazing Grace)
O Holy Night - Man 2, All
The Greatest Gift - All
Everybody’s Waitin’ for the Man with the Bag - All
Piano-Conductor
Reed (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Optional Bass Clarinet, Optional Oboe)
Drums (Drum Set, Finger Cym., Glock., Triangle, Sm. Triangle, Sleigh Bells, Chimes, Sus. Cym., Wood Block (2 pitches tuned to sound like horses hooves), Slapstick, Mark Tree, Tambourine, Timpani, Shaker)
Guitar (Electric, Acoustic, Banjo)
Bass (Acoustic, Electric)
  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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6 Piano-Conductor

1 Reed
1 Drums
1 Guitar
1 Bass
6 Piano-Conductor
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Authors

James Hindman

James Hindman

James Hindman is an award-winning playwright and actor. As a writer, his New York credits include: Popcorn Falls, directed by two-time Tony Award Winner Christian Borle (Top Twenty Theatrical Moments of 2018); Pete ‘n’ Keely (Outer Critics Award nomination, two Drama Desk nom ...

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Author

Ray Roderick

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