Beasley’s Christmas Party

2m, 1f (w/doubling) or 10m, 2f (w/o doubling) Based on a story by Booth Tarkington. A journalist new to a Midwestern state capitol circa 1900 notices there is something funny going on at the charming house next door. Turns out gubernatorial candidate David Beasley lives there with his young ward, an orphan who has a menagerie of imaginary friends. Beasley’s nemesis Simeon Peck plans to ruin Beasley’s chances at the statehouse, but everyone learns something at Beasley’s Christmas Party – including the pretty Miss Applethwaite, who Mr. Beasley spurned years before. Conceived for three actors to play multiple roles (but playable in many configurations), this 75-minute holiday play is a heartwarming fable of imagination and celebration. There’s a goodhearted intelligence [to these characters]…with utter devotion to craftsmanship, they’re distracting us from the play’s age until we, without realizing, have been enchanted by it…Impressive as any number of rabbit-filled top hats…Enchanting. - Variety In the holiday chests of many households, nestled in jumbles of ornaments and lights, there is one special heirloom, to be given pride of place on the Christmas tree: an old painted angel, perhaps, with history in its chipped wooden wings, or a faded star that outshines any flashy electric bulb. Beasley’s Christmas Party is a bit like such small treasures. - Time Out New York