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(a cow mooing)

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(soft upbeat music)

(jingle bells)

(soft upbeat music)

(jingle bells)

(bright upbeat music)

- [Interviewer] (Murmurs) everywhere,

and ever since that day,

I've never been able to look at,

other gingerbread house the same.

- Thank you, Ms Howard for that brave for telling me.

Next time on Christmas holiday (murmurs),

we'll be hearing him.

(upbeat music)

(door bang)

(footsteps)

- Oh my God.

- Hey baby.

- There's so much to do.

(giggles)

- Anything I can help with?

Maybe I can go clear up the spare prop area.

- Yes, there's all this stuff from the feminist show.

- Okay.

(doorbell rings)

- That is probably Lloyd, can you let him in,

but don't let him talk to me yet.

- I'll see what I can do.

- Lacey, Lacey, Lacey, hey Lacey, so I, don't hate me,

but I have some changes I'd like to go over with you.

- No.

- But, all right, I'll just go over with the actors then,

right?

- No, no changes.

- But--

- It's the morning of...

I told you.

- But--

- Hey, uh, what can I do with this?

- Put it in the back.

- Argh! I'll have to deflate it.

- No, he almost broke last time, just put him in the back.

- Baby, I don't think there's going to be room.

- Make it fit.

- Alright.

- Okay, but anyway,

during the last course of Merry Christmas,

what does it mean?

I want the angels to drop to an A,

instead of maybe what the--

- Lloyd.

- What?

- I don't care, no!

- But what, what, let me just talk to them--

- No.

and we'll see what they say, right?

- It's the morning now, you're going to confuse them, no.

- But can we just see what happens?

- Damn it! No, no, Nope.

- I'm talking alone.

(upbeat music)

- Hi, my name is Lacey, and I am the manager,

at the little stage theater here in Fort Scott, Kansas.

We are so excited to be running for this state grant.

I mean, out of all the other great arts

organizations here in Kansas, just to be

considered as such an honor.

I mean, my parents ran it for a while after that,

but now here I am, myself and my boyfriend, friend,

boyfriend, we live together, Christmas.

What does it mean is an original piece,

by one of our very own playwrights Lord Schumer.

And we are all very excited, and obvious a little nervous.

- Terrible idea, but I've passed the theater onto,

my daughter and I don't say anything.

Nobody asks for my opinions, so I don't give them.

I can be humble.

- The tour of the little stage.

And this is where the magic is conjured.

- Lacey, my name isn't printed in the program.

(closes the door softly)

- I just stop by, from time to time just to,

make sure that everything is going well.

Just in case I need to take the reins back, momentarily.

(foot steps)

- Look alive Clementine.

- Jingle bells, you're looking swell.

Unlike this backdrop.

Hey Olivia, can I get another pen?

- Six hours 'til show time, people.

Get into costume, I want everyone on stage.

For our first talk through in 15 minutes, okay?

- Andrew couldn't watch Henry tonight,

So he's got to park it in the green room.

- Okay.

- Anyone have eyes on my (beep) (murmurs)

- Hello, hey, look at you.

You look beautiful.

- I look like my mom.

- I know, your mom is beautiful.

Wait--

- Lloyd.

No not like that, not like that, oh God, damn it, bullshit.

- Anyone have eyes on my pillow?

- Where is my beard?

I left it right here next to my Clippers last night.

- Sorry Chloe, I just wanted to be prepared,

in case something happened to you on the way over.

Not that I thought that it would, but--

- This is not all about Eve.

- I got it warm for you.

- Uh, hey, I am Amy, do I talk to...

- [Interviewer] You can talk to me ,yeah.

- Okay.

Hey, hey, I'm Amy, I'm the understudy for everyone.

(laughs)

And as the understudy, I take my job very seriously.

So if anyone is late or is looking a little ill,

I just have to be on my A game all the time.

(laughs)

Um, yeah, I've read the script over and over and over again.

So I know everybody's lines, frontwards and backwards.

You know, some might even they say that,

I know the script better than the actual cast.

(laughs)

- Hey, I'm Keith Solomon, I am Lacey's boyfriend,

and I can't talk too much about the show,

but she wanted me to definitely be sure to say that,

it's going to be really great family entertainment.

Oh, can you keep a secret?

- [Interviewer] Oh, yeah.

Wow.

- Yeah.

- Wow.

- Hey everyone, how's it going?

How we doing, merry merry,

we're here to spread some Christmas cheer, right?

- [Lady] Well.

- Can I get anybody, some coffee, some water,

anything like that?

- [Man] No.

- Okay, okay.

Well, let me know if you have any stage fright,

or anything like that.

I brought some toms toms with me,

kind of subtle that tummy, you know?

- How is everyone doing today?

Merry Christmas, cheer.

- Merry Christmas.

- [Man] Merry Christmas.

- I'm heading to the kitchen, can I grab anyone anything?

- Hot, cocoa, hot cocoa.

- Yeah, can I get like two of those also,

like some super hot cocoa?

- Yeah.

- Cool, thank you.

- Yeah, you welcome.

- Yeah, yeah, appreciate it.

What?

- Stop!

- What?

- I'm Right here.

- I know.

Just, just cause I'm on a diet,

doesn't mean I can't look at the menu, it's all good.

- This is a real diamond,

and it's white gold and it was my Nana's.

She--

- Aaaww!

- They were married in Europe.

(footsteps)

- Hey yo, Lacey, look.

Hey, I'm so excited for the show tomorrow night.

I can't wait to sparkle for you.

I'm not going to let you down.

- What do you mean?

If it's tonight, tonight...

- What?

- The show us tonight,

we talked about this at rehearsal every week,

and I sent you a hundred emails.

Do you not read the emails I send you?

- You mean like, like Gmail?

Like one that parents use ?

- Jo Jay is Sage's boyfriend, and Sage is our leading lady,

who brings in half of our audience.

So when she brought him into the audition,

we thought, what could go wrong?

- Those curl legs split like banana peel,

looking like a Sunday.

Thank God that ass is real.

I make noise, Got the toys, like a happy meal.

I beat the (beep) like I'm sponsored by badges seal.

I don't rap.

I just vocally (beep) lip smack get back,

when I opened these up.

In fact chipmunk,

let you chop this (beep),

Quick (beep) that's what getting close to me does.

Yeah, am make your girl(beep) twice,

like Christ got the chocolate.

I can stop vanilla ice, ice, ice.

Cause then I'm lying on my spine.

About twice my height I could make,

(beep) want it to the right, right, right.

(drops the mic) - Joe.

(clapping)

- Yeah baby that was awesome.

- Thank you baby.

Jo Jay.

- Oh my Gosh.

- Jo Jay out.

- Mmh, that's mine!

- So the bottom line is, Sage said she would leave,

if we didn't cast him.

So here we are, we'll be fine.

- Hey?

- Hello, Most beautiful woman in the entire world?

- How long until that's done ?

And have you seen Alexander or James cause,

I need them in costume for rehearsal now.

- Yes.

- Where are they?

- James said something about, documenting vocal warmups.

- No, no, no, no, no, no.

- Yep.

- No.

- It starts in the back of the throat,

and then I move it towards the front,

near the tip of my tongue.

Then I'm going to swirl around in my mouth,

like a bird, and then I let it take flight.

(humming)

Yes, just like that.

Now this next warm up, it's very technical.

Okay, don't try it at home without guidance.

It's been perfected over the course of 30 years by monks,

and I have been able to do it fast in six months.

Goes little something like this.

(humming)

♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, ♪

♪ Born is the king of the... ♪

- When I say, get on stage for rehearsal,

in costume in 15 minutes.

What do you hear?

- Sorry, we'll be right there.

♪ We'll be right there ,we'll be... ♪

- Well get in the costume.

It's healthy to invoke a little fear sometimes,

my mother always says.

(moaning)

(laughs)

- Uh, we were just, we getting into costume,

and learning some lines.

We'll get ready, sorry.

- Angels do not have blue hair.

- It, is a character choice.

- I'm one of those actors,

that just grew up with a natural ability for the stage.

Has it been rough?

Yeah, of course.

The life of a servant is a tortured one.

But I am so lucky to be surrounded by people who support me,

and reminds me when I'm down that my talent,

is a gift to the world, not a burden.

- 10 Years, 10 thankless years.

And I am only angel number one.

(beep)

- Yeah this is a piece of a...

well I've been well been working on,

for about five years now, and I finally said to myself,

I said, Lloyd, it's time to let this baby birth itself.

I got the idea from my two greatest inspirations,

Charles Koski and David Mamet.

It's very progressive and everything.

Something how, a lot of people don't really seem,

to understand around here.

- [Interviewer] This is a musical.

- It is, Yes, oh, you have no idea.

I don't know if I even have an idea anyway,

this has gone through about seven or eight different drafts,

but the original one had more of a realistic sense,

of what it is to be alone in the holidays.

- So, it's,

- Ta-ta-ta - Ta-at-ta right on feet

- Now that's the canter.

- Oh no, that's the canter?

- We're doing the trot now.

- Doing the trot?

- Okay.

- So the trot...

- Do you know the difference between the trot and canter?

- Yes.

- Okay.

cool, then do it.

Here we go, five, six, seven, eight and one, two, three.

Ta-ta-ta

Okay, yeah, that's I mean,

hopefully we don't get like a horse knowledge audience.

- Yes, of course, I think our sense of community,

runs really deep here.

I mean, there is only one thing,

at the end of the day that can really hold together,

such an intense art form for that long and...

- Well, it ain't talent, I'll tell you that much.

(laughs)

- Mom.

- I'm just here to support.

- Can I speak to you, off camera?

This is my day, mine.

You handed me the keys and I thought I changed the locks.

- You really think that that old changing the lock thing,

is going to keep me out?

You need me Lacey, you know you do.

If you don't get this grant,

everything we have ever known about this family,

is gonna be done.

- You just think I don't know that?

You being here is not saving anything.

- Oh tell that to the bills that keep piling up.

I told you not to have the air conditioning running,

all day, every day.

Oh, but the actors, they're getting so warm,

in their costume...

- I know mom.

- And the catering, my God Lacey!

- I know, I know we need the grant.

- And why is Keith here?

- Mom

Haven't you told him...

- Mom it's complicated, Okay?

- Oh, what?

You won't have someone to make you breakfast in the morning?

Oh yes, that's very complicated.

- I'm Catherine Bloom, and I'm with the state of Kansas,

theater arts, music arts and dance arts board,

which is a subcommittee of,

the state of Kansas board of arts education.

And I'm here to, to judge this production.

You know, we have a new grant.

We have a new grant this year, which is so exciting.

And yeah, I'm here to judge this production,

along with several others across the state,

on how well they meet our grant criteria,

which are Kansas inclusion, Christian values,

sorghum production and diversity.

- It would mean the absolute world for our family,

it would literally keep our world together.

The little stage theater faces the threat,

of closing its doors forever.

Well, I just can't imagine seeing it end like that,

with, with the whimper.

♪ Angles sweet have had on high ♪

♪ Sweetly singing on the play ♪

♪ And the mountains in reply ♪

♪ Echoing Joy's tray ♪

Oh it just, echoes off these walls.

That's how you keep the lights on.

- Yeah, I'm in the play.

I'm not the lead or anything, but, I'm in it.

Yes, I am Lloyd's longterm girlfriend.

Relationships are hard, you know?

And it's not always glamorous,

being with someone in the business,

but we make it work, it's special.

- Yeah sometimes, I mean,

it's been on and off, you know like,

and when I say on and off, I mean,

it's probably like three or four times a year,

that we break up so...

- He really has what he calls a vision,

and he likes to do it, and I get to watch.

- Yeah, we get along, for the most part.

- I call him Ggoyd.

- [Interviewer] Okay.

- And he says, "stop it, stop it."

And he likes to growl.

- Everything, she's usually like, how you should probably,

like calm down every once in a while.

And I was like, well, I don't know if I need to.

- "Stop it ,you knock it off."

"You keep calling Ggoyd"

(laughs)

I do it for the growl.

- [Interviewer] Okay, is this your first performance,

with the little stage theater?

- Is that where I am now?

- [Interviewer] Yeah.

- Yeah.

- [Interviewer] Well, okay.

- (Murmurs) Julie in there, honey?

- It was my turn Lloyd.

- Yeah, well we all have our turns in life,

and sometimes it's just not our turn.

- Are you high?

- Well...

(laughs)

- Great guys, for real, show time.

It's getting close, we can all get out here now.

(laughs)

(footsteps)

- Do I have enough glitter on?

I'm Karen Kane, that's my stage name.

Um, and I have been with the little stage theater,

for at least 10 years now, and it has been such a blessing.

I mean, as an actress, it is just a gift,

to have a place like this,

where you could just flex your muscles, you know?

I mean, in small towns, when you get tied,

settled down and have children and your husband can't bear,

the thought of being more than 10 minutes away

from his mother, places like this are, a gift.

- All right guys, lets keep going, oh, come on.

- Yeah, Lacey I have some questions,

about my solo performance.

- What are you talking about?

- From the new opening scene?

- There is no new opening, and what on earth Chloe?

- Wait, Lloyd said that...

- Someone call for me Lloyd.

- Wait, does this mean my new monologue is cut too?

- Olivia, you are an angel.

- So, there's no opening act?

- How Lloyd, wait, where, where is Lloyd?

There are no changes.

The script is what we rehearsed last night,

and the night before, and the night before,

and the night before, someone call me Lloyd.

- I'm on it honey cakes.

(clears throat)

- Chloe go change now.

- Wait can I at least show you, it's amazing.

- Mm, no.

- It's like, ♪hulk, from the future ♪

- No.

- I wanna be a girl.

(laughing)

- Are you okay?

- I'm fine.

(harping)

♪ Oh holy night the stars are brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night of our dear savior's birth ♪

♪ Lonely the world in sin and error pining ♪

♪ Till he appeared and the... ♪

- Why are you looking at me like that?

- What, what?

- It's like we didn't, you're like now retaining,

what we practice.

- Bullshit, I'm just like looking for the cues, you know?

- Yeah, like where are you right now?

Where's your head?

- Do you understood (mumbles)

- Okay.

- Lacey, So I don't have to do it,

with the Christmas tree either.

- No, you were just the factory foreman,

the coachman and the arborist.

Please, please just stick to the script,

we've been rehearsing for weeks.

- Okay, fine I'm not upset that,

I just spent an hour learning an entire song.

I will use it to inform my performance,

of the foreman's frail masculinity.

(footsteps)

- They are really looking at.

- What?

I don't have to conform to specific gender ideas.

- We usually never have enough men,

in the company for all the guy roles that are written.

So I usually get stuck as the backup dude, which is great.

I don't mind.

What's one more for the patriarchy.

- [Interviewer] Hey Sage?

- Oh sorry, yeah sorry, coming on soon.

- So tell us about this play.

- Yeah, the play is going fine.

I'm really enjoying the process, but you know,

make or break my career

One of my goals is to move to one of the coasts,

and launch myself help podcast.

[Interviewer] Oh.

- Yeah, transcendental, meditation, self realization,

and manifestation is so important to me,

and Kansas doesn't have what I need.

Oh my God, can I tell you a Christmas joke?

- [Interviewer] Sure.

- Okay so how do we know for sure,

that Jesus wasn't born in Kansas?

- [Interviewer] How?

- Because they couldn't have found, three wise men,

and a virgin.

(laughs)

Oh, seriously, I hate it here.

- Probably the most challenging part of this,

has been my choreography.

- And a five, six, seven, eight.

(laughs)

- You know it.

- Yes, hello everyone ,thank you.

( audience clapping)

Yes thank you so much.

We are the premier choreographer duo, in this town.

My name is Savannah and this beefcake,

over here is ex military, but active duty in my heart,

my husband Benjamin.

- Now, all do get in the circle, start running.

(clapping)

Run.

(crowd murmurs)

- Run.

- Five, six seven, eight, jump.

- Keep sliding, keep going.

- Can we be cast this?

Big smiles, like you've got Vaseline, in your teeth.

Big smile, alright here we go.

So turn around I'll count two and jumping on.

- You're a genius, You're a god.

Don't let them diminish your light, okay?

- I'm a god, I am god.

- Lighter, lighter, lighter, lighter, lighter.

- I can't, I'm sorry, it's like...

- And today to honor one very special person,

for the most improvement in this session,

I will be doing a ribbon celebration to Angelica.

Please come into the middle for a ribbon celebration.

(crowd clapping)

receiving blessing, receiving blessings.

(crowd clapping)

- I want you to stop.

- Oh, okay, we're done, we're done with that.

Thank you very much.

- Do you know how to dance?

- Uh, yeah.

- Dance.

- Keep your feet on the ground.

- Okay.

- Dance.

There you go, there you go.

- Oh yeah.

- Keep dancing, stand up.

Keep dancing, pick that up, pick that up.

- Like up to here ?

- Higher, do you not know how to dance?

- Can I get you for his place, please?

- Yes.

Great and...

- What's your name? - And your name is?

- Amy, you can call me something else if you want.

- No, Amy really suits you.

- Huh?

- Amy, I was once a loser like you.

I know it's really hard to imagine,

but I had a lot of self confidence issues.

Just like you have and I had a really like scared,

stupid face all the time just like you have.

- Oh, cool.

- But there's so much hope for you.

When I found ribbon dancing, or whenever dancing found me,

I was able to take all the bullying,

and the pain that I experienced in middle school,

and high school and put it into the ribbon.

Just put it into the ribbon.

And when I did that, I won a silver medal,

in the 2016 state championship...

- Wow!

- You can be successful like me, just stop being such a,

fraidy cat little loser girl...

- Okay, I'll try.

(whirly tubing a ribbon)

- Get it baby, get it baby.

(crowd clapping)

(laughs)

- Thank you, thank you.

- We ended up only having, one day of rehearsals.

Turns out that Savannah was only out on bail,

for a couple of days.

Okay, once again, like I said,

there are no deviations from the script we've rehearsed.

So everyone in their places from the top.

Stop, stop, stop Alexander, why you shirtless?

- Oh, this is the scene where I'm shirtless.

- There is no scene where he was shirtless.

- Wait, if he's not wearing a shirt,

can I go topless as well?

- No.

- Actually that's a good idea .

- Guys!

- I mean, have you ever seen a Trinium wearing a shirt,

or a tree wearing a shirt?

That'd be like a human, wearing clothes made out of humans.

- Boom!

- I'm gonna count to three,

- Nooooo.

- One ,two.

(footsteps)

(soft upbeat music)

♪ Yeah born again been given time to grow ♪

♪ I was touched by Lord Christ, and that began to show ♪

♪ Got the true Christmas spirit inside of me ♪

♪ From root to stem and stem to leaf ♪

♪ Today I'm call the small town tree ♪

♪ But I don't belong to them they belong to me ♪

♪ You see, I was here long, long ago ♪

♪ Before settlers trains, farm towns and Brooks ♪

♪So let me take y'all back, to a time before ♪

♪I was visited by angels ♪

♪ From the Lord, don't need no tensile at Christmas gift ♪

♪ When Christ was born, I was part of this shit ♪

(bright upbeat music)

Jo Jay.

- Jo Jay ,hey?

- Yeah?

- Why aren't you in costume?

- What do you mean?

- Costume, where is your costume?

- Like the tree?

No, that was lame.

- I'm sorry.

- It was lame, so I cut it.

- What do you mean, cut it?

- Lloyd said it was fine.

- Lloyd is fired.

And, I need you in a Christmas tree outfit in five minutes.

- Yeah, I don't want to.

Nobody puts Jo Jay in the corner.

- Lac, Lac, we all know Jo Jay is a showstopper,

so I say we just give him this one.

- Uh, no, I need you to be in a Christmas tree outfit,

or this play's going nowhere.

- Yeah, then I guess it ain't happening.

- Excuse me?

- I quit, Jo Jay out.

- Serious, it's not an exit.

- This is going to be good, now watch this.

- [Lady] What if we watch this?

- [Amy] What?

- [Lady] It's not good, what does he want?

- Come on baby.

- Hold on, hold on.

(crowd murmuring)

- Stop doing that, stop doing that.

- Come on baby we got some manifesting to do.

- Okay, peace bitches.

- Are you serious?

You can't leave in that dress, it's part of the show.

- Suck it, it's my now.

- It's little stage property.

- I won't let you down coach.

You'll be happy to know that,

I've been practicing dual roles, just in case.

Born like any other tree, but given time to grow.

Chop, chop, chop, ♪ Merry Christmas, what does it mean?♪

(farting)

- Oh God!

- Sorry, that only happens when I'm nervous.

- [Lady] Aw, uh.

- The best lessons, are the hard ones.

- Lloyd, I have no idea.

What if he is in here?

(sniffing)

- Lloyd, Lloyd, (beep)

(door knock)

Lloyd, hey buddy?

- Who's there?

- It's me Keith, man, everyone's looking for you.

- Lloyd is not home right now ,go away.

- Okay, Amy you can have sage's role as Anastasia

and you got everything okay?

- I'm fine.

- Okay.

Keith. - Baby.

Hey?

- Hey honey, you're gonna be our tree.

- What, why?

- Say to (murmurs)

(laughs)

- Great, this is gonna be great.

I mean, while we're at it,

why don't we just cast Chloe as a female character?

(crowd laughs)

- I can't do this.

- Keith, yes you can.

I heard you in the shower like two days ago,

and you were not terrible.

Wait, besides I need you, I love you, and I believe in you.

Please go put a tree on.

- But, but I've got something really important,

that I wanted to do tonight.

It was so important, I got to do it--

- What?

- Nevermind, I'll put on the costume but,

Lacey you should know that,

Lloyd he won't come out of the--

- Forget Lloyd, I needed you in a Christmas tree, go.

- Okay.

- Okay.

(sniffing nose)

And--

- Uh, guys, we have a problem.

- Yeah, we're working on it.

Thank you for your participation.

- No like a big one, Sage posted about tonight.

- Whoa, she has 21,547 followers, last time I checked.

- We ghosted, so you know the show's roasted.

Come get lit on the South side with us instead.

Ain't no Christmas miracles happening,

at the #little stage theater tonight, peace grinches.

- Yeah ,good so now nobody's coming to the show.

- No, and it's not what that means.

I mean, everyone else invited their 10 friend minimum,

right?

- What if you don't have 10 friends?

- Oh boy!

- The grant doesn't specifically have a criteria,

for audience involvement, but it's not exactly gonna,

look good to the grant if nobody shows up,

and you know, it's not me.

He has a big guns in the office.

They all, you know they see there are dollar signs,

and dollar signs well, that's, that's bottom since seats,

so...

- This won't be a problem.

I won't let this be a problem.

We've worked too hard for this.

We deserve it.

- You deserve this.

You deserve this.

This is your brain child.

Those are your words, and their mouths, you genius.

I'll go out there, and tell them how the ship will sail.

This is the Titanic, on this maiden voyage.

You are a virgin, on the high seas.

- Lloyd ,hey buddy.

I can't have you go out there right now.

I got to keep you out from, in front of the cameras.

Can you promise me you'll just stay right here?

- I was meant for the stage.

I am a playwright.

- Oh, for sure you are.

Yeah, no, no one doubts that,

but you just can't be one right now, okay.

Just stay right here, be cool.

(both shouting)

(beep)

- Okay, no, I will not be controlled...

- Don't drink that, that's not for you.

- I wasn't going to drink this.

Why would I do that?

- Hey, hon.

- Hey Keith, I don't have time.

Thanks for putting the Christmas tree on.

- Oh yeah, Of course.

I just want to say how proud of you, I really am.

You know?

- Thanks, that's really kind of you.

- And I know you've been working really hard.

I think you're doing a really great job,

and God, you look so beautiful tonight.

- Thanks, you look really tree-ish.

- You mean it?

- Keith, what do you want?

It's not snuggle time.

- No, nothing.

I just wanted to wish you a broken leg.

Break up, break a leg or a branch, break a tree branch.

- Okay.

(typing)

Okay, let's get started with the narration,

while Keith gets used to the rap, angels,

As we'll follow your lead.

And that's when Hunter will, wait, where's Hunter?

Where's Antonio?

- Somebody called?

Hey, looking sharp guys.

It's not about being famous, it's about exploring,

the mysteries of the human soul, you know?

Eating, sex, love, stage, its, it's all the same, you know?

And so just exploring that, is something that,

it gets me up in the morning.

- Andrew doesn't do rehearsals, I mean,

he nails it every time, so we just let him do him.

- I'll start where it begins with a Christmas dream,

like many before, but this one is special.

Unlike anything you've ever heard, or seen.

(humming)

- When you start on that note,

it throws everything off for me.

- I'm on the right note, you're supposed to be harmonizing.

- Not for this song.

You got these confused every time.

- You were a little off.

- I'm sorry, did someone ask for your opinion?

- Stop.

- I didn't

- Stop ,stop ,Olivia.

From the humming please, okay?

- Stop smiling.

(humming)

- Every time, Take five!

- Finally.

Yeah, she was flat.

Okay, my mom was an opera singer,

my dad wrote for the orchestra.

I have perfect pitch.

- Wanna hear my impression of Olivia?

- [Interviewer] Sure.

(clearing throat)

- Listen.

(humming)

- I'm a stupid little bitch.

(humming)

- But actually she has a pretty good range.

We could all hear it, when she's,

running lines with Jesse in the dressing room.

- She concentrates better in the dark, a lot better.

(shushing)

- This is my first like, professional job.

- What's all this hoopla about--

- Angelica shut up.

- Hoopla about Christmas anyway.

- How do I look?

- [Interviewer] I love it.

- Do I look poor?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

- I'm going for poor.

- What are these foolish people, have to celebrate?

- Angelica.

- Why can't they let me rest?

- Good morning, sir, good morning, sir.

I'm glad to see you're awake.

The rest of these folks, are in the soup line for breakfast.

- Soup for breakfast?

♪ Clip, clip, clap, buddy ♪

♪ Clip, clip, clap, buddy♪

- No, no, no, no, no!

Okay, it's,

♪ Clip, clip, clop, buddy ♪

♪ Clip clop buddy ♪

Seven, eight times he's seven.

Alright, let's try it again from the top one, two, three,

four, five ,six--

♪ Clip, clip, clap, buddy ♪

- No, no, too early, this is not my type,

this is your fault (murmurs).

- Lloyd.

- Horse's ass.

- [Man] We are one.

- A word.

- Once sec.

(running)

- [Man] What are you doing back there?

- Okay, one, two, three, four.

♪ Clip, clip, clap, buddy, its Christmas eve ♪

♪ Clip, clap, I got you next to me ♪

- My goal was to find and capture baby Jesus in a bottle.

- You have been chosen among your kin,

a special tree to Mark the world safe from sin.

Now Christ has come, mother Mary's given birth,

select creatures from round the earth--

- You are so good, that's great.

That is great, you are done.

You don't need any more practice, relax.

- I used to do Shakespeare in the park.

This is what I have to show for it.

- The rehearsals are always chaotic,

with all that nervous, excited energy,

I mean, people are just pumped for Showtime.

- It was the best of times, and the worst of times,

then the worst of times, would be the best.

I'll work on it.

- No, no accent.

- I'll be great, I'll be fine.

It's December the 24th and the town is just waking up.

(humming)

- Hey guys, that was really good.

I wanna take you through at least one more time, okay?

So every first positions, good.

This is not happening, everybody, take ten,

take five, just five.

- Okay so it's,

♪ clip, clip, clap buddy ♪

♪ clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip, clip, clap buddy ♪

- I mean, can you send out a truck with a generator,

or something?

Okay, I'll hold.

- Oh, you know what's gonna happen,

if no one turns up tonight, Lacey, it is opening night.

- Or you can kiss that grant goodbye.

What on earth is Nick and marketing doing?

- Mom (murmurs) Nick is working very hard.

- Yes, yes, we're on Facebook and Instagram.

- What do you want me to do?

Go pull all the homeless meth heads off the street.

- I've stooped lower.

- We are (beep) fucked.

- Everyone has been so amazing to work with.

(soft upbeat music)

- Just a tip, the thing about guys--

- Yeah ,I'm not taking advice from a dude,

who lost the encouragement to a girl.

- We were the perfect size for the course.

- Thank you.

(footsteps)

Sometimes just go hit them with your big black (beep)

- Well, I don't like being lied to.

But maybe we should keep looking for work together.

Just, as friends.

- Hunter, that was wonderful,

but maybe don't give it a hundred percent quite yet,

like save some for the performance.

- I wasn't.

- Hunter is a good actor, I won't deny that.

But there's a difference between being a good actor,

being a good person, and his singing is, I'm not jealous.

Hunter is good at what he does,

but I think anyone would be good,

if they were afforded the same time and privilege.

Some of us have to bake our cake,

before we're allowed to eat it.

♪ You get what you deserve ♪

Any notes?

- No, not at all.

- I think if you actually emphasize morning,

and then let your voice break a little bit

in the second verse,

it would add a lot of power to your performance.

- That's a great note, Chloe.

Yeah I'll do that, thanks.

- Why did I say that?

- Guys look, I know it's been a rough start,

but are going to kill this.

It's not even a huge train wreck, and you know what?

You were amazing and you've worked so hard,

and you deserve this.

- What are we getting?

- What?

- You, said you deserve this.

So I thought, I don't know,

I thought we were getting presents or something.

- Hey, cuddle, everyone come in.

- Can I just say a quick word?

Like guys we're about to do something amazing,

and we have rehearsed and prepared and we're ready.

Look, I know some of this might be new for some of you,

and you know, some of you might still be nervous,

but look just know this.

I have never been more proud to work,

and to strive alongside this group of thespians.

We are going to spread that Christmas spirit.

We are going to stir the primordial emotions,

that live in the hearts of every one,

of those audience members.

We are going to create, (murmurs)

(bright upbeat music)

(crowd clapping)

Yes, you got this.

(bright upbeat music)

(clapping)

- I'm truly proud of you guys too.

- Cool.

- All right, wow.

- I'm gonna throw up.

- Am gonna do that, what is it.

- I'm very nervous ,I mean,

was Napoleon nervous about Waterloo?

Was Nixon worried about Watergate?

Of course I'm nervous.

But the bottom line is, I believe in my team.

And no good manager who cares about the craft isn't nervous.

(chartering)

It's because we care, it's because we love,

and that love, is gonna manifest itself,

into the magic of the theater.

- Hey, good luck, take your nails off.

(soft upbeat music)

Hey, good luck.

(soft upbeat music)

You got this.

- Is anyone gonna frigging show up?

- Trust the process Karen, it gonna be fine.

(soft upbeat music)

And that's the power of manifestation.

- No, but seriously where are all these people coming from?

(bus engine rolling)

- Mama has fast hands, this ain't my first rodeo.

- Lacey we've sailed so many seas together,

and I've planted many seeds.

No, if I'm a tree, maybe you could be my stone.

No standing in front of a girl.

Yeah, yeah, that's a good, that's better,

that's better, Lacey you drive me crazy--

- I hate this place.

- I'm so afraid, I'm gonna look like an idiot,

doing something I'm just totally not prepared for.

Argh, Nana's ring!

(piano music)

- What's that?

- Weed mint, you want one?

- Why would I want that?

I am a professional.

I don't need to be high to be talented, Olivia.

- Just thought you might want a little 'calm me' down.

I don't need to calm down Olivia.

- Okay seriously Karen, you need to relax--

- Don't, don't touch me, I am going to be fine.

I am calm.

- Mhmm.

- What, what are you all looking at?

Did you all talk about this?

Is this is this what everyone thinks?

Oh, let's just give Karen a little weed.

Maybe it'll make our lives a little easier.

You think this is hard?

You think I'm hard?

This is child's play, and you amateurs have a lot to learn.

If you think this is a real theater.

If you have only known what I have seen,

in this world and survived as a human, and as a mother.

You'd be crawling at my feet right now.

I know you all think, I am some grachety bitch,

who shouldn't be a mother.

But let me just tell you one thing,

I am a good mother--

- Mama

- Shut up!

- Can I have a mint?

- Yeah.

- I want two.

- Have as many as you want girl.

- I'm taking three.

- You know frustrations is--

- Shut up Hunter.

- We like to call it the pre-show Karen explosion.

(chuckles)

- Okay, everyone, we've made it this far.

Let's just please make it to the show, okay?

Hunter, fix your bender.

Karen, get it together.

Everyone, Let's get mind up.

Amy, stop farting.

- Okay, We can do this.

- Hey, break a branch, okay?

(soft upbeat music)

(audience clapping and cheering)

- Welcome everyone, thank you so much for coming out,

to our show tonight.

We hope you enjoy the very hard work,

our young thespians have put into this play,

and without further ado,

the little stage theater proudly presents, Christmas,

what does it mean?

(audience clapping)

(Christmas music)

- To an outsider, mall town Kansas might not seem to like,

the place to find the true Christmas spirit.

You'd be more likely fun an abundant of sorghum crop,

or a batch of Bessie's famous pepper nut cookies.

(audience laughs)

But the truth is, Christmas is alive and well here.

And it is in abundance.

This is the story, about a town square Christmas tree.

A story about good regular Christian folk.

A story about a small town.

(soft upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

♪ Born like any other tree, but given time to go ♪

♪ I was touched by Jesus Christ, and that began to show ♪

♪ I got the Christmas spirit inside of me ♪

♪ From root to stem and stem to leaf ♪

♪ Today I'm called the small town Christmas tree ♪

♪ But I don't belong to them and they don't belong to me ♪

♪ You see, I was here long long ago ♪

♪ Before settlers changed from towns and roads ♪

♪ Let me kick y'all back to a time before ♪

♪ when I was greeted by angels from the Lord ♪

♪ Don't mean no tents or lie to you ♪

♪ When Christ was born, I was part of that shit ♪

That was right.

(upbeat music)

♪ You've been chosen among your kid ♪

♪ Especially for you to mark a world saved from sin ♪

♪ Now Christ is gone, mother Mary's given birth ♪

(mumbles)

♪ From around the earth ♪

(mumbles)

♪ Christmas tree ♪

- Wow, a Christmas tree.

♪ I can promise you too ♪

♪ Here and now ill share God's love whenever I'm firm ♪

♪ A town will be build around the root ♪

♪ I'll be here always showing the prove ♪

♪ The people will come settlers arrived ♪

♪ Oh God's love giving up his only son ♪

(upbeat music)

♪ Celebrate, it's Christmas, Christmas ♪

♪ I'm a Christmas tree ♪

♪ I'm here for Kansas ♪

(audience clapping)

- And thus the young sapling,

was made into this small town Christmas tree.

Now this town, it went through its own trials,

and tribulations, its own histories.

Fields were sown, town square was built, houses resurrected,

silos and barns popped up like Kansas milkweed,

but that's a story for another time.

(coughs)

Right now, we're gonna move forward to,

a darker time in its history.

We're going to move forward to the dust bowl years.

It's the height of the great depression.

And even then, somehow spirits are still high.

It's the 24th of December, the town is just waking up.

(loud thud)

(beep)

(laughs)

- Not gonna lie, it lifted my spirits event.

It's good to know karma still works.

(laughs)

- Bless his heart that had to have hurt, really.

Is he alright?

(bright upbeat music)

♪ The sun is slowly rising ♪

♪ And all the fields are green ♪

(mumbles)

♪ Cover each and every plain ♪

♪ The general store is open with (mumbles) see ♪

♪ The chefs are cooking(murmurs) ♪

♪ And the keepers keeping bees ♪

♪ Buzz buzz ♪

(instrumentals)

♪ The ranch hand scrums, the cattle loud ♪

♪To lots of feed ♪

♪ The teachers and her students ♪

♪ got a lot to write and read ♪

♪ The preacher write his sermons get ready for his church ♪

♪ The dairies melanoma mongers ♪

♪ she's mama bird is on patch ♪

♪ Chip chip ♪

(upbeat music)

♪ And we both regret his rising and every of his fan ♪

♪ Father wakes for morning prayers ♪

♪ We've fought for every man ♪

♪ The times are tough on his resource ♪

♪ We're counting every dime ♪

♪ It be a normal Kansas morning ♪

♪ but now its Christmas time ♪

(upbeat music)

♪ It'd be a normal Kansas but now it's Christmas time ♪

(audience clapping)

- What?

- Should have heard it, in here.

It was a lot louder.

- I was really nervous about that big opening dance number,

my whole four seconds of it.

- Please, alms please, alms for the poor,

or ma'am don't you have any coins, for a poor old woman?

- Ma'am we don't have any money,

Ma'am we don't have any money,

Ma'am we don't have any money.

- (murmurs) say.

- I can't offer you any money ma'am,

but we can offer you some breakfast.

- I would love that, to warm my poor old, cold old bones.

- I like to prepare by really centering myself,

in the character 'cause everybody has something in them,

that we can relate to, you know?

So like my character is poor.

- What's all this hoopla about Christmas?

I mean What are these foolish people,

have to celebrate anyway?

Why I can't they let me rest?

- Turmeric, egg whites, lemon, apple cider vinegar,

and a little dash of honey.

Not a lot, start my day with that.

And then I just let greatness ensue.

- [Interviewer] Whoa, wow, Okay, but as an actor?

- I learned it from my dad.

- [Interviewer] Okay.

- My dad died in a fire.

- Good morning, sir.

I'm glad to see you're awake.

The rest of your kin are in the soup line for breakfast.

- Soup, for breakfast?

- It's all we've got.

- Soup for breakfast, nothing for lunch, soup for dinner.

(audience laughing)

- Please try to make the best of it, sir.

Where's your Christmas spirit?

(chuckles)

- Christmas spirit?

What a lack.

If Jesus wants to save me, he can start by finding me a job.

- Jesus does want to save you.

- Yeah, Yeah, I heard all about that,

every day as a youngling,

and I'd never shantytown from here to Hooverville,

and Georgia, it's a bunch of a lucky.

- It is not, but I'm sure you'll find that out in time.

If it's a job you want, I may be able to help you today.

- How's that?

- Well, fact is there's talk in town,

that the tractor factory,

is opening back up over in factory town.

- Is that right?

- That's a fact.

And I know where it is.

- Why are you so we get to help me?

Why do you want to get out of here so bad?

- As a volunteer, and a good Christian woman,

it's my job to help the less fortunate.

So let's get some soup in your belly, and get on the road.

- It picks up in the second half.

- Boy it sure is a brisk winter's day.

It's a good thing there isn't too much snow,

it's gonna make traveling easier.

- Traveling's never easy, train, horse, a foot,

it ain't never easy.

- Why can't you ever see the bright side of things?

Were you a drinker?

- Yes, and I drank, but I never got ill tempered.

- Did you gamble?

- Yep I did my share of gambling,

but I never cheated no one.

- Oh the Lord doesn't wanna hear your excuses.

And it sounds like your sister in law, didn't either.

- Anyway, I can't afford to drink or gamble now,

Only thing I've got from those days,

is my brother's Bowie knife.

Yep, argh ,argh .

- Oh, it's a lovely blade.

- We almost had a props crisis,

but fortunately Angelica pulled through,

and had a switch blade on her,

I mean, what are the odds?

- I like to be prepared.

- Yup, it's good for skinning a buck,

shaving, fishing, or just regular plain eating.

At least it was, back when I had some meat at supper time.

Ain't much use on soup.

- It reminds me of my father's knife.

- Oh, my God.

(crowds murmurs)

- Did you (murmurs).

- Yes, I called the power company twice, I (murmurs).

- So, how did you find yourself at the church?

- Keith.

Why aren't you married off?

- Oh,

- Give me the snow.

- Okay.

- I had a man once.

(loud thud)

- So what happened?

- Just throw it, come on.

- Are you sure--

- That's a story for another day.

- Oh.

- That's fine, I didn't mean to cry.

- Oh boy, it's really starting to come down.

- Ain't nothing for it, just kind of keep walking.

- Oh, Antonio we're not, we're not dressed for a blizzard.

We can't keep going on like this.

- We can't go back, it's too far.

Maybe there's a farm, if we just keep moving forward.

- Woo, oh my feet hurt, it's so cold.

(air whooping)

- I may have something for them.

Will not much, but maybe this'll help.

I mean, I'm sorry I'm not prepared it's just,

(air whooping)

we don't have leather like this down in Georgia.

- It's so cold.

- But what can we do but keep walking?

- We can pray.

- Well, as long as you can pray, and keep moving,

I'm all for it.

- Dear Lord, We are two humble travelers,

making our way to a better life,

and to continue spreading your word,

please on this Holy Yule tide send us help,

so that we may spread Christ's love.

If we are to die today,

we understand that it is in your will.

If it is not, please send us a sign, or a savior.

- Well, that is a beautiful moment, I will never see again.

- Well, that didn't work.

- (gasps) Hark, do you hear that?

- I can't hear nothing over this confounded,

wind and the sound of chattering teeth.

- No, hold on stop walking.

- No, we can't stop walking.

We just gotta keep moving.

- Oh gosh, backstage is such a rush, you know?

10 seconds right before you go onstage it's like,

it's like that super bowl moment, you know?

(laughs)

Oh my goodness, It's like, you know?

I'm addicted, okay, I need it.

Yeah, you know honestly I want.

(sniffing)

So I want to know some more thespian life.

(laughs)

What's going on here with this?

- Wait, are we doing the canter or the Gallop?

- We're going full canter baby.

- Oh, yes.

- Oh, I think out hear it too, where's it coming from?

- Oh its coming from the yonder.

(horse neighs)

- Oh, well, hello there.

What are you two doing out in this weather?

- We are f-f-freezing.

- Well, I can see that.

I got just the thing for it.

- What is a slave doing out here?

- Well it's a tradition, I was hired by old,

Mr. Weatherstone down in st. Louis,

as part of a Christmas celebration,

for him and all the rich folks down there.

Well, let me take me old girl out in the snow.

But like I said, I'm heading to st. Louis,

lucky for you I just so happen to have some warm, fuzzy,

hot chocolate in the back.

Where are you all going up?

- F-f-f-f-actory town, but we can't afford to be picky.

- Well, factory town Is just down the road.

It's on my way, why don't you hop on in?

- We can't say no that.

- Its a Christmas miracle.

- No, not yet.

- It's a Christmas miracle!

(horse neighing)

What do you think about the power of prayer now?

- I have to admit, this is a nice surprise.

- (murmur) do you mind if I sat next to you,

under one of those blankets?

- Oh no, not at all.

Now this is a Christmas miracle.

(audience laughing)

- It wasn't really hot cocoa

(upbeat music)

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Darling can't you feel the winter breeze ♪

♪ Honey honey you'll stay one next to me ♪

♪ Darling darling can't you see ♪

♪ this snow is a splendor ♪

♪ Baby baby it's not as beautiful as you ♪

♪ Darling darling can't you hear the hooves are beating ♪

♪ Sweetie sweetie they'll find us our way home ♪

(upbeat music)

♪ They go ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Its Christmas eve ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap I've got you next to me ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ It's Christmas eve ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap I have got you next to me ♪

♪ Darling, darling can't you see ♪

♪ this new adventure ♪

♪ Honey honey our life could be so bright ♪

♪ Darling darling the scenery is so beautiful ♪

♪ Baby it's sweet but sure its sweet as sugar ♪

♪ Darling darling can't you hear the hooves are beating ♪

♪ Sweetie sweetie they'll tell us where to go ♪

(upbeat music)

♪ They go ♪

clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Its Christmas eve ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap I've got you next to me ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ It's Christmas eve ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap I've got you next to me ♪

(audience clapping)

- Oh, there is your destination in the distance,

finish your Coco, and I'll drop you off there.

(audience clapping)

- I didn't choose the backside of the horse myself.

Not to be the butt of the joke, or anything,

(laughs)

or to make an ass of myself, but the back door--

- [Interviewer] All right, I think we have enough.

- Oh wait, hold on, stop do it now.

♪ clipity clap buddy ♪

♪ Clipity clap buddy ♪

♪ Clipity clap buddy ♪

♪ Clipity clap buddy ♪

♪ Clipity clap buddy clapidy ♪

(humming)

We're working on it.

- Oh, looks like this is it.

- What?

- It's locked.

- Is there a bell?

- We got some, here it is.

- Well.

- Well, what?

- Well, ring it.

- I don't know if there--

(rings bell)

- Hello, hello we're looking for work.

I need a job, and I'm very experienced.

( ringing bell)

- Do you really think that's going to work?

- Yes, I think so.

Now quick, get out your resume

- My what?

- Your resume, get it out.

- I don't have one.

- Oh dear.

- Who is there?

- It is us , Anastasia and Antonio from small town.

We've trudged through the snow to find work.

- We don't have any work for you, move along.

Wait, let me see your resume.

Oh, that is good.

As I said, we don't have any vacancies,

but if you can scrubs the floors,

we can give you three meals, and a cot to sleep on.

Now, do you have any references?

- You can write my aunt and Cedar Rapids.

- Do you have any male references?

- Well, my father has passed.

- Mm.

- Wait, you can write my husband into mine.

- Your husband ?

- That is fine.

What about you?

Your resume?

- You're married?

- You can scrub the toilets.

- How could you?

- Nevermind, we'll take the girl.

You can scrub the floors, and the toilets.

- No let me in, please.

- Antonio I'm so sorry I lied to you, I love you.

- Hey let me in, please, what about me?

What about me?

- Sir there is a church in factory town,

I believe they have a shelter.

(Antonio crying)

- No, no, Anastasia.

Oh, no (murmurs)

Am, a, don't make me cry.

- Yeah, it's all symbolic, you know?

I mean, if you even know what that word means,

I understand if you don't, but yeah,

this is looking at you baby boomers.

- We read the piece of trash that he writes for us.

And then we try to find ways,

to actually make it function in the 21st century,

with dynamic female characters and then Lloyd (beep) on it.

- Let her out of there.

- I'm not keeping her from leaving,

do you want to leave?

- No.

- She doesn't want to leave.

- Let me talk to him.

- Fine, but just very quickly.

- You're married?

- Yes, it's a long story--

- I don't have time for long story.

Do you want to sweep the floors?

The floors are very dirty.

- Can he come with me?

- No, I don't trust his face.

You look confused, should I inform your husband?

- If I come with you, will you let me explain myself?

- Oh, of course, of course. I'm sorry, I was just surprised.

- So you are not staying to scrubs the floors?

Well, thank you.

This was very productive, good luck in the snow.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Well, I guess we should find that church South now.

- Women also ran factories in the thirties,

just (Murmurs) but it's fine.

(church bells ringing)

- So, you're not a church volunteer after all?

- No, I just had to get out of there.

My husband was so beastly to me.

And when he was gentle, he was rather dull.

- Well, did you try to get a divorce?

- Well, our town's pastor was his drinking,

and gambling buddy.

Once he turned to drink, he used most of our savings for it.

I had to savage what little I could.

- Oh, you stole that?

- Well, I suppose I stole half of it.

The other half was already mine.

- I doubt he sees it that way.

- Well, it doesn't matter.

It's only about $200 now anyway.

- Well, I don't like being lied to,

but perhaps we should keep looking together,

for work, just as friends.

- I suppose that's agreeable.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight, merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

(instrumentals)

♪ Merry Christmas what does it mean ♪

♪ When no one's happy ♪

♪ and there's nothing to celebrate ♪

♪ Something you say to strangers on the street ♪

♪ Flat boards a dinner with much on your plate ♪

♪ The fire's burning low ♪

♪ Much slower than before ♪

♪ Most of my hope escapes a raging fire ♪

♪ Now only a soft glow ♪

♪ Merry Christmas what does it mean ♪

♪ when no one's happy when no one gathers near ♪

♪ Merry Christmas just memories ♪

♪ I used to believe that there was nothing to fear ♪

♪ The fire's burning low much slower than before ♪

♪ Most of my hope escapes a raging fire ♪

♪ Now only a soft glow ♪

♪ Merry Christmas what does it mean ♪

♪ It's not so simple to love your fellow man ♪

♪ Merry Christmas worth trying for ♪

♪ It's not so easy easy to say amen ♪

♪ Is it really worth trying for ♪

♪ It's not so simple to know that you can ♪

♪ Merry Christmas what does it mean ♪

♪ It must mean something when people still have love ♪

(crowd laughs softly)

- Henry, what are you doing?

Get off the stage.

- Not scripted.

- [Interviewer] Oh, we like that (murmurs)

- I'm so happy that you found him adorable.

He's a cutie pie, isn't he?

Yeah, yeah I gotta you know?

Teach him not to step in my line all the time,

but you know, theater is an organic process.

♪ Merry Christmas what does it mean ♪

♪ When I haven't had a square (murmurs) wigs, ♪

♪ A chance to help her begin again ♪

♪ A sense of something that I can't seem to speak ♪

♪ But again I can't go to Georgia ♪

♪ And I still need to eat ♪

(audience clapping)

- Theater is in my blood.

- Did he really just do that?

- I think so.

- This is not good.

- I know, I'll go after him.

If he'll listen to me and you stay with her.

- Okay.

- This is going to take some time.

Try to get her to forgive him if you can.

- I will do my very best.

Desperation comes in many smells,

but hers is the loudest.

(yawning)

- Antonio?

- I'm afraid he's gone.

- Oh my God!

Are you an angel?

- Yes, I have been sent--

- Am I dead?

- No.

- Oh my God.

I didn't even get to--

- No you're not--

- Oh I knew I shouldn't have drank that Hot cocoa--

- Shut up, you're not dead.

I'm sorry to tell you, bUt Antonio snuck out.

- What, Why?

But I really liked him.

Why.

I know, I'm going to follow after him.

I'm going to fight for those I love.

- He also took your money.

- That's not important to me.

- Aren't you upset with him?

He stole from you, on Christmas.

- He also stole my heart.

(audience clapping)

- We like to let her actors make choices.

- Rediscovering your spirituality.

That's what the holidays are truly all about.

Unfortunately for the small town, Christmas tree,

his spirits were as high spirits.

(coughing)

- She's a book on this for the poor

- What, (murmurs) Angelica.

(coughing)

- Alms for the poor.

- Oh, what is she doing?

- Alms for the poor.

Oops.

- I repeat, it's a code purple.

- I need money to help my sickness.

Help me doctor wait.

- Unprofessional, try pulling that (beep) on Broadway.

(soft piano music)

♪ The sun will shine again today ♪

♪ It's Christmas morn but I can't say ♪

♪ That I can feel the joy today ♪

♪ And guilty thoughts seem far away ♪

♪ I've got my reasons doing ♪

♪ For doing what I've done ♪

♪ I could have had so much more ♪

♪ But sometimes you get what you deserve ♪

(audience clapping and cheering)

- At a certain point the shows integrity is ruined.

Once Triniums are wearing shirts, and then it's like,

I don't know, it's not even believable anymore.

- And here I thought the holidays,

were supposed to be a happy time.

Unfortunately, all this negativity isn't helping,

the small town Christmas tree.

- I would like to sing a song.

I'm a Christmas tree and I'm here to--

(coughing)

- Save your strength.

Now women can also be doctors, but who am I to say?

He's losing his festival ornamentation all over the place.

Don't you die on me.

- Oh, wait 50cc of Christmas spirits, start.

- [Man] Oh no, we ran out of Christmas spirit.

- We can't be, we can't be all out of Christmas spirits.

No, I need you, don't you die on me.

I can't be the doctor who killed Christmas.

- It's okay, don't blame yourself.

(coughing and shortness of breath)

- I need you to sing a Christmas Carol.

- Sorry I can't, I'm too tired.

- Oh no, he's throwing up blood, that's not good.

- Yeah, of course it's not good.

When is throwing up blood ever good?

That's hack writing.

Don't tell the audience how to feel,

feel for yourself and the audience will follow.

- No.

(crying)

- No it does not taste good,

and now I have a rash on my neck.

- Well, here we are, you and me both buddy.

I don't reckon that'll make up,

for a lifetime of bad deeds, huh?

- This town has seen better yule tides before.

Where is the Christmas spirit?

- Feels like the whole world is falling apart.

- Stop, I can save this tree.

- Sorry-- - Maybe.

- Well sorry Ma'am we're just following orders.

- So am I?

- Whoa, whoa who are you?

Where did you come from?

Are you, are you a--

- I'm an angel and I'm looking after you,

but wait, first I have to save Christmas, move it.

I can still feel your spirit come back to us.

You are not condemned, and neither are you.

It's not too late.

- But I've done so much, I've hurt so many people.

- It's not too late,

I can help you, will you let me help you?

- Okay, okay.

- Antonio, Antonio, Antonio, Antonio listen to me,

I forgive you.

- What?

- I don't care.

- But I stole all your money.

- I know, I don't care.

I just want to see where the two of us can go, together.

- What do you mean?

- Well, ever since I met you, I've had this special feeling.

I, I can't explain it,

but when I'm with you, you make me feel like home,

or like Christmas.

- Anastasia, I'm so sorry.

I've just been so hungry for so long,

but I'm not gonna make any more excuses.

I've been awful to you and I'm so sorry.

- I know, I forgive you.

I just wanna see where the two of us can go.

I have a feeling that this is one of many Christmases,

we'll have together.

- Anastasia.

- Yeah?

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas,

(groaning in pain)

- Merry Christmas everyone.

- It's a Christmas miracle.

- It certainly is.

(upbeat Christmas music)

♪ The sunset is close to setting ♪

♪ And all the fields have grain ♪

♪ Sun is coming by cover each and every plane ♪

♪ Every family gathers and love for all to see ♪

♪ Mothers cooking their berries with ♪

♪ Their children running free ♪

♪ The ginger bread is rising ♪

♪ The fire is burning strong ♪

♪ The mother plays piano the her family sings along ♪

♪ The times are tough or merry ♪

♪ Everyone is feeling gay ♪

♪ It be a normal Kansas ♪

♪ Which means today is Christmas day ♪

♪ The ginger bread is rising the tree is up and trimmed ♪

♪ Father cuts the turkey there's enough for all his kids ♪

♪ The times are tough ♪

♪ Or triple every month is feeling fine ♪

♪ It be a normal Kansas even now when it's Christmas time ♪

(instrumental)

♪ It be a normal Kansas even though now is Christmas time ♪

(audience clapping and cheering)

- Well, I could definitely feel the chemistry,

between Antonio and me.

I mean, it just shows that this all really happened,

for a reason, you know?

(laughs)

- Oh my God, alright guys,

let's get ready for those big bows.

But I just, I just gotta say you guys,

you all kicked so much A tonight--

- So much As!

- So much, I'm just so proud of our team--

- So proud.

- You guys, you earned this let's go do it.

- Let's do it.

- Let's do it.

- I love you.

- Love you guys too, alright.

- Though we may be little we are fierce.

There's a little Shakespeare for you.

We are a mighty force, I mean,

we may not be the bravest or the strongest

or even the most talented,

but our little theater had a lot of heart.

Why do I think we deserve this grant?

Because we are the underdogs you root for him at night.

We've got the little thespians who could,

we are the misfits who want a hug.

We are the no names of Kansas, asking for a name.

(audience clapping)

(bright upbeat music)

(audience clapping and cheering)

- It Wasn't perfect, but we did it.

It's done, I've got a pretty good feeling about that grant.

- See what happens?

- Sounds fun.

(audience and cast clapping)

- Thank you everyone, thank you so much.

Alright, tonight I've got something really,

special I want to say--

- Keith, what are you doing?

- It's okay baby, I've got a really big announcement,

I need to make.

As we all know, Lacey has poured a lot of love,

and I think it goes without saying maybe her entire heart,

into both the show and this theater.

And so I just wanted a really big way of expressing how much

I love you and you see God, I'm so nervous.

I'm Lacey's boyfriend.

And tonight, I would love to be so much more baby--

- Oh for God's sake!

- Lacey Francesca, will you please...

(groans)

- Keep (murmurs) we can talk about this later and--

- No, I got this, damn, I just wanted to propose.

- I know it was really something,

but lets get you out of this--

- I didn't know they were dating.

- I love Keith, I do.

- [Interviewer] Are you gonna--

- No further comment.

How could you do this to me?

I mean, we haven't even talked about this.

Like I have the grant people with me.

- I'm sorry, I just thought maybe it would be like,

one of those rom coms you like or something.

- This isn't a rom com, this is theater.

- So is that, is that a no, yes, no?

- I can not talk to you right now.

Please, just go.

- Lacey, I'm just a tree standing in front of a girl--

- Keith, Keith I'm up for a job in Tampa.

- You know I can't go to Tampa, my mom's sick.

- Yeah, I know.

- Yeah but they ticked all the boxes,

even the sorghum production,

which very few others have managed to do.

(soft upbeat music)

- Oh, here she is, the lady of the evening.

Let's give her a round.

(cast clapping)

- Yes, well deserved.

- You guys are amazing, thank you from the bottom of--

- No, no, no no, no we talked about this,

we have to stay down here.

- I got you a drink.

- I can't stay down here.

(soft upbeat music)

- Okay see, this is nice.

Where's your boyfriend?

- Hey, hi Lacey, right?

- Oh, you must be Catherine?

- Guilty, hey, I just want to say beautiful work tonight.

- Really?

- Oh yeah, absolutely, I loved it.

Like I'm not supposed to say anything,

but a little birdie told me that you are looking good kiddo.

- You're kidding.

- Don't miss a word.

- Oh, lips sealed.

- Okay, also I saw what happened,

and I just wanna say hang in there, okay?

And when the Lord closes a door,

you know somewhere he opens a window,

even though you're single,

you still some childbearing years.

- Merry Christmas.

- Thank you, okay take care.

- To another clip clap buddy.

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ It's Christmas eve ♪

♪ Clip clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap buddy ♪

♪ Clip clap I've got you next to me ♪

♪ Eeh ♪

- [Man] Oh, it's beautiful.

- [Man] (mumbles) a time like (mumbles).

- [Man] I've been going...

- Well, it wasn't a no, so, I'd say half a chance.

(bright upbeat music)

Every couple has their ups and downs, you know?

Relationships are hard work, I mean, everyone knows that.

But I got to stay positive through those ups and downs,

knowing Lacey, she's probably out having a good time,

and not even thinking about this at all, or anything else.

She's so strong enough.

She can push all her problems away, and ignore them.

It's really inspiring how she just doesn't face anything.

Like she doesn't have to.

- Really love that, really love that.

- Guys, I need your help.

One more encore for Keith?

- Lets do it.

- Yeah.

- Clip clap always.

- Always.

- Clip clap buddy--

- We want to do it.

- Aren't you coming too, you gonna love it.

- One time we were on a date, and she ordered her wine.

She always gets Chardonnay with her mozzarella sticks,

because she likes to dip her mozzarella sticks in it,

and I know it sounds really gross,

I think that's actually really cute.

♪ Holy night ♪

Do you hear something?

Excuse me for a moment.

♪ (Murmurs) mother and child ♪

- Keith, I'm sorry I let you face plant today,

and didn't help you up.

- It's okay, baby.

I know you were super busy,

and I'm sorry if I was a distraction.

- No, no Keith, I'm sorry I made you feel like,

a distraction.

I'm sorry, I am sorry for everything.

I mean, I put this grant and this play in front of you,

and I never realized that all my hard work is motivated by,

how strong you make me feel.

- Really?

- Really, and the answer's yes.

- No.

- Yeah.

- Get out of town.

- Come with me.

- Shut the front door.

- Only if you're behind it with me.

- I'm going to come to you,

Yah, that's dangerous.

I'll use the front door.

- Dang' it, I love you.

- Come kiss me.

♪ Joy to the world the Lord has come ♪

♪ Lets us sing again ♪

(bright upbeat music)

- It's snowing.

(cast cheering)

Merry Christmas.

(classical merry Christmas song)

♪ Please allow me to introduce myself ♪

♪ My name is Jo Jay Jo Jay ♪

♪ Uh, uh yeah I'm here for Christmas ♪

♪ I'm drunk of Swiss mitt yeah ♪

♪ Somebody better get this ah ♪

♪ What's under the tree for Christmas ♪

♪ It's Jo Jay ♪

- Culture baby, culture.

- What is Christmas Sage?

- Love.

- What is Christmas Sage?

- The tiny baby Jesus Christ.

- (murmurs), I'm the first one.

- [Man] Okay, perfect, lets do it.

- [Lady] Can we just walk or just...

- [Lady] Can you get me (murmurs) of water please.

- [Man] Make an angel.

Yes, I'm sorry, we're here.

Keep going, we didn't say stop.

I can't do it.

The one, the one in the red suit, his little legs--

- He has tiny legs for a human.

- I can't like, and then this is his feet,

they sort of look different.

- Like the body movement is totally angel,

but your eyes are really mean

Can we make it bigger eyes or like nicer eyes?

- So you really want me to like smile,

is what you're asking.

- Maybe close your eyes.

- [Benjamin] Yeah, that's perfect, that looks so good.

That look so good.

- This is it, Savannah thank you.

- Oh, you're so welcome.

- Thank you.

- Your eyes.

- Oh, yeah.

- Thank you.

- They're just very scary.

- Mean, mean eyes, yeah

- What did I do to you?

- No, I know.

(upbeat music)