$11.00 – $90.00
Performance Fee $70.00 A Production License Fee Per Performance (mandatory for all performances)
Apply for Performance RightsThe Hartley’s have decided to minimize Christmas this year — too much trouble, and even though they just happen to live in Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania, they have seemingly lost their historical and faith roots. Grandma Goldie, however, is determined to bring them back.
Through the use of a magical old barrel organ this comically dysfunctional family is transported back to Christmas Eve, 1776, where they meet up with General George Washington as he is considering crossing the Delaware.
They ‘catch the spirit’ of Revolutionary times, and when they return to the present they decide to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. Carolers, mummers, dancing and ensemble singing fill out this delightful tribute to the Christmas spirit by Gillette Elvgren.
Script Extract:
Cast: Norman Hartley . . . . . . . . . . The father, late forties
Maureen Hartley. . . . .. . . . . . . . . The mother, late forties.
Tina Hartley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 year old daughter.
Jerry Hartley.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 year old teen son.
Goldie Hartley . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . Grandmother
Ted Parkinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adult Neighbor
Alice Parkinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adult Neighbor
Turk . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mid twenties,
Tina’s boyfriend. Also plays a mummer.
James Gruber . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . eighteen, Salvation Army worker
George Washington . . . . . . . .. . . . . as stated.
James Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . played by actor playing Salvation
Army worker.
Jeremy Hartley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . drummer boy, fifteen
Ebenezer Mather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . played by actor playing Ted
Four Carolers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . also play Mummers.
The front door opens and the HARTLEY family mobs through the door, loaded with unwrapped presents. MAUREEN first, followed by her two teenage kids, TINA, in spiked hairdo and JERRY, with his jeans almost around his knees. Finally NORM. Bringing up the rear is Grandma GOLDIE, standing in the doorway, the snow still falling on her, watching the scene unfold. It’s Christmas Eve. Lights up. Everyone is talking.
TINA: (On cell phone.) I can’t hear. Would everyone please shut-up.
MAUREEN: I’ll settle for ‘please be quiet’ young lady.
TINA: (On phone.) You’re where. . .?
NORMAN: Who’s she talking to?
JERRY: The Turk. On his hog. Comin’ this-a-way.
MAUREEN: It’s Christmas Eve. Tell him to . . . to. . .
NORMAN: It’s no use.
TINA: He’ll be here in ten minutes.
JERRY: Yeah, I’ll bet he smelled the turkey.
MAUREEN: There is no turkey.
JERRY: And no mince pie, right? Causa we gotta ze pizza pie!
(He starts to open Pizza but MAUREEN takes it away from him.)
TINA: Shhh. He wants to know if we’re going to watch A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
NORMAN: On our T.V.?
TINA: He never misses it. And, he’s got presents for everyone.
MAUREEN: Oh great, what’ll we give him? This year we’re not. . .
JERRY: Give him a can of Pennzoil.
NORMAN: What’s he doing driving a motorcycle in the middle of winter? It’s snowing.
(He kicks the door shut. No one notices GOLDIE standing in the doorway. MAUREEN sticks a pre-fab bow on a shovel handle.)
MAUREEN: Which reminds me. Here, merry Christmas.
NORMAN: For me? (Somewhat sarcastic.) Surprise!
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The voices are narrated by the van driver, but may also be read by other actors.
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During an annual Christmas celebration, Gabriel Conroy must cope with his doddering aunts, discover the true nature of his relationship with his wife. Gretta and confront his own academic pedantry. Somewhat condescending toward the provincialism of his friends, family, and even his own wife, he retires for the night only to discover that she has lived–and lives–a fuller, more vibrant existence than he could have previously imagined.
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