Reading Railroad Presents “The Plot to Overthrow Christmas” Dec. 8 & 15

Dave Patterson, Meredith Siemsen, Eileen Gosvig, Andrew MacKenzie, Tristan Montgomery, James Prettyman, Patrick Towne, and Gretchen Jentz in The Plot to Overthrow Christmas, presented by Reading Railroad on December 8 and 15. (Not pictured: Alaris Todar and Doug Marshall)

What happens when the netherworld’s most nefarious characters collude to overthrow earth’s most joyful happening? Come find out at Reading Railroad Theater’s family-friendly holiday program on December 8 and 15 in the Morning Star Studio ballroom on the east side of the Fairfield square.

From left: Dave Patterson, Eileen Gosvig, Doug Marshall, Andrew MacKenzie, and Patrick Towne.

Reading Railroad Theater, in conjunction with Morning Star Studio, proudly presents a three-part theatrical holiday program comprised of a theatrical reading of Norman Corwin’s comedic radio-theater play, The Plot to Overthrow Christmas—complete with live foley by John Grunwald (directed by Doug Marshall); a short Baháʼí-inspired children’s theater piece, “The Peace Play” by Jessica Kouaga, featuring youth Bixie and Sloane Brower (Gretchen Jentz, producing); and a sung rendition of the beloved Clement Moore poem, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” followed by an audience-participation sing-along of holiday favorites.

Lucretia Borgia (played by Eileen Gosvig) attempts to sweet-talk Mephisto (Andrew MacKenzie) down in the grot of the flaming coals.

The Plot to Overthrow Christmas radio-theater play features David Patterson as Nero and Douglas Marshall as Santa Claus, plus various nefarious characters played by Andrew MacKenzie, Gretchen Jentz, Meredith Siemsen, Eileen Gosvig, James Prettyman, Alaris Todar, Tristan Montgomery, and Patrick Towne. Angela Rose will join the ensemble in song for “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Complimentary apple cider and Christmas cookies will be provided.

John Grunwald gets ready to make sound-effects magic in his foley booth.

The performances will take place on Sunday afternoons, December 8 and 15, at 2 p.m. at Morning Star Studio, 51-1⁄2 S. Court St. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a suggested minimum of $10 for adults, $7 for children. Tickets can be paid for in advance through Venmo. Cash and Venmo will be also accepted at the door.

Email richard@richardmorell.com for additional information or visit Reading Railroad Theater’s Facebook page.