Artist Profile by Kevin Sebastian

Look. A casting notice for a show called "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues"... what? But, hey, it's at the Producer's Club; it might be fun, leaning towards wacky. And I've never actually been part of a distinctly "Christmas show" much less a "twisted Christmas show."

So, I audition. Wayne (the director) calls me. Tells me I'm Comet, if I want it. I say to him "Sure!" and to myself "Ha. I'm playing a reindeer. I wonder if they're going to try to pull off the full body suit thing. God, I hope this isn't a catastrophe."

But the playwright was Jeff Goode. That Jeff Goode. This was the guy who, in college, I contacted directly because I found a scene from his "Portrait of the Virgin Mary Feeding the Dinosaurs" and I yearned to know what it was all about. His comedic timing, even in his writing, was perfect, his flair apparent and his subject matter entertaining to say the least.

I pick up my script a few days after I was cast and headed over to Penn Station to wait for a friend coming to visit; I started to read Comet's monologue. Heads rotate, people begin turning in my direction; I'm literally laughing out loud. My monologue had the direct, unwavering comedy of Paul Rudnick and the harsh, outspoken ferocity of David Mamet all rolled into one terribly appealing package. I was incredibly lucky to have this.

Through the eight monologues, each reindeer gives a deposition of sorts on the current trial: Santa is being accused of a vicious sexual harassment/assault incident by one of his own, Vixen. Most of the reindeers' accounts lean towards a very anti-Santa place, being glad that he was finally caught, that this kind of perversion has been going on long enough, and that he should burn for the atrocities he subject his "employees" to.

But Comet was the only statement that was PRO-Santa.

The cast met once before we went into a rehearsal process of one-on-one director & actor collaboration. So immediately, we were alone to deal with our emotions towards our employer/dictator and to sort out the events leading to this horrific incident. On the other hand, a distinct challenge was the fact that we weren't seeing the other actors' portrayal of their passionately opinionated counterparts.

Comet is, for all intents and purposes, a "reformed" badass. When he wasn't on crack cocaine or being a low-flying drunk around the city, he'd be committing felony after felony just because he wanted to. Not enough love in his childhood? Oh, maybe. But, his fervent passion towards the protection of his would-be savior, Santa, is only matched by his accusatory social remarks towards his fellow reindeer team members. Every time I get to sink my teeth into a "rebel" role, I enjoy every bite; it's not a genre that I'm typically thrown into.

Comet's explosive unwavering faith in St. Nicholas takes him to emotions and dramatics that an actor can only revel in. Practically swimming in playwright Goode's words lets you know that you would never falter; his humor and sheer intensity has you all the way. Though written and structured like a map for the actor (sentences going on to the next line on very specific points, spaces within paragraphs for pauses), I was able to find a way to Comet's fiery humanity and make him deeply real for me. For the most part, my audiences came with me and some were surprised they felt sympathy & kinship with such a harsh, almost soapbox-preaching, and brooding reindeer.

Defending a vilified holiday icon.

Going against the grain of of the rest of the reindeer team.

Having an audience stay with you 'til the end.

What a rush.