FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heidi Haas, 413-584-5562, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

 

 

SANTACIDE

 

A Christmas Comedy by Hilary Price and Kelsey Flynn

Directed by Chris Rohmann

 

A Benefit for New Century Theatre

 

A cartoonist and a comedian walk into a bar, and a murder mystery farce comes out.  Santacide, written by Rhymes with Orange cartoonist Hilary Price and comedian Kelsey Flynn, has its world premiere in Northampton December 7th, 8th, and 9th. 

 

When Santa Claus is found murdered at his desk on Christmas Eve, a mother-and-son detective team comes to the North Pole to investigate whodunit. Was it the slightly sauced Mrs. Claus? The addled Head Elf?  The officious Postmaster of North Pole 99075-1346?  Pratfalls, one-liners and general high jinx ensue as secrets are revealed in this fast-paced dark comedy with a light Christmas message.

 

This fully staged production features a cast of well-known actors from the Pioneer Valley, including local celebrity and Santacide co-creator Kelsey Flynn.  Other performers include area favorites Steve Angel, Keith Boynton, Claire Kavanah, Mary Kearney and Linda Putnam.  The play will be staged by local director, theater critic and TV personality Chris Rohmann, with sets and costumes by theater students at Northampton High School.

 

Proceeds from the performances will benefit New Century Theatre, Northampton’s only professional summer theater company, now in its 18th year.

 

Santacide was written collaboratively by Hilary Price, creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip Rhymes with Orange, and Kelsey Flynn, comedian, star of PaintBox Theater for children and a radio personality on WRSI 93.9 The River. 

 

Santacide first caught community attention in July of 2006, when the writers assembled a cast for a sold-out reading at Smith College, inviting the public to listen and give feedback.  That event was made possible by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council.   With comments in hand, the writers spent the next year honing the script for full production.

 

The premiere of Santacide will be at the Northampton High School on Elm Street in Northampton, with performances on Friday December 7th at 8:00 pm, Saturday December 8th at 8:00 and December 9th at 2:00. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students.

 

For more information visit www.santacide.com and for reservations contact Santacide producer Heidi Haas at 413-584-5562 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

 

For more information about New Century Theatre visit www.NewCenturyTheatre.org

 

Interviews with the co-creators, actors, and director can be arranged upon request.

Learn more at http://www.santacide.com