Broken Christmas

Posted by admin on Nov 21, 2006 in Arts & Culture | 0 comments

What images come to mind when you hear the word Christmas? Presents? Family feuds? Santa? Or Jesus? “Christmas is a season of contradictions,” said Aaron Caleb, director of Fixing Christmas. “That’s what makes it so complicated.”

It was with these contradictions and confusions in mind that the Trinity Western University Theatre Ensemble class created Fixing Christmas. Billed as “a romp through the paradoxes of a most sacred season,” the play challenges preconceived ideas of what Christmas is.

Caleb and the 10 students in the Ensemble started with a list of things that they connected with Christmas, and then began writing scenes to address those ideas and issues. The goal was to try to look at all of these typical holiday themes in a unique and original way.

During the creative process over 100 different scenes were written, but the finished product was pared down to 35, with everything from Broadway-style singing and dancing, to commercials you’d never see on TV, as well as dramatic moments.
Together the scenes attempt to examine what is broken in this holiday and how it can be repaired.

“We aren’t trying to give answers,” said Caleb, “but we want everyone to be asking the important questions about this most sacred season.”

Fixing Christmas questions different facets of Christmas. The show tackles numerous topics, such as dealing with rude customers, finding the perfect gift, surviving family gatherings, and figuring out exactly what the relationship is between God and Christmas.

When asked by members of the Ensemble what he imagined that God thinks of Christmas, Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender said, “As long as our perspective about Christmas is about Christ, then I think God’s very pleased. But if it’s all about commercialism, I’m not sure [Christmas] is high on His priority list.”

The Ensemble is responsible for creating Fixing Christmas in every way. They not only wrote the script and act in the show, but they were also responsible for the costumes, props and various music choices. This production relies on the talents of the students involved, and what they have to say about Christmas.

Fixing Christmas runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, and is a part of The Spirit of Christmas. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults, and are available at www.twu.ca/theatre or through the theatre box office (ext. 3872).