Alcoholidays: When forced into a corner there is only one thing to do

OKC Theatre Company brings the comedy Alcoholidays to Civic Center Music Hall’s CitySpace just in time for Christmas. This comedy follows Meg and Jacob as they make their way through the usual list of obligatory holiday parties. From co-workers, to families, to old friends, their only goal is to make the most of every difficult situation. But when forced into corners to discuss physical ailments and hilarious family drama, there’s only one thing to do: drink.  

With Christmas sweaters and holiday spirits, these parties go from unbearable to unforgettable in one guzzle. "If you've ever left a family holiday gathering, and then gone home and said ‘My family should be on a reality show,’ then Alcoholidays is for you," said Rodney Brazil, who directs the show. 

This sidesplitting comedy was written by married couple, writing team, and native Oklahomans Ted Satterfield and Melanie Wilderman. Melanie is currently an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oklahoma and won the 2013 best short screenplay award at the deadCENTER Film Festival. Ted won that exact screenwriting award at deadCENTER in 2012, as well as two screenwriting awards at the Bare Bones Film Festival.  

Alcoholidays had its world premiere in 2013, produced and developed by Next Stage, a local theatre group dedicated to fostering new works from local writers.  

Alcoholidays stars Holly McNatt and Keith Ferguson as Meg and Jacob, a young couple who has over-committed themselves to too many holiday parties. The rest of this 10-member ensemble cast, featuring Rebecca McCauley, Jessica Carabajal, Todd Clark, Matt Cross, Erin Heatly, Claire Powers, Scotty Taylor, and Brett Young, play triple and quadruple duty, taking on a variety of roles.  

Familiar characters include drunken co-workers, overbearing mothers, and family members who just can’t seem to stop getting on your nerves. Local actor and playwright Rodney Brazil, who directed the world premiere, returns as director. 

Performances of Alcoholidays will be presented at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N. Walker in downtown Oklahoma City) on Thursdays-Saturdays, starting December 3-19 with a final matinee performance on Sunday, December 20.  

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (405) 297-2264 or online at www.MyTicketOffice.com. A $10 Preview performance will be presented on December 3rd. For more information, go to www.OKCTC.org. 

The Gayly - 11/30/2015 @ 1:53 p.m. CST