Held at ComedySportz, the reading will feature Jimmy Smagula ("Parks and Recreation," Billy Elliot) as Douglas Fir, Renee Marino (Jersey Boys, "Jersey Boys"), Jennifer Naimo ("Nip/Tuck," Les Misérables) and stand-up comic Sandra Valls ("Latino 101," "Latin Divas of Comedy"). Todd Nielsen will direct.
The Most Miserable Christmas Tree features a book and lyrics by Tim Sulka and Debra Barsha and music by Barsha.
"As a decorated Christmas tree, Douglas Fir enjoys the adoration that comes with the job – until the 13th Day of Christmas, when he is thrown out and left in a pile of trash!" press notes state. "Determined to become a Christmas tree again, Douglas heads back to 'Miss Balsam’s Finishing School for Christmas Trees' to earn the right to be decorated again. Disaster after disaster plague Douglas in his quest and he only succeeds in becoming more miserable than ever – until an important discovery allows him to understand the real meaning of the holiday season and find his true purpose."
"The musical explores the idea of what happens when someone, in this case, a tree, is discarded and has lost his purpose," Sulka said in a statement. "After discovering what happens to Christmas trees when Christmas is over, Douglas Fir is determined to recapture what he once had. But becoming a Christmas Tree for the second time presents new obstacles and becomes quite a challenge. Through the course of his journey, Douglas discovers that there might be another, greater purpose in store for him."
"The world of Christmas trees seemed an ideal and magical place to explore these themes," Barsha added. "Douglas is just a simple working class tree who wants what every Christmas Tree wants – to be decorated again. Our goal is to bring Douglas Fir and the wonderful world of Christmas trees to life and hopefully create a new Christmas tradition." Deborah Hurwitz (Jersey Boys, Miss Saigon) will serve as musical director.
ComedySportz is located at 733 N. Seward Street in Hollywood, CA. Call (646) 401-1300 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations.
