Do you have a question about Christmas?
If you’ve ever suffered from the Christmas blues, Sugar Plum Gary is here to tell you you’re not alone. Sugar Plum Gary is our weathered guide into the dark and secret world of Christmas that feel-good Christmas movies and tinsel try to cover up.
Seattle comic Emmett Montgomery transforms into Sugar Plum Gary whenever he pulls on a red onesie complete with little Santa faces on the feet. Sugar Plum Gary is haunted by an encounter he had with Santa Claus as a child at his orphanage in which he was the sole survivor. He has made it his life purpose to spread the word about the truth behind Santa Claus.
Montgomery offers a short background on the evolution of Sugar Plum Gary who has been in the making for five years now. The origin of Gary was Montgomery’s twist on a Mormon Christmas prayer in which he praised the “one in red” who sits on his “icy throne” atop the world. Since then Gary has been everything from a “Christmas Warlock” to a weathered, bearded, footy pajama-wearing man we see now.
Montgomery’s act takes a dark and creative perspective on timeworn holiday traditions. The show consisted of Sugar Plum Gary repeatedly asking the audience “Does anybody…have a question…about…Christmas?” in a husky and breathless voice. His impressive improvised answers to audience questions were a testament to Gary’s strongly developed character. When asked “What are Santa’s favorite cookies?” Gary urged the audience to consider why we leave out human-shaped cookies for Santa to eat. Another audience member inquired about Santa’s favorite reindeer to which Gary responded that he refused to utter the name of the “glowing abomination.”
Sugar Plum Gary makes appearances year round but is especially refreshing during the holiday season in which some of us may feel we need a break from the force fed cheer. Gary allows the audience to drive the show meaning that every performance offers something new to learn about Christmas. Sugar Plum Gary will be visiting 18th and Union Theater from December 22nd to the 24th, offering a refreshing change to your holiday routine.
Sugar Plum Gary, by Emmett Montgomery. 18th and Union Theater. 1406 18th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122. Dec. 22-23 at 7:30 and 9:30 and Dec 24 at 7:30. Tickets: https://18thandunion.org/tickets