“Is Santa Claus a God”
Every year for the past seven years, self-proclaimed Santanist, comic Emmett Montgomery dons his holiday attire, red flannel feet pajamas, the persona of Sugar Plum Gary and engages in a hilarious conversation with the audience about Christmas.
This year was a little different as there was a cartoon about orphans initially heartbroken by Christmas until an ingenious Santa figure improvises some nifty toys for them and brings them joy. It was an amazingly funny but empathic story and its creator Clinton McClung is talented and creative. The faux Santa in the cartoon does exactly what Sugar Plum Gary does; both create something out of what is available. Gary improvises based on what the audience suggets; he listens to their questions, then spontaneously improvises witty, funny and extremely astute responses.
It is a simple format which leads to incredible banter and running gags. Sugar Plum Gary asks “Does anybody have a question about Christmas?” And off he goes offering up words of wisdom couched in humor while deeply connecting to the audience.
It was a full house on opening night, so I recommend getting tickets for this one hour show asap. 18th and Union, with its full lobby and bar is a very welcoming place, the patrons tend to be very friendly. Alexandra’s café two doors down on the same block has pizza night and an art exhibit Thus and Fri nights before the show.
Sugar Plum Gary. 18th and Union. 1406-18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. (Central District-5 blocks from the PCC) Street Parking available. Dec. 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24. Evening Shows generally 7 and 9 pm. Matinée at 3 PM. Dec. 18th. In-person tickets are available for all shows. Virtual tickets available for December 18, December 22, and December 24 at 7:00 PM.
For Tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/34824/production/1143307