What happens when Christmas gets stolen from Whoville, again?? Can Santa’s niece successfully infiltrate the North Pole to satisfy Interpol? Enjoy these riotous riffs and many more for one weekend only: A VERY HITCHCOCK CHRISTMAS, back for the third year! PlayGround’s annual “twisted” holiday” show, inspired by the iconic films of Alfred Hitchcock. Made up of five short plays, the complete performance will take place live in-person at Potrero Stage in San Francisco and be simulcast nationally on Vimeo Live: December Dec 7-8 at 7:00 p.m. PST. Admission free (suggested donation $10-30).

Casting to be announced!

NOTE: Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. Masks are optional for in-person performance at Potrero Stage. Links for online viewing will be sent within one day of the performance and can also be accessed through your PlayGround account at https://tickets.playground-sf.org (log in, click “home” for the main menu, then “tickets for upcoming performances”, select the proper show, and choose “watch”). If you have any questions, please contact the Box Office at boxoffice@playground-sf.org.

THE PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS

Santa on a Rope by Shoshanna Ruth Green (Premiered in 2023)
Frillip and Bingles aren’t just ordinary elves with impressionable minds, just ask them. Tonight, they enact Professor Rudolph’s most extreme theory making this a Christmas to remember. Based on Rope.

Shoshanna Ruth Green has done a lot of things and plans to do a lot more. Shoshanna says she’s from Philadelphia, but she grew up in Pittsburgh and her family lives in New Zealand. She is a UCB graduate and current writer on The Pack House Team Corduroy. More info at shoshannaruthgreen.com

To Catch a Grinch by Daniel Arzola (World Premiere)
Whoville’s Christmas has been stolen, again! Can he-of-the crocodile-smile prove his innocence and that his heart really did grow three sizes that fateful day so many years ago? Or will the Grinch go to jail forever as a repeat offender? Based on To Catch a Thief.

Daniel Arzola is a Mexican-American playwright born and raised in the Chicagoland area. They frequently work on several productions in regional theaters and is currently working on several new works, including a new play recently selected as a National Playwrights Conference Semifinalist at the O’Neill and a brand new musical that combines American folk music with various genres of Latin music. They also work as a director, frequently working on new play developments.

The Sugarplum Trap by Marissa Skudlarek (Premiered in 2022)
Santa’s niece gets drafted into an elaborate espionage scheme in the North Pole. Based on Notorious.

Marissa Skudlarek writes playscripts and computer scripts from her home in Haight-Ashbury. Her full-length plays include You’ll Not Feel the Drowning (Custom Made Theatre workshop, 2017), Pleiades (No Nude Men, 2014), Juana (Loud & Unladylike Festival, 2016), and Deus ex Machina (Young Playwrights Festival winner, 2006). She was a member of the PlayGround writers’ pool from 2020-2023, and her shorter plays have also been seen at EXIT Theatre, the SF Olympians Festival, and PianoFight. After translating Cocteau’s Orphée and Rostand’s Cyrano, she is currently working on a new adaptation of Victor Hugo’s melodrama Hernani. Keep in touch at marissaskudlarek.com.

The Birds is Coming by Jonathan Josephson (World Premiere)
Tis the holiday season and Sparrow, Crow, and Seagull have gathered for their annual gift exchange. Some of the gifts are nice, and some set the stage for bloody revenge. A “prequel” to The Birds.

Fifty of Jonathan Josephson’s plays have been produced around the world including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Milwaukee Rep, Chance Theater, Alternative Theatre Company (Off-Broadway), the Samuel French OOB Festival (Festival Winner), and Best of PlayGround-LA. A co-founder of Unbound Productions and a creator of Wicked Lit, History Lit, Mystery Lit. BA – UCSD. [jonathanjosephson.com]

A Murder at Christmas by Stan Stone (World Premiere)
Phillip and Brandon spot something unsettling with the cute new boys across the courtyard. Is something unsavory afoot? Or have they simply watched too many Hitchcock films? Based on Rear Window.

Stan Stone is a writer for stage and film. His published book of poetry titled Unlikely Saviors, received rave reviews. Stan also has a short story in the newly published, Thriving: An Anthology. Stan was thrilled to have his play, Freedom chosen as a finalist for Monday Night Playground’s, Best of Playground SF 2023-24.