The Ringwald’s ‘The E(Xmas)ist’ is Unbridled Holiday Fun!
You better watch out…You better not cry…Why do you ask? Surely it’s because Santa Claus is coming to town! While that does hold true in The E(Xmas)ist, that wouldn’t be the reason to cry in absolute terror. The Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale, Michigan, isn’t afraid to try something new to entertain the masses that pack into their black box theater. It has daring and wild shows that lean towards the hilarious, leaving audiences crying from laughter.
However, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when they announced their Christmas show, based on the horror classic The Exorcist. Were we about to take a step into a world of holiday horror? One can only assume from the premises. However, in true Ringwald fashion, while The E(Xmas)ist has roots in horror, this play is nothing short of comedic genius on stage.
Directed by Brandy Joe Plambeck, one of the founding members of The Ringwald Theatre, The E(Xmas)ist blends the two aspects of Christmas that people like myself enjoy: a pinch of the scary and way too much tinsel. How can one truly appreciate the happiness of the holiday without a bit of horror? Creator Vince Kelley looks to explore this through some dark humor and downright giggles.
Plambeck’s love of horror shines in this show, as The E(Xmas)ist serves as both a love letter to scary movies and the most wonderful time of the year. With a superb cast that flexes both their acting skills and comedic chops, this play is nothing much unbridled holiday fun for whoever dares to enter!
[Warning: spoilers from The E(Xmas)ist are below!]
Regan just wants to be on Santa’s good list in this Ringwald Theatre play
I’m sure many of us remember what it’s like to be a child around this time of year. It’s a holiday season that is chock-full of wonder as the Christmas lights go up and the snow starts coming down. However, there is also a bit of stress as the young begin to wonder if they’ve made it onto Santa’s good list. Regan MacNeil (Rashi Sarwar) is no exception.
As the show opens, we see her writing a letter to Santa, using an Ouija board as a desk. Her mother, Chris (Melissa Beckwith), thinks the board is nothing more than a game and suggests that the two have a little fun before a Christmas party, which changes Regan’s life.
Unknowingly, the mother and daughter summon Krampus (Richard Payton), the sassiest Christmas demon you will ever meet. Putting the Hoe in Holiday, Krampus recognizes an opportunity for some fun. With a little Yuletide possession, he can have some Christmas cheer for himself. Convincing Regan that there’s only one way to ensure getting on the Nice List, Krampus takes control of the little child, giving the MacNeil family a holiday they’ll never forget.
With Chatty Cathy dolls and Eggnog on the line, Chris will stop at nothing to help her daughter out. However, it’s going to test her faith in ways she’s never thought possible. No, I’m not referring to religion, but her belief in the highest Christmas power there is: Santa (Joey Urreta). Between the big man in the red suit, his Tinker Tot (cause Elf is so 2000 and late) Damien Tinselbottom (Justin Bugeja), and a slew of human doctors and German assistants (all played by Mikey Vultaggio), it might just be enough to stop Krampus from ruining Christmas. Although, what if everything is not as it seems?
Fantastic casting and wonderful direction make The E(Xmas)ist a must-see
It shouldn’t come as much of a shock at this point in our theater critic journey that I’m a big fan of The Ringwald and the work they produce. It was only over the summer that we first came into contact with this theater, as we reviewed their Dracula: A Comedy of Terror, but it became pretty clear rather quickly that they were creating something magical at their theater. From the creatives to the talent, it’s apparent that all those involved with shows at The Ringwald Theatre are putting their blood, sweat, and tears into it. The E(Xmas)ist is no exception.
As stated in my intro, The E(Xmas)ist is a blend of comedy with horror, which might seem odd to some, but works perfectly in this execution. The Exorcist is a straight-up horror flick meant to send chills up people’s spines, but the effects would be difficult to replicate in a theater setting. Instead, The E(Xmas)ist embraces the ridiculousness of the concept and utilizes what The Ringwald does best: comedy. There hasn’t been a show I’ve seen at this theater that hasn’t incorporated comedy in some aspect, be it written into the script, breaking character, or adlibs that add an additional layer to the production.
For The E(Xmas)ist, all three aspects were there. Beginning with the script, the story was strong, with plenty of humor from both the source material and how silly the holiday already is. Kelley knew exactly what they were doing when writing it, as it’s unique in both its perspective but also in its approach. I’ve never seen a show quite like this one, and I don’t expect I ever will, as the story written in The E(Xmas)ist is something truly special.
That being said, some of my favorite moments in all Ringwald productions are those when the actors go off the book, feeding off the roars of the audience with additional bits that elevate the experience. Every actor in this show had a moment or two of getting to riff off the energy and the others on stage, but none so much as our Krampus and Regan.
It’s well established that we’re mega fans of Rashi Sarwar and their incredible work with The Ringwald. There hasn’t been a single production we’ve seen at the house that they aren’t involved, as their talent knows no bounds. They excel in their craft, no matter the subject material, be it comedy or drama. Sarwar has always been someone to keep an eye on, but their role in E(Xmas)ist further proves just how extraordinary of an actor they are.
Richard Payton deserves a round of applause (or should I say a clapping of hooves) for his comedy chops as Krampus. Payton took a largely terrifying character and made him the coolest gay demon in existence. I’m not necessarily afraid of Krampus, but I do want to hang out with him. Payton is hilarious in nearly every scene he’s in, and together with Regan, these two characters steal the show.
However, shining a light on just these two feels wrong when the entire cast of six were just as strong as the next. Where would we be without Melissa Beckwith’s Chris, who is both the most serious on the stage and some of the biggest comedic relief? Chris is a mother, albeit how great of a mother is up in the air, who wants to save her daughter. However, she’s just as lost and confused as the rest, stumbling through Christmas like a drunken aunt at a holiday party. She’s humorous in how fed up with the holiday antics she is and how out of touch with reality a socialite can be.
Joey Urreta and Justin Bugeja don’t enter into the story until late in Act 1, but we wouldn’t be anywhere in this story without our Santa and Damien, respectively. With Santa, you know just what to expect; however, Urreta is definitely having fun putting a dirty spin on the man dressed in red. His monologue at the end of Act 2 was one of the highlights of the show, and I’m unsure how anyone, especially Urreta, could keep a straight face.
And Justin Bugeja, the cutest Tinker Tot in existence. Damien brings innocence to the show as the naive young helper sent to get rid of Krampus and save Christmas. Damien was one of my favorite parts of E(Xmas)ist, with Bugeja’s hilarious delivery as Christmas Elf. I hope to see more of him in further productions at The Ringwald Theatre and other local productions, as he’s something special on stage.
Last but certainly not least is our dynamic player in this production, Mikey Vultaggio, who juggled so many hats in the name of comedy. Not only did he kill it as Karl, the German assistant to Chris, but also the Doctors who come in and out of the show. I loved that they played up the fact that he plays so many roles, as it’s always fun when a show gets meta and pokes fun at itself. Vultaggio is running on and off stage and delivers one scene after the next of flawless comedy with impeccable timing.
There’s no time like the present to get your tickets for The E(Xmas)ist this holiday season
All six of these actors blend perfectly and provide a unique theater experience in The E(Xmas)ist. This show might not be for everyone, as some comedy doesn’t strike some the same way, but for me, this was a wonderful way to ring in the holiday season. If you’re looking for a night out of laughter and positive Christmas memories, then you can’t go wrong with one of the best shows currently in the Metro Detroit area.
The E(Xmas)ist is running at The Ringwald Theatre now until December 22. Have you seen the show yet? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus, @boxseatbabes or @CosmicCircusBroadway.com on Bluesky!
The Ringwald’s The Grown-Ups is a Theater Experience Like No Other
