Music may soothe holiday mania

A new word has squirreled its way into the Urban Dictionary. Christmakwanzakah (kris-mah-KWAN-zah-kah) wraps three December holidays into one -- another stroke of genius for retailers hoping to welcome shoppers one and all. This term is the very definition of "bastardization" but, given the generosity of the season, let's allow that it does recognize how American culture has opened to multiple solstice celebrations. Maybe we should just be honest with ourselves and go back to calling it Saturnalia.

Actor/singer Thomasina Petrus and director/playwright Austene Van felt the friendly clash of December customs might make good dramatic grist, so they put their agile talents to work on "Hot Chocolate." This new entrant into the holiday sweepstakes opens Friday at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul.

The idea for "Hot Chocolate" originated, ironically, in Valentine's Day. Petrus and a group of singers had done concerts around that holiday over the past few years, so she felt something similar could work around Christmas, er Hanukkah, er Kwanzaa, er the solstice. She pitched artistic director Richard Cook on the idea of a concert, and because of her track record at Park Square ("Constant Star," "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill"), he agreed to give her the stage for nine performances.

"Then I thought, 'If we're here onstage with a concert, let's go ahead and do a play,'" said Petrus.

She called her longtime friend and collaborator, Van, last spring and they put their creative heads together on a story.

"We brainstormed on how we could be different from other holiday shows," Van said. "We didn't have a lot of time, so we said it would best to write what we know -- what makes us laugh and hurt."

They came up with the idea of two people trying to merge their families while they plunge into the stress of clashing traditions. Van also filled the script with Twin Cities references.

"We get such a tight grip on what our traditions and ceremonies are that we lock people out," Van said. "We have so many commonalities but sometimes we miss the forest for the trees."

Petrus hopes "Hot Chocolate" has legs to become an annual show, with changing scenarios and situations but the same characters.

"Kind of like a little soap opera," she said.

Music and conflict

Sanford Moore is music director for the show, which strings 28 songs throughout the scenario. He and a small combo will be onstage, driving Petrus and Collins through such chestnuts as "Santa Baby," "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "The Christmas Song." But Petrus also wants to get into the second tier of holiday songs from Dan Fogelberg, James Brown and Mariah Carey. Plus, Petrus wrote two songs -- one the title song and the other called "Soul Food Parade."

"It's a big job introducing a new show and setting the groundwork for it to expand," Petrus said. "I didn't find a lot of opportunities to do musical stuff other than 'Black Nativity' [which is not being produced this year] and 'Christmas Carol.'"