Hot off their sold-out runs of A Streetcar Named Desire and Short Plays: Lauder Made, New City Players begins its 9th Season with a world premiere by local playwright and ensemble member, Tyler Johnson Grimes, titled The Last Christmas.
Fans of New City Players’ last two years of holiday productions will see plenty of continuity between this new play and 2022’s It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and 2023’s A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play.
For one, The Last Christmas puts us back in WNCP Studios, the Fort Lauderdale-based fictional radio station founded by Freddie Filmore in the 1930s and made famous for its live radio broadcasts.
To recap: In 2022 audiences enjoyed WNCP’s 1947 magical live radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life. In 2023 we jumped ahead to 1971 where things got groovy, and a little meta. Freddie Filmore’s children, Alastair and Frances, have inherited the radio station and Alastair is ready to sell. After this broadcast of A Christmas Carol, he is shutting it down…until Alastair has his own Christmas Carol experience during the broadcast! For the immensely interested, check out this WNCP timeline highlighting major historical moments for WNCP from 1938-1998.
Johnson Grimes penned the WNCP-specific adaptation of A Christmas Carol last season and this year has gone on to create the wholly original play The Last Christmas where WNCP finds itself at the turn of the millennium on Christmas Eve 1999. The biggest change? Radio plays are a thing of the past and the station has a new flagship program: “Calling Claire” (a young Claire Phillips played a key role in the 1971 A Christmas Carol broadcast).
The Last Christmas invites you to once again tune-in to WNCP Radio. It’s December 24, 1999, and Eve Hart finds herself alone at the mic for the first time, filling in for the legendary host of Calling Claire. As anonymous callers share memories of love, loss, and a little holiday magic, Eve and her close-knit crew of radio misfits discover that sometimes the heart of Christmas isn’t wrapped in a bow—it’s found in unexpected moments and imperfect connections. Set against a backdrop of Y2K jitters and 90s nostalgia, this third and final entry in our WNCP trilogy reminds us that even in the face of uncertainty, a shared story can help us all find our way home.
In addition to penning the script, Johnson Grimes will return as sound and foley designer. Producing Artistic Director, Timothy Mark Davis, will return to direct the production and the cast features WNCP regulars Carlos Alayeto, Caroline Tarantolo*, and Marlo Vashti Rodriguez* in addition to newcomers to the WNCP universe Casey Sacco*, Susanna Ninomiya, Summer Davis, Harold Petion*, and Nick Valdes. (*denotes NCP Ensemble member).
In addition to 11 performances spread over 3 weekends, New City Players has planned some exciting post-show events that take audiences Beyond the Stage:
Opening Night Reception! Enjoy libations, baked goods, and bites with the cast and creative team immediately following the show! December 7th after the 8pm show.
Friday Carolers! Enjoy live caroling from the Yuletide Carolers plus complimentary holiday libations immediately following the show. December 13th and 20th.
Secret Santa Saturdays! Bring a wrapped gift ($15 or less) to put under the tree for a post-show gift exchange! December 14th and 21st. 8pm shows only.
Sunday Talkbacks! For those looking to go a little deeper on the process of bringing a new play to life and step into New City Players’ theatre-making process you can join the cast and creative team after every Sunday performance for an interactive and engaging talkback. December 8th, 15th, 22nd.
Pay What You Wish Preview! In an effort to make theatre more accessible this special “pay what you wish” performance features prices from $5-25. Friday, December 6th, 8pm.
The Last Christmas will run for 12 performances between December 7-22. Performances will take place at Island City Stage (2304 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, 33305). Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for students (under 25 with ID), with the exception of opening night on December 7th ($45) and our “pay what you wish” preview on December 6th. Tickets can be purchased online at www.newcityplayers.org/season or by calling (954)-376-6114.
