By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer
PELHAM – South City Theatre is bringing holiday humor, hometown drama and a touch of mystery to the stage this December as it presents the Alabama premiere of “Christmas Queens,” a new comedy by Alabama native Alicia Lane Dutton.
The show, which runs Dec. 12–20 at SCT’s black box theatre on Pelham Parkway, follows the chaotic Catoosa County Christmas Queen Pageant, a small-town reunion competition where former winners return to reclaim the crown. What begins as a festive gathering quickly unravels as tensions bubble, rivalries reignite and mysterious acts of sabotage threaten to derail the event.
Donna Williamson, South City Theatre’s artistic director and the production’s director, said the play hilariously captures the quirks, conflicts and heart of Southern community life.
“‘Christmas Queens’ is about six former winners of The Catoosa County Christmas Pageant,” Williamson said. “Jolene, the most recent winner, is 19 and Belva, who was the first ever winner, is not telling her age. Buck Jackson’s Catoosa County Catfish Farms is the sponsor of the pageant, and it’s his idea to stage the pageant as a reunion event and bring back former winners to compete.”
Central to the show is Louise, owner of The Limelight Theatre, who agrees to host the pageant despite her venue’s financial struggles. What follows is a playful, irreverent look at pageant culture, holiday stress and the personalities that define small-town communities.
“This show is a perfect escape from the holiday madness we all experience,” Williamson said. “It’s a funny and irreverent look at small towns, beauty pageants and women in the community. The characters give a glimpse into family dynamics during the holidays.”