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(Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and City Theatre have announced the Southeastern U.S. premiere of Black Santa, an absurdist comedy that examines how race and racial bias can have a foothold on one of the most benign figures — Santa Claus.
Playing in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater from Dec. 5 to 22, the play continues the Arsht’s Theater Up Close series.
Tickets to Black Santa are $56 and $61 and may be purchased now at arshtcenter.org, or at the Arsht Center box office by calling 305-949-6722. VIP upgrades are available for $30 and include premium up-front seating, a complimentary beverage and a festive gift bag. A portion of VIP ticket sales help support City Theatre’s arts education initiatives.
“I am thrilled to bring the southeastern premiere of Black Santa, a hilarious comedy, to Miami this holiday season,” said Margaret M. Ledford, City Theatre’s artistic director and director of Black Santa. “This play feels especially timely, as it explores the diverse perspectives that enrich our shared human experiences. It’s a story that will make you laugh and want to talk about it with your family, friends, and folks in your community.”
Shortly before Christmas break, a third grader named Sharifa proudly declares to her class that Santa Claus is Black, sending the school into an uproar. To quell the storm, Patrice Patterson, the school’s only Black teacher, is asked to create an ad campaign within the school to make Santa white again. As events unfold, Sharifa’s enrollment is placed in jeopardy, and Patrice must decide how to protect Sharifa and ultimately herself.
Black Santa features an all-local cast led by Carbonell and Silver Palm Award-winner Rita Cole, and features Niki Fridh, Jeff Burleson, Robert L. Strain, Kimmie Harvey and Phillip Andrew Santiago.
An opening weekend holiday-themed celebration will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Aaron Mays is an award-winning theater artist based in Chicago, working as a stage director and playwright. His latest play, Black Santa, was one of four finalists to receive its world premiere at the 2024 Obsidian Theatre Festival. His other plays include Hush Hush, Pass Me Over, Stick and Stones and an adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which was commissioned by South Bend Civic Theatre.
Most recently, Aaron adapted The Legend of Sleepy Hollow into a radio play, which aired on Buffalo’s NPR station in conjunction with the University at Buffalo’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information.
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