Greta Marie Zandstra’s CHRISTMAS, FLORIDA!

A sun-kissed elf, a North Pole scandal, and a hilariously offbeat escape to Florida.

Open Space Arts is delighted to present CHRISTMAS, FL,  a sharp, irreverent, and big-hearted new holiday monologue written and  performed by Greta Marie Zandstra, and directed by Jim Yost. This is the  first in a series of programs for The Writing Room, a new  play-development series at Open Space Arts. Performances run December  15, 16, 17, and 18 at 7:30pm, with tickets offered at $20 or  pay-what-you-can.

The piece opens with a breezy greeting from an elf who has escaped  the frozen monotony of the North Pole for warm weather, cocktails, and a  drama-free (or so she hopes) holiday in Christmas, Florida.

As she wraps gifts, battles hopelessly tangled lights, and pours  increasingly festive drinks, our runaway elf reveals the absurdities of  elf culture — downhill-skiing dating rituals, the overhyped Santa suit,  and a scandalous secret about Mrs. Claus that ultimately gets her  exiled. Under the direction of Jim Yost, the monologue blends brisk comedic  pacing with moments of genuine warmth and reflection. 

Performed by the  playwright herself, CHRISTMAS, FL sparkles with humor, honesty, and the wicked charm only its creator can deliver.

Fittingly, the actual town of Christmas, Florida is unexpectedly  iconic — best known for its year-round holiday displays, festive street  names, and the flood of people who visit its tiny post office every  December so their cards can be sent with the coveted “Christmas, FL”  postmark.

The Writing Room is a new play-development series at Open Space Arts. CHRISTMAS, FL launches this exciting new initiative — the first in a growing lineup  of programs designed to support playwrights as they develop and share  new work. Through readings, workshops, and public showings, The Writing  Room will uplift a diverse range of voices and stories throughout the  year, Including our  Queer Expression Writing Contest for stage and screen.

Title: CHRISTMAS, FL
Writer & Performer: Greta Marie Zandstra
Director: Jim Yost
Presented by: Open Space Arts
Program: The Writing Room (new OSA series)
Dates: December 15, 16, 17, and 18
Time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $20 or pay-what-you-can

Greta Zandstra is delighted to return to Open Space Arts for another  project. She is a Chicago-based director, actor, and intimacy  professional. Recent favorite projects include intimacy direction for Angels in America at Eastline Theatre (NY) and Bright Room Called Day at Blank Theatre (Chicago); performing as Eliza in The Güt Life Christmas with Blue Gate Musicals (KY) and as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps (Chicago); and directing Henry V at Viroqua Shakespeare Festival (WI) and Mercy Killing right here at OSA.

James Yost (director) has known Greta for most of his life, and loves working with her on projects, both theatrical and otherwise. He served  as the Artistic Director for Interrobang Theatre Project (Chicago),  Stage Left Theatre (Chicago) and  barebones theater project (charlotte,  NC) . Chicago Credits include: True West, The Goat: or who is Sylvia?  The North Pool (Jeff nominated), Really Really, burial at Thebes, the  Amish project, Orange  Flower Water. He teaches TV production, podcasting filmmaking and theater at Saint Patrick high school. Go Shamrocks!!

Jeff Award–winning Open Space Arts is a Chicago storefront theater  and film hub dedicated to new work, queer storytelling, and  community-centered artistic development. From original productions to  filmmaker and playwright support programs to the annual Queer Expression  Film & Theater Fest, OSA is committed to creating space for bold  voices and boundary-pushing stories.