With reality TV shows like American Idol and The X Factor increasing in popularity around the globe, writer Alicia Altass thought she would take a page out of pop culture to pen a script for this year's Christmas edition of Feast Dinner Theatre.
"After being in different shows, I've come to realize that people relate to all the things they're watching on TV every night or things they're talking about around the watercooler at work," says Altass, whose acting credits include Eva Peron in Evita as well as 12 previous dinner theatre shows.
Taking her inspiration from The X Factor, a singing competition created by Simon Cowell, she has penned Naughty or Nice: The Elf Factor.
"I know that people really like this kind of stuff so I figured it would be fun," says Altass of the delightful dinner theatre production that opened this past Thursday at Brothers Two Restaurant in Summerside.
The show follows the trials and tribulations of four finalists - Greg (Anders Balderston); Angela (Sharon Eyster); Ryan (Shawn Arsenault) and Sasha (Altass) - as they climb the ladder toward stardom in the Naughty or Nice Network's live taping of the Elf Factor. The competition offers fame and fortune: a $10,000 prize and a tour with such Canadian musical greats as Susan Aglukark and Alfie Zappacosta.
When the finalists are narrowed down to just Angela and Sasha, the latter conjures up a plan to plot Angela's demise and that's where the naughtiness begins.
Sasha spikes her honey and lemon drink with alcohol with the hopes that Angela will be disqualified from the competition.
Without giving too much else away, the consequences create some very human moments for the actors.
"I had fun with it and I was able to be as goofy as I wanted to, which was a plus," says Eyster, when the show was over.
"I also had a blast performing and singing," says the UPEI/Regent University graduate who gave a stirring rendition of The River by Joni Mitchell that left many audience members reaching for handkerchiefs.
It was one of 26 songs performed by members of the cast that also includes Adam MacGregor, the musical director.
"There's easily something from the last six decades. But we're not trying to impress people. We just want everyone to come and have the time of their lives," he says.
The set list includes everything from hits like Suspicious Minds, Day Dream Believer, Go Your Own Way and Crocodile Rock to classic Christmas carols and a new arrangement that weaves together God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and We Three Kings.
After selecting and rehearsing the music, MacGregor didn't know how the selections would go over until the first time they were performed before a live audience.
"But tonight when I looked out and saw people singing along that was enough for me," says MacGregor, who also plays Andy, the host of the TV show.
Besides some great group singing, solo moments stood out. They included a break dance performance by Balderston and a comedic ribbon dance by Arsenault.
Altass believes that the reality show appeals to audiences because they see a reflection of themselves.
"It's about real people and raw life experiences that you're watching right in front of you. As a result you get really invested in the people," she says.
Meanwhile, director Sherri-Lee Darrach praises Altass and her first-ever theatre piece.
"What's brilliant about Alicia is that she's a triple threat. She's a fabulous actor, musician and singer.
"Because she's played so many different characters really well, she's written a great script."
