Green Bay Press-Gazette (WI)
November 17, 2005
Warren Gerds
These days, Santa Claus is the one who makes a list and checks it twice to “find out who’s naughty or nice.”
In long-ago folklore in Europe, Black Peter took care of that for Santa. The shady character will surface as an elf in the new Venture Theatre dark comedy, “Black Peter,” written by the troupe’s Pat Quigley and directed by Laura Riddle, who chairs the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay theater department.
The story explores the centuries-old history and downfall of Black Peter, who evolved through time.
Some accounts say he was envisioned as the devil. Some say Santa put him in chains and made him a slave.
“It was a European kind of tradition,” says Mike Eserkaln, who plays the title role. “I guess it did come over here, but it didn’t last very long at all as Christmas became a happier, giving holiday.
“He was the one who gave out coal and other punishments. He used to abduct children and take them away to Spain and eat them, in the worst cases. That didn’t catch on with the kids, I guess.”
Venture Theatre’s show includes musical solos, duets and interludes. Quigley wrote the lyrics, with Kevin MacLeod adding the music.
“Some characters sing songs, but it’s not a full-fledged musical,” says Eserkaln, who co-owns the theater.
Other performers are Barb Robertson and Christianne Jacobs, who share the role of Margarita; Jason Zirbel, Jack; Tony Mayer, Kris Kringle; Laurie Bruinooge, Mrs. Kringle; and Peter Blavat, Rudy.
Each performer also has several puppet roles.
In the show, Black Peter starts out as a clown in Spain. He’s nice to children until he’s called to fight in a war in the 1400s.
“He tries to avoid the war, and children turn him in to make him go to war,” Eserkaln says. “That turns him against the children.
“At the same time, he gets hired by Santa Claus to be his helper, to help with the naughty list. Peter is a clown — a nice guy — but he gets twisted wrong and starts to enjoy his job of punishing children a little too much.”
During the run of “Black Peter,” ComedyCity improvisational shows will continue to run in the space adjacent to Venture Theatre.
