The script involves a lot of this meta-theatrical kind of thing: Caufield comes out of character to tell the audience about her research on Seasonal Affective Disorder; Sawyer leaves Caufield mid-scene to complain about his bit part; and the whole cast launches into a song about why "The Little Drummer Boy" might have been a better choice of story. That last bit is a little much, but in general, the self-reflexive banter is a fun and lively respite from the reverence of the usual holiday fare.
But Striking 12 is, of course, holiday fare, and its earnestness is in at least equal proportion to its humor. Unlike Scrooge, The Man's holiday ennui exists, in part, because he sees so much shallowness in the champagne-swigging first world. His embrace of the light despite that shallowness is the modern holiday miracle, and it's an embrace that many of us work hard to make, too.
STRIKING 12 | by Brendan Milburn, Rachel Sheinkin, and Valerie Vigoda | Directed by Brian P. Allen | Produced by Good Theater | at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland | through December 9 | 207.885.5883
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, Phoebe Snow, Kelly Caufield, Good Theater, More 
, Phoebe Snow, Kelly Caufield, Good Theater, Brian P. Allen, Erik Moody, Andrew Sawyer, Marie Dittmer, Less 
