David Templeton brings his one-man show ‘Polar Bears’ to Sonoma Arts Live

When it comes to the magic of Christmas, playwright-actor David Templeton is a true believer.

How else can one describe a parent who so values the role Father Christmas plays in the Yuletide season that his own son didn't discover the sobering news about St. Nick's identity until he was 14. Yes, one-four.

But if ensuring your kids' letters to Santa continue until they're old enough to open their own UPS accounts sounds more like notes in a CPS investigation than the plotline of heartwarming theater – well, bah humbug.

In performance at the Sonoma Community Center Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 8 to 17, Templeton's one-man play, “Polar Bears,” is the poignant story about one determined dad's mission to shield his kids from the realities of family tragedy and keep the magic of Christmas alive in ways that truly do defy, well … belief.

Templeton has been a writer, critic, playwright and absorber of North Bay culture for nearly three decades. He's penned the long-running “Talking Pictures” movie column in various publications for nearly 25 years and is a member of both the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and the newly formed Marquee Theatre Journalists Association. (The Index-Tribune is currently fortunate to have him on staff covering all things Sonoma Valley.)

In anticipation of Sonoma Arts Live's opening of “Polar Bears,” we asked Templeton about the origins of his play, the magic of Santa and who we have to pay around here to buy a spot on the “good list.”

Knowing that your history of keeping Santa alive in the hearts of your kids well into their teen years was, how shall we say, outside the norm – what inspired you to bring it the stage?

First of all, it's just a really great story. It's sweet and surprising and very, very funny. I personally stopped believing in Santa when I was 4 – as I describe in the show in “the wrapping paper story,” the first of several references to polar bears – and I was determined to not let that happen with my own kids. It backfired. I went a little overboard. Though (my daughter) Jenna was always skeptical, pushing me to be more and more elaborate each Christmas; Andy is the one who really did become a “true believer.” Andy loves this play, by the way. So does his skeptical sister. Jenna likes having the role of the constant questioner and seeker of hard, cold truth.

Some parents don't do the “Santa thing” at all … arguing that it's materialistic, or setting kids up for disappointment. Why do you feel the magic of Santa is so valuable?

There is a brief window in our lives when we truly believe anything is possible. I think half of the magic of Santa is watching our kids' faces glow with that special kind of delight and wonder only kids have access to – and the other half is the nostalgic hit we get remembering when we once felt that way ourselves.

For those parents who feel their kids are at the age when they should know some unsettling truths about the magic of Christmas, got any advice?

Be very, very gentle, and tell the truth with love, and don't let there be a single shred of shame. When kids abruptly learn the world is not what it was, the last thing they should also be made to feel is embarrassment for having believed, or betrayal for having been lied to. Tell them the truth as if they are being inducted into a wonderful secret they now get to help keep themselves. And hope you don't have to wait until they are 15 to have the conversation. In other words, don't do what I did.

The play's marketing materials make it pretty clear to ticket buyers that it's inappropriate for those who still write letters to the North Pole. Despite that, has there ever been anyone in the audience who got an unexpected surprise?

Yes. It was on opening night of the show last year at Main Stage West in Sebastopol. Even though there were warnings and a sign at the box office, one kid was brought along who still “wrote letters to the North Pole.” By intermission, that boat had sailed, and we got a polite letter from her parents letting us know we might want to make that message even clearer. Though PG-rated in every other way, with only a single curse word uttered, it's probably not a good show for kids, of any ages, who still do believe. Unless, of course, their faith is pretty unshakeable.

You've written many seasonal stories for newspapers and magazines asking local notables when and how they learned about Santa … what's the best story?

Well, I tell that story in “Polar Bears,” so I'd rather not spoil it. I will say it has to do with a Salvation Army Santa from Boston, a bus stop on Christmas Eve, and a badly timed shot of whiskey. My other favorite story is about Tommy Smothers, who used to go on the roof of his house and leave footprints for his son Bo. Bo, who told me this story, was kind of angry when he found out, until he finally understood how cool it was for his dad to risk his life, being kind of old at the time, just to make Christmas a little more magical.

Since we're talking about Christmas stuff … What's your favorite holiday song?

My favorite Christmas song is “Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime,” by Jonathan Coulton, the story of a family keeping the magic of the holidays alive even while sequestered on an asteroid by robot overlords.

A detestable holiday song?

My least favorite is “Baby, It's Cold Outside,” because … well, just listen to the lyrics. It's like a primer for frat-boys who can't take no for an answer.

Favorite reindeer?

My favorite reindeer are Fearless and Peerless, from L. Frank Baum's 1902 novel, “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus,” which names Santa's original team of reindeer as Flossie, Glossie, Racer, Pacer, Fearless, Peerless, Ready, Steady, Feckless and Speckless.

Favorite Christmas movie?

My favorite Christmas movie, I have to admit, is 1955's “We're No Angels,” starring Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Rey as escaped criminals on Devil's Island, and how they put their unique skills to work helping a poor shopkeeper on Christmas Eve. It's dark, but incredibly funny and strangely heartwarming, even though it does involve poisonous snakes, blackmail and murder. My next favorite – for reasons that will be clear to anyone who sees the show – is “The Santa Clause,” the Disney movie with Tim Allen as a guy who accidentally kills Santa, and is contractually obligated to take his place, becoming a better man, and a better dad, in the process.

What would Santa say about “Polar Bears”?

I think it would make Santa laugh and give him a great big lump in his throat. Then I assume he'd say, “Well, the spirit of Christmas is really the spirit of love and wonder.” And love, at its heart, is really what “Polar Bears” is all about.

Email Jason at jason.walsh@sonomanews.com.

Watch an interview with playwright and actor David Templeton below: