A horrible split in the legendary Claus family stays buried for years until Nicholas Claus' daughter, Noelle, starts to remind him more and more of the brother the world never knew he had. Follow Noelle Claus' journey to reunite her broken family in time for Christmas.
Thank you to my friends (you know who you are!) who contributed to this play. It was originally a musical, but I had to cut all the songs due to copyright issues. Thank you for helping me develop to this story into what it is today and helping coordinate it when this was supposed to be performed as a musical. This play would not exist without them! Thank you as well to those who had volunteered to perform this. I'm sorry that was never able to happen. I dedicate this to all of you.
Merry Christmas!
COMING SOON
COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
By Chloe Walz
~~~
CHARACTERS
KRIS KRINGLE: He is more commonly known as Captain Kringle, the Pirate King. He is also the younger brother of Nicholas Claus.
NOELLE CLAUS: She is the only child of Nicholas and Mrs. Claus. She was born after Kris Kringle left the North Pole. She dreams of leaving the North Pole and seeing the world.
NICHOLAS CLAUS: He is also known as Nick or Santa Claus. He is Kris Kringle’s older and more famous brother.
MARIA: She is the sister of a king as well as Captain Kringle’s spy who informs him where her brother’s treasure is.
MRS. CLAUS: She is Santa’s wife and Noelle’s mother. She does not like Nick’s brother, Kris.
JOHNSY: He is a member of Captain Kringle’s crew and Santa’s biggest fan. He is constantly getting yelled at by his Captain for spreading Christmas cheer on their ship.
HOOKTOOTH: He is Captain Kringle’s first mate.
BUTLER: He serves Maria and has grown very senile over the years.
CREW: They serve Captain Kringle on his ship.
TOWNSPEOPLE: They live in the town of Mistletoe, the town that Maria lives in. ELVES: They help build Santa’s toys.
WOMAN: She lives in Mistletoe and helps Noelle on her journey.
CHILD: She is the future child of another character.
ACT ONE, SCENE ONE
~~~
CAPTAIN KRINGLE’S SHIP
The CREW is milling about following orders. JOHNSY is putting up a small Christmas tree. KRIS is at the wheel.
KRIS: Arrgh! (Pirate style) Lower the sails! Put da’ booty below! Johnsy! What is that you’re putting on my ship?
JOHNSY: A lil’ Christmas tree cap’n! ‘Tis December first, Christmas season!
KRIS: Off the plank with it! NO CHRISTMAS!!
JOHNSY: But-
KRIS (interrupts JOHNSY): I left that life! ‘Tis a pirate’s life for me!
everyone but KRIS leaves
I was no one before all this! All everyone focused on was Nicholas, perfect, wonderful Nicholas. He built an empire while I was stuck in his shadow. Nobody cared about little Kristopher Claus, so I fought my way through the ranks of the piratedom and made it to the top. I’m happy Maria’s king-brother killed the old pirate king. For he cleared the last hurtle to the throne. This is where I belong. I HATE Christmas!
KRIS is staring sadly into the distance
JOHNSY (enters): Cap’n, we are nearin’ the town o’ Mistletoe, what shall we do?
KRIS (quickly turns): Oh, pull into the hidden lagoon, I have… business to attend to.
Still looks sad and turns back the front
ACT ONE, SCENE TWO
~~~
CLAUS CASTLE
NICHOLAS and MRS. CLAUS are sitting in chairs reading letters
NOELLE (looks a little sad): Good morning Mom, good morning Dad.
NICHOLAS: Hello Noelle, ho ho ho!
MRS. CLAUS: What’s wrong dear?
NOELLE: I don’t know. (plops to the ground) I just feel… stuck. I want to see the world, sail the seas! I’ve only ever read about the outside world, but I want to see it for myself now.
NICHOLAS: This won’t lead to anything good Noelle…
MRS. CLAUS: Nicholas…
NOELLE: What is your problem Dad!?
NICHOLAS: Noelle… (sighs) a long time ago I had a brother, Kris…
MRS. CLAUS (kind of shocked): Nicholas … should you be telling her about… him?
NOELLE (softly): I have an uncle?
NICHOLAS: He felt the same as you do now, He… left… and is now… the infamous… pirate captain… Kris (almost awkward pause)… (ominous) Kringle.
NOELLE (leaps up, excited): Then I will find him and bring him back! Where is he?
NICHOLAS (sighs, looks to Mrs. Claus): I don’t know, but I do know he has a spy in Mistletoe. Her name is Maria and I believe that she’s the sister of some king. Kris visits her a lot to learn where the king’s treasure ships are headed.
MRS. CLAUS: How do you know all this?
NICHOLAS: A very... ah... dedicated believer in me, Johnsy, joined his crew to keep an eye on him for me.
NOELLE: Then I’m going to Mistletoe! I’ll bring Uncle Kris home for Christmas!
ACT ONE, SCENE THREE
~~~
MISTLETOE
KRIS enters the stage. MARIA is reading a book enters stage from opposite side
KRIS (says with a sweep of both arms): Hello Maria!
MARIA (Closing book): Greetings Captain Kringle! (with a sly smile) What can I do for you?
KRIS: Do you have the route of your king-brother’s most recent ship full of gold? The one I believe is headed to the Princess of… that little kingdom with the goofy fat king...what’s its name?
MARIA: Yes I do! (Hands him a rolled up map)
Enter TOWNSPEOPLE. Townspeople go to sides and have silent conversations and activity.
MARIA: You see this red x?
KRIS: Yeah…
MARIA: That’s where the treasure is. This is the only map with this island on it. It’s my brother’s secret stronghold. You need go south at this peninsula and follow this star until you see this coast in the east. Then you follow this constellation to the island.
NOELLE enters on opposite side-wide eyed and running around in wonder
NOELLE (asking a woman): do you know where I can find the king’s sister, Maria?
WOMAN (Suspicious): At the manor, why?
NOELLE (running out): Thank you!
Townspeople exit
WOMAN: (exits behind townspeople shaking her head) What a strange child!
ACT ONE, SCENE FOUR
~~~
MARIA’S MANOR, AT THE DOOR
NOELLE runs onto the stage. There is a door on stage. NOELLE knocks on the door and a butler opens it
BUTLER: Yes?
NOELLE: I need to talk with... Princess? ... Maria
BUTLER (looks annoyed): Why?
NOELLE: She can help me find my uncle.
BUTLER: how?
NOELLE: Just please let me talk to her! Please!
BUTLER: No. (Closes door)
Noelle knocks on door again
BUTLER (From behind the door): No!
MARIA (enters): What’s the problem?
BUTLER: Just some crazy who thinks you know her uncle, your highness.
MARIA (Calmly): Who is her uncle?
Noelle is banging on the door, yelling
BUTLER: I never asked, your highness.
MARIA (Getting frustrated): Then ask!
BUTLER (Open the door): who is your uncle?
NOELLE: Takes a deep breath Kris Kringle.
BUTLER: Not possible. (Closes door)
MARIA: Wait! Open that door!
BUTLER opens it very annoyed
Did you say Kringle? What is your name?
NOELLE: Yes, I did, my name is Noelle Claus.
MARIA (Grabs her hand): come with me.
drags NOELLE off stage
ACT ONE, SCENE FIVE
~~~
MARIA’S MANOR, LIVING ROOM
Maria and Noelle are sitting and talking
MARIA: So Nicholas Claus, your father, told you about his brother, Kris Kringle, because you wanted to explore?
NOELLE: Yes.
MARIA: Why did you come after Captain Kringle? As the Pirate King, he is untouchable, you’ll never get close to him. Besides, he’ll never go back to the North Pole, he hates Christmas and especially hates his brother (Stands up and starts to walk away).
NOELLE: I need to bring my family together. Nothing good comes out of a split in a family, especially one like mine. Family is the most important thing to me. I need to bring my dad and uncle together again. Brothers are supposed to be… be… best friends. My dad and my uncle haven’t seen each other in years! I know my dad misses him, I need you to help me find my uncle. So now do you see why I want to find him?
MARIA: Wow, I never knew this… how did you know that I could tell you about Kringle?
NOELLE: Dad told me.
MARIA: How did he know?
NOELLE: I can’t tell you…
MARIA: Whatever, just don’t tell anyone about my connection with Captain Kringle.
NOELLE: Deal.
Shakes hands
MARIA: As the pirate king, Captain Kringle should be going back to the pirate colony to drop off his treasure he recently stole.
NOELLE: Where can I find the pirate colony?
MARIA: (Pulls out a paper and pen) You go north from here until you see this constellation in the east. Then you go west. You’ll reach the colony if you go straight from there.
ACT ONE SCENE SIX
~~~
CAPTAIN KRINGLE’S SHIP
KRIS (flabbergasted): What are you putting on my ship now Johnsy?
JOHNSY: Mistletoe!
KRIS: What is wrong with you? No Christmas! Off the plank with it!
CREW MEMBER takes the mistletoe
And send Johnsy with it!!
JOHNSY: Please Captain! Have mercy your majesty!
KRIS: Leave him, we don’t want to make the fish sick. Get ready to dock! The colony is straight ahead!
HOOKTOOTH: Land ho!
KRIS: Don’t say that! It reminds me of someone I hate… now he looks sad
HOOKTOOTH: Ay ay Captain! (Salutes)
All crew leaves
KRIS: I thought that… that… that all this would make me feel complete again. Why do I still feel so… empty? I… I… I made the right choice. The North Pole wasn’t for me… this is my home. This is my home. This. Is. My. Home. I am NEVER going back to the North Pole!
ACT ONE, SCENE SEVEN
~~~
THE PIRATE COLONY
NOELLE enters and turns to her entrance and waves
NOELLE: Thank you Vixen!
CREW enters chatting, including JOHNSY. They stop and crash into one another when they see NOELLE.
NOELLE: Hello!
HOOKTOOTH: What is this kid doing here in the pirate colony?
CREW MEMBER: How did she get here?
A loud debate among the CREW about who she is and how she got there
NOELLE: Yells excuse me! I need help finding someone! Princess Maria sent me!
JOHNSY: Who do you need to find?
NOELLE: Captain Kringle
HOOKTOOTH: What do you want with the Pirate King?
CREW MEMBER: Maria sent her fish brain! It must be about treasure! Right…?
NOELLE: Noelle, my name is Noelle.
Enter KRIS KRINGLE
KRIS: Who is this kid? What is she doing here Johnsy?
JOHNSY: Maria sent her! It isn’t my fault!
KRIS: Go, be weirdos in the town or something, this is Captain’s business.
CREW exits grumbling
Now, what did Maria want you to tell me…?
NOELLE: Noelle, and actually it’s not a message from Maria, but she helped me find you...you see...um...my father is Nicholas Claus.
KRIS: Nick has no children. (Turns away and starts to walk away)
NOELLE: I have a family pendant! (Holds out a necklace)
KRIS KRINGLE turns back
Captain Kringle, you’re my uncle.
KRIS: Is Nicholas ok?
NOELLE: Yeah, but when I recently asked about starting to go exploring he got all sad and told me about you, so I promised that I would find you and bring you home for Christmas.
KRIS: I can never go back, I was no one before all this.
NOELLE: I had only ever read about the outside world, I never thought I’d get to see it.
KRIS: That’s why I left
NOELLE: But was breaking up the family worth it?
KRIS: I was stuck in my brother’s shadow, no one cared about little Kris Claus.
NOELLE: My dad, your brother, misses you. I could see it in his eyes.
KRIS: I’m sorry, but the crew comes first.
NOELLE: Uncle Kris, your brother needs you. I have another reason for coming here, Dad’s eternal life, like anyone else in his family, will only last if he stays full of Christmas cheer, but at his last checkup they were very low. I wasn’t supposed to know this, but I kinda was accidentally eavesdropping outside the room. Santa Claus may not have much time… (she is near tears).
KRIS: What?
NOELLE: Uncle Kris, your brother is dying. The world needs Santa, but Santa needs you.
KRIS: I… he starts tearing up
NOELLE and KRIS KRINGLE hug and then pull away
I… I will go with you, Nick needs me. My crew though...
ACT TWO, SCENE ONE
~~~
CAPTAIN KRINGLE’S SHIP
KRIS is sitting in a chair with the CREW on the floor around him. NOELLE is standing to his right
KRIS: My loyal crew, I’m not sure how to tell you this... (looks nervous) but I have to leave for a while.
CREW gives a collective gasp followed by excited/nervous whispers
You see, Noelle here (gestures to NOELLE) is my niece.
Another collective gasp followed by excited/nervous whispers
Before I was a pirate, I lived at the North Pole helping with the family business, my family is the Claus’s. My brother is Nicholas Claus, otherwise known as Santa. I hated making toys for him while he got all the attention and love, so I ran away and changed my name from Kristopher Claus to Kris Kringle. Noelle wasn’t born when all this happened. You see, looks scared our family is immortal if we are full of Christmas cheer. My immortality stopped when I left 18 years ago, 2 years before Noelle was born. After I left Nicholas, his Christmas cheer started to deplete. He is over 1000 years old, as am I. Noelle’s arrival has sparked the cheer in me and saved me from turning to dust, but she told me... (trails off)
Looks to NOELLE and she nods
She told me that my brother’s Christmas cheer levels have gotten so low that he will die if they aren’t raised soon…
Another collective gasp followed by excited/nervous whispers
NOELLE: What he is trying to say is that he needs to leave so he can save his brother’s life
JOHNSY: Who will be in charge of the ship and colony while you are away, Captain?
KRIS: Not you, Hooktooth can. He is first mate after all
Noelle and Kringle wave and exit stage
ACT TWO, SCENE TWO
~~~
CLAUS CASTLE
NICHOLAS is in a bed with his eyes closed. MRS. CLAUS is holding his hand, it looks like she was crying. ELVES are in the room looking worried
NOELLE and KRIS enter
NOELLE: Mama, look who I brought!
MRS. CLAUS turns and looks shocked
MRS. CLAUS: Kris? Is that really you? Shock turns to anger, how dare you abandon your family like that! You are the most selfish person I know leaving your brother and never looking back, now look at you coming back now that Nicholas is dying! Slaps Kris
KRIS is holding his cheek and looks ashamed
KRIS: I’m sorry Mrs. C, I really am. I missed him all these years but was too ashamed and proud to return. Noelle convinced me to return though. Can I see my brother?
Mrs. CLAUS still looks mad, her arms are crossed and she reluctantly says
MRS. CLAUS: Yes, but only because he need you
KRIS approaches the bedside and whispers
KRIS: Nick? It’s me, Kristopher, I’m sorry I left you, I really am. But, please don’t die!
NICHOLAS (Whispers): Kristopher? Noelle found you? I missed you (starts to cry).
KRIS: I missed you too, Nick
They both are crying and hug
NICHOLAS is sitting up now
NOELLE and MRS. CLAUS join in
ELVES look uncomfortable and slide out
NICHOLAS: HO HO HO!
NOELLE: Daddy! You're better! Uncle Kris saved you!
NICHOLAS: You saved me, the stubborn mule would never have come if you didn’t find him
ACT TWO, SCENE THREE
~~~
CLAUS CASTLE
NICHOLAS, NOELLE, KRIS KRINGLE, and MRS. CLAUS are all sitting together on the bed
KRIS: I can’t stay here, that’s what drove me away in the first place. Plus, if I abandon the Piratedom, they will hunt me down here and kill me. I only told my crew the truth. We can arrange a neutral area to meet, though. I won’t abandon you again!
NICHOLAS: I was terrified to continue on without you, I didn’t think I could do it. I kept dwelling on how you left me, your own brother. But I grew. I don’t need you to be successful anymore. How dare you just show up like this, out of the blue? It’s been years since I’ve seen you. You didn’t even write! What did you think would happen?
KRIS: I didn’t think that it would go this far…
NICHOLAS: I don’t need you as much as I did back then, brother.
KRIS: Nicholas, I thought about you every day. I wanted to write, but I was too scared. Nick, you’re being cruel. It’s all about you still. That’s why I left.
NICHOLAS: You could’ve grown with me. We didn’t need to grow and mature apart. I’m sorry, but…
NOELLE: Stop! You both became your own people. You both were wrong, but look! You are now together again. Learn from your pasts.
KRIS: What if I arranged my retirement and let someone else take my place as King?
NICHOLAS: I… guess… because you are willing to give up everything you built up… you can stay here if you want…
Hugs again
MRS. CLAUS: But who would take your place as King?
KRIS: Maybe not a king...with a sly grin
NICHOLAS: You sly dog! She would be perfect! It’s just what she wants!
KRIS: Noelle Claus, will you be the Pirate Queen?
NOELLE (pause): Yes!
ACT TWO, SCENE FOUR
~~~
CLAUS CASTLE
10 years later
MARIA and KRIS are in normal clothes and sitting on the floor with a child in their laps
CHILD: Daddy, is it true you were the Pirate King before Noelle?
KRIS: I used to be the Pirate King, yes. The world was in the palm of my hand. Now I do what I used to hate all those years ago. I have you now. I remember the crowd when I would address the other pirates. They would call out my name with such reverence normally not seen with men like that. I learned that dreams without family crumble. My life as a king was a lie. Can you hear the Christmas bells?
CHILD: What about you, mommy?
MARIA: I was his spy. I betrayed my brother for him. Your father is everything to me. When people found out what I did, they were shocked. I can never go back, but I’m happy here.
CHILD: Why can’t you two ever leave the North Pole?
KRIS: There are people who hate us for what we did. You’re too young to understand.
CHILD: Would you ever want to go back?
KRIS: No, because then I wouldn’t have you. (Smiles) Who wants to be a king anyways?
~~~
The End
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