Murderous singing puppets and more

Santa’s dead, stabbed in the back with a sharpened candy cane. The suspects in Neil Haven’s Who Killed Santa? are Rudolph, Frosty, Tiny Tim, the Little Drummer Boy and the newly christened Little Drummer Girl.

Haven’s musical comedy begins with the plot, but the show is worth seeing because it’s a pitch-perfect, raunchy send-up of every other holiday show in town and on TV. It’s also a funny, well-crafted play.

This year’s production, which ran at Racine’s Sixth Street Theater for three weeks and opened at Carte Blanche Studios Tuesday night, is the first with a published script. Somewhat looser versions developed in 2008 and 2009. Most of the current cast are veterans of Christmases past.

The speedy exposition begins a few days before Christmas, as a boozy Santa hosts his annual holiday party. Secrets spill, tempers flare, and Santa’s soon dead.

The remaining partiers take it upon themselves to solve the murder. Things get ugly, amid cursing, dirty humor, sexual tension and, of course, alcohol. (This Christmas show is not for kids.)

Haven twists details from familiar TV Christmas specials. Nate Press overplays Frosty’s slow speech and earnestness to make him as dense as the snow he’s made of. A dead-on impression of Rudolph’s nasally voice is enough to earn newcomer Alison Mary Forbes praise. In Haven’s world, the lead reindeer is also a flamboyant alcoholic, and Forbes gets that, too, to hilarious effect.

Amy Geyser nails the classic Tiny Tim mannerisms, from the squeaky Cockney accent to his hobbling gait. She adds a dash of virginal enthusiasm for Chastity, whom Liz Shipe endows with the perfect blend of naivete and sex appeal. Little Drummer Boy Steve has gone from sweet snare enthusiast to grungy, stringy-haired rock ‘n’ Roll dude. Rick Pendzich gives him an edge that makes you uncomfortable as often as it makes you laugh.

All of the above actors voice puppet alter egos. Bo Johnson, who helped Haven develop the show along with puppet designer Dan Katula, is the only totally human figure. Johnson stole the show as Santa, a bumbling detective, and two other characters are just too juicy to reveal here. He drives the play, as his characters either inspire murders or try (often feebly) to solve them. And he’s to-die-for funny in all of his roles.

Brian Myers arranged and directed the music. He spiced up the theme songs for Rudolph, Frosty and Drummer Boy Steve to fit the show. He added a “Santa is dead” refrain to Carol of the Bells and sexed-up carols into a twisted sort of musical comedy masterpiece.

As if all that weren’t enough, Who Killed Santa? has a gimmick: Four possible outcomes, with the audience (cast as voyeuristic elves, a cute touch) voting the guilty party to the gallows. Despite my personal misgivings — Tiny Tim seemed all too weaselly — Tuesday’s audience pinned the crime on Rudolph and strung him up.

But no matter which Christmas critter you accuse, one thing will remain the same: How pleased you’ll feel for giving yourself the present of Christmas, Neil Haven-style.

Neil Haven’s Who Killed Santa? runs through Dec. 30 at Carte Blanche Studios. Tickets are $20 and going fast; one show is already sold out and two others are close. Visit the show’s website for more information or to order.