When she was 14 years old, Madison was forced to move to New York City (which she hates) with her mom when her parents divorced; the narrator, who soon reveals herself to be Madison in the present day, tells us.
Her dad would rather be with his new family, her mom's toxic positivity feels fake and forced, and she's become the surly teenager she never wanted to be.
But everything changes when she discovers a shoebox full of letters under a floorboard in her bedroom written by Jessica, a teenage girl who has just moved to New York City after her mother's death.
While Jessica hates New York City at first, too, she is much more open to the idea of a new life in a new place, and Madison is inspired and begins to live a little more like Jessica with each letter she reads.
With Jessica figuratively by her side, Madison makes new friends, finds common ground with her mom, finally calls her dad back and puts all her effort into her first big school assignment. But when that assignment uncovers a horrible, twisted truth, Madison is shaken to her core and sees the world through a different lens.
Overall a truly lovely and heartwarming show with a special nod to Madison, who gave a truly moving performance and Jessica, the picture-perfect image of the angel of Christmas past. An emotional show (more than one hand wiped away at a tear) with well-timed comedic moments to keep the mood up when needed.
One slightly picky note, I occasionally struggled to hear parts of the dialogue, perhaps because I sat near a somewhat noisy fan. Even though the performance space was small, projection is never wrong.
Tickets here
Aug 5-7, 8-9, 11-13 | 15:10
Suitability: 12+ (Guideline)