By John Lyle Belden

For those who don’t know, “X” is, aside from part of the English alphabet, the Greek letter “Chi,” which is traditionally used as a shorthand for “Christ,” thus making “Xmas” an acceptable abbreviation for the holiday. In American vernacular, of course, using that spelling usually indicates a less-serious take than any formal religious celebration.

Behold “4 X’mas,” a collection of five works (four short plays and a monologue) by George Cameron Grant, presented by Mud Creek Players through the first weekend of December.

Grant is a popular playwright and “hope peddler” (according to his website) notable for his one-acts. In fact, one of the pieces in the current production – about a set of tree ornaments in their cardboard box – may be familiar to those who saw it in a past edition of the “Phoenix Xmas” show.  

Directed by Andrea Odle, the cast of Rina Baker, Mary Garner, Mason Odle, Oscar Otero, Jennifer Poynter, and Jurrell Spencer charm their way through various holiday-themed happenings.

• Baker and Spencer get caught up in each other after an “Office Party,” but what will happen when Richard (Otero) comes home?
• Redemption comes to Hell’s Kitchen in “Santa’s Clara” as a teen on her own (Garner) encounters a shabby Santa Claus (Mason Odle) who knows her too well.
• In “The First Noel,” a homeless woman (Baker) tells of her life full of “zingers” and how she can’t return to her childhood home, unless it’s for Chinese take-out.
• As noted, there are some holiday “Balls” (Baker, Garner, Odle, Otero, Poynter) waking up early from their storage space to find how fragile their existence truly is.
• Finally, “Santa Comes to the King David” brings together – at the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge – a helpful woman (Garner) and a man (Odle) whose holiday tradition has been to play Santa Claus at the Hannukah Bush in a home for Jewish seniors. This includes a sweet appearance by Poynter as his Jewish “aunt.”

Their performances in these little plays deliver a sense of whimsy and romance with hilarity and heart. Some innuendo gets a bit PG, but otherwise this is a great holiday show for everyone.

Andrea Odle is assisted by Lexi Odle-Stollings, with Kathy Jacobs as stage manager. Costumes are by Judy McGroarty with props by Jessica Raine.

Take some time “4 X’mas,” Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30 and Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 4-6 at the Mud Creek Players Barn, 9740 E. 86^th St., Indianapolis. Get info and tickets at mudcreekplayers.org.