Connecticut’s favorite twisted holiday tradition returns to TheaterWorks Hartford for its 14th season on the naughty list. Conceived and directed by Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS features work from seven playwrights, each adding their own spin to the canon of holiday traditions past. This year’s production includes Jen Cody, Richard Kline (Three’s Company) returning as The Bartender, and features Dan DeLuca making his TheaterWorks Hartford debut as The Man.
CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS is an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by David Beach, John Cariani, Judy Gold, Jenn Harris, Jacques Lamarre, Edwin Sánchez, and Matt Wilkas. It is not part of the 26/27 subscription season.
This year’s production features new and exciting surprises! It’s Christmas Eve in a rundown local bar. Expecting a silent night, the bartender finds himself mixing drinks for a parade of surprising guests – children from your favorite Christmas specials and movies – now all grown up. Join them as they pour out their Christmas woes in this delightful parody.
When talking about this year’s production, Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero said “It’s hard to believe we’re celebrating our 14th year of Christmas on the Rocks! What I love most is that this show has become a holiday favorite, and we never stop finding ways to shake things up. We’re thrilled to welcome back Richard Kline and the incomparable Jen Cody, who have become such an important part of the show’s magic. This year, we’re also excited to introduce Dan DeLuca, who will bring his own unique energy and humor to the male characters. And we’re adding a brand-new story to the mix, so even our most loyal fans will have something unexpected to enjoy. After 14 years, we’re still finding new ways to put a twist on the holidays—and have a lot of fun doing it!”
CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS runs November 24 – December 23, 2026. Showtimes are Tuesdays – Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 4:00 & 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:30pm & 6:30pm. SPECIAL PERFORMANCES: Tuesday 12.22 at 4 & 8pm and Wednesday 12.23 at 4 & 8pm. There will be no performances on Thanksgiving Day (11.26). Tickets range from $55-$70 (fees not included).
Advanced tickets and more information can be found at twhartford.org.
CAST
JEN CODY (The Woman)
DAN DELUCA (The Man)
RICHARD KLINE (The Bartender)
PLAYWRIGHTS:
DAVID BEACH
JOHN CARIANI
JUDY GOLD
JENN HARRIS
JACQUES LAMARRE
EDWIN SÁNCHEZ
MATT WILKAS
ARTISTIC & DESIGN
Director ROB RUGGIERO
Set Design MICHAEL SCHWEIKARDT
Costume Design ALEJO VIETTI
Lighting Design JOHN LASITER
Sound Design MICHAEL MICELI
Wig, Hair, & Make-up Design J. JARED JANAS
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
JEN CODY (The Woman) Broadway: A Christmas Story, Shrek, The Pajama Game, Taboo, Urinetown, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, Cats. She has been awarded the Legacy Robe twice for her work on Broadway. Off-Broadway: Charles Bush’s Cleopatra, Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, Charles Bush’s Judith of Bethulia, Ibsen’s Ghost, and Henry and Mudge (Drama League Nom). Her voice can be heard on many cartoons including Charlotte La Bouff in Disney’s The Princess and The Frog (Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Work in a Major Motion Picture). TV/Film: American Dad, New Amsterdam, Paper Spiders, Lucky Stiff, The Good Fight, Younger, Instinct, Bull, Blue Bloods, Shrek Live (Dreamworks), Unforgettable, Law & Order, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Phineas and Ferb, P. King Duckling, Winx Club, Robot and Monster, Khumba. 2024 Inductee into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. Jen-Cody.com
DAN DELUCA (The Man) is a theater and television actor, best known for originating the role of Jack Kelly on the National Tour of Disney’s Newsies and the title role in Jerry Lewis & Marvin Hamlisch’s The Nutty Professor. He just finished starring in the 25th Anniversary production of Mel Brook’s The Producers as Leo Bloom at the Ogunquit Playhouse. He has developed projects alongside theatrical giants, including the writer/composer of Wicked Stephen Schwartz, and Disney Legend Alan Menken. Off-Broadway: Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl (Elliot Garfield, opposite Sierra Boggess). Regional: Young Frankenstein (Dr. Frankenstein, Pittsburgh CLO), Rent (Roger, Broadway Sacramento), Little Shop of Horrors (Dentist, TUTS), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson, Maltz Jupiter), and various credits at Paper Mill Playhouse, The Muny, Maine State Music Theater, The Goodspeed Opera House, and the Ogunquit Playhouse. TV: The Code (CBS), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC), & Celebrating 25 Years of Disney on Broadway (ABC). @DDeluca15
RICHARD KLINE (The Bartender) grew up in New York City where he attended Queens College. He holds a Masters in Theatre from Northwestern University. He is known to millions of TV watchers as ‘Larry’ on the classic sitcom Three’s Company. Broadway credits include City of Angels, November and, most recently, Waitress, following a national tour. He was The Wizard in the National Tour Company of Wicked. At the Papermill Playhouse he played opposite Harry Connick Jr. in The Sting. He counts the role of King Arthur in Spamalot at UCONN as one of his favorites. Other Connecticut appearances include Westport Country Playhouse and Goodspeed Musicals. After serving as a lieutenant in Vietnam, Richard made his professional debut at the prestigious Lincoln Center Repertory Company in 1971. Regional theater credits include Other Desert Cities, Death of a Salesman, Chemin de Fer, Native Son, Henry V (title role) and Love’s Labor’s Lost. An accomplished singer, Richard has appeared in the musicals They’re Playing Our Song, Do I Hear A Waltz?, The Rothschilds, Hello Again, and Titanic. In the American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s By Jeeves, he played Jeeves both at the Goodspeed Musicals and The Kennedy Center. His many television credits include The Resident, Bluebloods, The Americans, Gilmore Girls, Judging Amy, That 70’s Show, NYPD Blue, Dream On, LA Law, Mary Tyler Moore, Maude, and The Love Boat. Richard is a working actor and has been teaching acting since 1998 both in Los Angeles and NYC.
ROB RUGGIERO (Director) is in his 15th season as Artistic Director at TheaterWorks Hartford. He has directed dozens of local premieres and award winning favorites including Sweeney Todd, The Counter, Fever Dreams, The Garbologists, Fun Home, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Next to Normal, Relativity (starring Richard Dreyfuss), and Christmas on the Rocks, which he also conceived. Broadway: Looped (starring Valerie Harper); High (starring Kathleen Turner, premiered at TWH). Rob conceived and directed the musical revue Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn which ran off-Broadway, and conceived and directed the musical Ella, which saw sold out runs in 24 regional theaters and a National Tour. His work can also be seen across the country at Goodspeed, The Muny, St. Louis Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, among other regional theaters.
CHRISTMAS ON THE ROCKS Supporting Partner: Floyd W. Green III
About TheaterWorks Hartford:
TheaterWorks Hartford, led by Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, has produced relevant, engaging contemporary theater for over 40 years at their historic Pearl Street address. Founded in 1985, TWH is committed to the power of storytelling in creating community and has produced over 200 plays and musicals, including the world premiere of High (with Kathleen Turner), Relativity (with Richard Dreyfuss) and Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn, among others. Visit us at twhartford.org.