Amy chats to Valen Shore and Alison Zatta as they take their show Chriskirkpatrickmas to the Fringe!
Hey – here’s your chance to give an elevator pitch, can you give us a brief synopsis?
Chriskirkpatrickmas is an original musical comedy inspired by Chris Kirkpatrick from *SYNC. Our story begins on Christmas Eve 2009, 7 years after *NSYNC went on their infamous “hiatus” when Chris is given the chance to make a wish that could change his life forever. Think boy bands, holiday magic, and a ton of 90s nostalgia.
What inspired the show?
It started with the title – it made us laugh – and as millennials, we obviously had lingering questions about *NSYNC going on an indefinite break at the height of their popularity – how that decision was made, and how everyone involved must have felt about it. At what point they started to realize the break might be permanent? We dove into research and the more we learned about the history of this particular boy band, the more material and original songs sprang from it. And when we learned a few years in that our main subject, Chris, was the one who founded *NSYNC – that’s when we knew this was a story that needed to be told.
How important is the Fringe for new work? And how does it feel to be at the Fringe this year?
We’ve both lived in Edinburgh (it’s actually where we met). To be coming back with our own show is an exciting opportunity to showcase everything we’ve done so far and to develop the show further.
It’s thrilling, surreal, and a little overwhelming – in a good way! We can’t wait.
What are the main themes within the production, and what can audiences expect?
Our story explores identity and what might happen on the other side of a dream come true.
Audiences can expect 12 original songs, fully choreographed dance numbers, goatees, multi-coloured camo pants, and plenty more 90s surprises – all wrapped up in a classic holiday story structure that most of us are familiar with. From Jimmy Stewart to Justin Timberlake – we’ve got you covered.
Finally, with so many shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, why should people book a ticket to this show?
If you ever wanted to see *NSYNC live but never had the chance – this is still not that chance, but the wigs are pretty close.
Chriskirkpatrickmas is on at Pleasance Courtyard from the 2nd – 28th August at 3.10pm – info here!
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