1F, One-Act Monologue (10 min). Mrs Claus explains how she and Santa first met, in this charming one woman monologue.
- Winner of the GottaGo! Newsletter's "Favorite of the Evening" award in 2011
"Moving without deviation in the direction of Christmas sweetness, spiced with gentle humor, was Gayle Steigerwald's monologue, HOW I MET YOUR SANTA, by Daniel Guyton." (Jay Harvey, IndyStar.com, 2011)
"Rocking into the GottaGo! spotlight this week is Gayle Steigerwald in HOW I MET YOUR SANTA, the tale of her first meeting with Saint Nick. The delightful tale is all the more sentimental because of Steigerwald's tender storytelling ability. You will find yourself believing every word of the future Mrs. Claus account of the Christmas she encountered the jolly elf in her childhood home. It is no surprise that this piece earns the GottaGo! "favorite of the evening" award once I realized afterward that it had been written by Daniel Guyton. You'll remember Guyton receiving my "favorite of the evening" in 2009 during Phoenix Theatre's A Very Phoenix Xmas 4: Our Stockings are Stuffed with Death of a Snowman. Guyton brings tender, real moments to the stage without slipping down the too-much slope." (Elizabeth J Musgrave, GottaGo.us, 2011)
"This is a handy little monologue for the Christmas season, a nice piece of storytelling for a talented middle-aged lady - these opportunities don't come up as often as they should, so kudos to Guyton for giving us this gift!" (Lainie Vansant, New Play Exchange, 2018)
"The sixth version of the Phoenix Theatre's annual holiday revue is a blend of spoken and sung comedy, poignancy and insight into the ambivalence that surrounds Christmas celebrations... Daniel Guyton's HOW I MET YOUR SANTA ensures that the sentimental side is not ignored." (Jay Harvey, IndyStar.com, 2011)
"Oh, how sweet and wonderful your monologue is... I hope you receive TONS of productions of this sweet and moving piece." (Mary Steelsmith, Playwrights' Binge, 2011)
"HOW I MET YOUR SANTA... Simply amazing!" (Alison Becker, Phoenix Theatre, 2011)
- Produced by Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, IN, 2011
- Published by Heuer Publishing in 2012
- Produced by Hidalgo Early College High School in Hidalgo, TX, 2012
- Produced by Daggett School District in Manila, UT, 2012
- Produced by AFVW Village Masquers in Riverside, CA, 2012
- Produced by South Sioux City High School in South Sioux City, NE, 2012
- Produced by Kirtland High School in Kirtland, OH, 2013
- Produced by Piney Fork Press Theatre in Manhattan, NY, 2014
- Produced by St. John Paul II High School in Corpus Christi, TX, 2014
- Produced by Sauk Prarie Theatre Guild in Prairie du Sac, WI, 2014
- Produced by Mostly Harmless Productions in Schenectady, NY, 2014
- Produced by Altercare of Hilliard in Canal Winchester, OH, 2014
- Produced by Malverne Community Theatre in Malverne, NY, 2015
- Produced by Sanibel Congressional Church of Christ in Sanibel, FL, 2015
- Produced by Jordan Valley Schools in Jordan Valley, OR, 2016
- Produced by Newnan High School in Newnan, GA, 2016
- Produced by Queensland Conservatorium in Woolloongabba, Aus, 2017
- Produced by Mesa East Playhouse in Duluth, MN, 2018
- Produced by LaFourche Pupil Appraisal Center in Thibodaux, LA, 2018
- Produced by Owensville Regional Arts Council in Owensville, MO, 2019
- Produced by Central Park Players in Grand Haven, MI, 2021
- Produced by Barley Sheaf Players in Exton, PA, 2021
- Produced by Newton County High School in Decatur, MS, 2022
- Produced by Belle Plain High School in Belle Plain, IA, 2022
Total Productions (so far): 23
Review of HOW I MET YOUR SANTA at Phoenix Theatre by Elizabeth J Musgrave of GottaGo.us (2011)
PR for HOW I MET YOUR SANTA at Phoenix Theatre on Around Indy (2011)