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I am not the intended demographic for Artists Repertory Theatre’s Holidazed. I am not married. Therefore, I do not have in-laws. I do not have three children eagerly awaiting the holidays. I don’t balance a job, home, and kids. I have gay friends (and not so gay friends) who like to dress in drag, but it’s nothing special, and certainly nothing even slightly scandalous. My gay friends (unsurprisingly) aren’t married either.

The plot of Holidazed is fairly typical. A mother defaults on her picture perfect life in order to bring a homeless pagan teenager inside to share the holidays with her family. The kids love their new friend, but disaster ensues with the stodgy rest of the family. The bright and resourceful girl proves herself to be brave during a family crisis and finally wins the trust of the harried mother’s husband.

The second year of Holidazed opened to a nearly full house this December 20th. I enjoyed the show; it was charming enough. But it obviously wasn’t for me. Sure, I have some difficult family members who make every holiday awkward, but most of the jokes went over my head. Towards the end, the husband says “It’s better to be with you on your worst day than to be without you,” to his wife. The older majority of the audience chuckled. Mirthfully? Ruefully? I couldn’t tell. I didn’t realize it was a joke.

If you are settled enough to have a family and in-laws, I believe you will enjoy Holidazed. Otherwise, you are not the target audience.