Mick Foley didn’t attend “Dee Snider’s Rock and Roll Christmas Tale” Wednesday at the Broadway Playhouse because he happened to have two comedy shows booked in Illinois this week. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and New York Times best-selling author booked those two shows in Illinois because he happened to be coming to the area for “Christmas Tale.”
Foley and the Twisted Sister rocker – who share Long Island, NY roots – are long time friends. He wanted to support Snider on opening night of his new musical.
“I saw this play in its infancy when Dee was workshopping it (two years ago),” said Foley on the red carpet. “We’ve known each other for 13 years. We try to support each other’s projects. He asked me if I would be there. I thought it was great in that infancy. I’m really anticipating a great show tonight.
“It catches you by surprise. It’s not as obvious as some tales. It makes you feel good in ways you would not expect.”
Also on hand for the opening: “American Idol” alum Clay Aiken and singer/actress Debbie Gibson, both of whom appeared on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” with Snider, and rocker Lita Ford.
“Christmas Tale” is playing at the Broadway Playhouse through Jan. 4 and revolves around a struggling heavy metal hair band that sells it soul to the devil in exchange for success, with unexpected, holiday-themed results.
Foley – who performed Tuesday at the Jukebox Comedy Club in Peoria and will perform Thursday at Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont — is known for being a die-hard Christmas fan. The retired pro wrestler has a designated Christmas room in his home where holiday decorations stay up all year.
Does this mean he is picky about Christmas entertainment or likes it all?
“I like almost all of it,” Foley said. “But I am picky. I have my go-to list that I will watch every year. I imagine that Dee’s Christmas play will be something I try to see every year in some shape or form.”
It’s this love of nearly all things Christmas that led Foley to “I Am Santa Claus,” a documentary that he stars in and co-produced that follows five professional Santas year round. Foley has been wearing Santa-themed attire every day for nearly 11 months to promote the film. He was wearing what looked like a Hawaiian shirt with Santas rather than flowers Wednesday and proudly revealed he was on day 330.
Despite some backlash over one of the protagonists in the documentary — “Santa Jim,” who happens to be gay — Foley has been pleased with the response to the recently released film.
“It’s been really good,” Foley said. “There’s an outcry among people who have not seen it. But the people who have watched it really like it.”
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