Lemony Snicket's LUMP OF COAL
Children's Creativity Museum, San Francisco
Don't wait - tickets are selling out!

First came Scrooge, then the Grinch, then Oogie Boogie. Now it's this generations turn for a small and flammable holiday bad boy straight from the mind of Lemony Snicket. Don't miss the world premiere of "LUMP OF COAL," brought to you by the Bay Area Children's Theater. I'm thrilled to share with you an exclusive interview with Lump of Coal as he seeks out his own holiday miracle. 

I have to admit, I've never interviewed an inanimate object before. Can you tell me a little about yourself, and perhaps some of your traditions, culture, food, and stuff like that?

It is delightful to be interviewed! But if I could make one tiny correction before we start: though I am an object, as you say, I am not exactly inanimate. I can, for the sake of argument, talk, think, and move myself around. However, I completely agree with your sentiment. I think most human beings faced with a talking, thinking, moving lump of coal are often surprised and curious.

I will say, traditionally, many lumps of coal spend their lives in bags waiting for summer barbeques. (Many of them are, after all, truly inanimate.) So I, as a member of a holiday story, have gone against that tradition. I am aware that in some cultures there is a holiday tradition of placing a lump of coal inside of a decorative sock. I don't entirely approve of the practice, because I've also heard it's traditionally employed as a punishment for naughty children. Regarding food, I don't eat anything myself, but I do love to cook.

Do you like to be addressed as Lump of Coal, Lump, or perhaps Mr. Coal?

In stories about me, I'm generally referred to as the lump of coal, uncapitalized, unless I'm in the title. In more personal settings, such as this interview, I think Lump is fine. 

Okay, Lump =) There's lots of twists you wouldn’t see in a typical Christmas story. As the star of this show, can you tell me more about what makes your story, "Lump of Coal,” so special?

It is a story filled with miracles. I started from very humble origins, and yet, I found a life with friends and work that I am very grateful for.

As you mentioned earlier, children who are naughty are known to get a lump of coal in their Christmas stocking. What's the naughtiest gift you received?

A bucket of snow.

Have you and your personal biographer, Lemony Snicket, seen the play? What do you both think?

We have not, but it opens this Saturday, December 5th and runs for five weekends.

In this performance, you have the awesome actor, Andrew P. Quick, playing you, however, if you had the choice, which famous actor would you like to see play you in a movie or play about your life and why? 

Micheal Pena.  He is funny, charming, and good looking.  Much like myself.

Hmmm, yes. I can see the resemblance. Now that you are rich and famous, what do you like to do in your spare time? 

The same things I liked to do before I was rich and famous, of course!  I like to make art and cook authentic Korean barbecue with my friends.

Any cool holiday plans?

I will be spending most my time in Korea, and as always I will light myself on fire for New Year's Eve. 

They say, "Good things come in small packages," which is why you don't want to miss the hilariously heart burning world premier performance, "Lemony Snicket's Lump of Coal," debuting December 5th thru January 3rd at the Children's Creativity Museum Theater in San Francisco. Recommended for age 4 and up. To purchase tickets online and learn more visit Bay Area Children's Theatre or at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.