Cast: 3m., 2w., 15+ either gender. In this Christmas whodunit, ace detective Red Mistletoe is retained by the citizens of the North Pole to find Santa Claus, who has disappeared at the height of the season. If losing Santa wasn't enough, the heretofore colorful citizens are losing their Christmas spirit and their holiday hues. As Christmas draws near, the elves, rather than carefree in color, are glum in gray; Doctor Green, no longer sporting green, is bitten by a reindeer; Purple Gumdrop's not purple anymore! And the costumed children, rehearsing for Mrs. Claus' annual "Santa Send-off Celebration," begin to look like they're in an old black and white movie. It's up to Detective Red Mistletoe, now in shades of gray, to get some answers in black and white. Could the three suspicious new arrivals, Bob Humbug, Fruitcake (Humbug's sidekick) and Holly Wreath (Santa's new red-headed secretary) know anything about Santa's whereabouts? Do they really hail from the South Pole as they claim, or will their caper be uncovered by Red—helped by a now-repentant and soft-hearted Holly Wreath? Can Red save Santa in time to bring a colorful Christmas to the children of the world and even find a little romance along the way? Of course he can—Just in the Nick of Time! With easily accomplished costume changes, turning characters from colorful to colorless and back again, lots of parts for children and teens, a mystery to solve, a comedy with witty dialogue, plenty of holiday warmth—and Santa Claus to boot—this show is perfect holiday fare for kids and families. Premiered at the Dallas Children's Theater. Area staging. Approximate running time: 55 minutes.