Holly Resnik and Don Forston in "Another Night Before Christmas" at the Theatre at the Center in Muncie, Ind. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Divorced social worker Karol Elliot is burned-out and has closed herself off to love, family and the Christmas spirit.

However, on Christmas Eve she feeds an old man who turns up at her door dressed as Santa Claus. Is he the real thing or just delusional?

That is the premise of “Another Night Before Christmas,” a two-actor play from playwright and actor Sean Grennan that has been playing in theaters across the country since 2007.

 The play is running at the Theater at the Center in Muncie, Ind. until Dec. 18. This Chicago Sun-Times review praises “Another Night Before Christmas,” saying it follows the footsteps of that perennial holiday favorite “Miracle on 34th Street.”

 However, Grennan’s play is sharper, hipper, and funny and sends a more adult message about redemption and the true meaning of Christmas, Chicago Sun-Times reviewer Betty Mohr wrote.

Why did Grennan make a social worker one of the main characters?

Grennan told SocialWorkersSpeak.org that he has friends from college who are social workers. He decided an ideal character to convey the message of restored hope in his play would work in that profession.

“It’s a very necessary job that is underpaid and overworked,” Grennan said. “Karol Elliott is a wonderful person with a good heart who keeps trying.”

Sean Grennan. Photo courtesy of Playbill.com.

“Another Night Before Christmas,” is a holiday offering that has played in Minneapolis, Dallas, San Jose and other cities with different pairs of actors, Grennan said. In the Muncie, Ind. version, veteran actress Hollis Resnik plays Karol Ellis and Don Forston portrays the old man who could be Saint Nick.

Forston also played this role when “Another Night Before Christmas” premiered in Kansas City four years ago, Grennan said.

Grennan, who has appeared in the film “The Untouchables” and TV series “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,”  hopes social workers will catch the play when it comes to their city.

“It’s not a real reach to write a positive portrayal of social workers,” he said.

To learn more about “Another Night Before Christmas” visit its official Website by clicking here.