“Am I a good witch or a bad witch?” ponders Aubrey Plaza as she saunters into the Carriage House at Rockwood Museum and Park draped in a matching red velvet cape and witch hat atop a black dress and boots.
Plaza and her creative partner Dan Murphy, both Delaware natives, were met with about 300 faces this morning as they took center stage to read and discuss their new storybook “The Return of the Christmas Witch,” a sequel to last year’s debut from the duo called “The Legend of the Christmas Witch.”
They held a similar event for their first book last winter at the Brandywine Hundred Library. After the pair’s second book reading and signing was announced late last week, over 300 people snatched up the free tickets in less than an hour.
Although Delaware’s weather was dreary Thursday, the brunt of the storm held off for this A-list appearance., something those who were able to snag a spot to today’s event might say is a Christmas Witch miracle.
The pair took turns reading from their newest book to an audience of adults and kids, and the children huddled on the floor in front of the co-authors were witness to some very witchy sound effects and reactions, courtesy of Plaza.
The second story takes place after the events of the first, and we find the main character, Kristtörn, has somehow made her way to Delaware.
As Plaza and Murphy read through portions of the book – but not a lot, because it’s “very long” and more of “slow burn,” said Plaza – plenty of one-liners were pitched to the audience, leaving an eruption of laughter and hoots in their wake.
One scene in the book dares to question the morality of Santa Claus and his adventures.
Whatever you think you’re in for with this children’s book, one thing’s for sure, it’s not a traditional holiday read.
“We’re not trying to cancel Santa Claus,” said Plaza. “He’s flawed – as we all are.”
Delawareans who dive into the world of the Christmas witch will find an abundance of Delaware Easter Eggs hidden throughout the characters’ adventures, a nod to the authors’ early life and their love for the First State, which they promote whenever possible.
A penguin in the first book is named Elsmere. One drawing in the book is based of Battery Park in New Castle. Another illustration is inspired by the town of Arden, where – according to Plaza – all the witches live.
The pair stop reading in the middle of the book, saving the rest for fans to enjoy on their own, and took questions from the crowd.
Plaza and Murphy said they originally thought of the story as a movie or an animated cartoon, but later decided to write it as a book first.
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A third book is very likely for the duo, they said, and it might find the main character teaming up with her twin brother, Santa Claus, to defeat the evil elves.
And both authors revealed they would love to see a live action remake of the books some day.
“I just think it’s fun … and maybe I could get a part,” says Plaza, adding that her current blonde locks already make her shoo-in for the lead role.
When a woman wearing a witch’s hat stands up in the crowd, Plaza yells, “Sister!”
In true Plaza fashion, the actress tells a child who asks about the story’s origin that her favorite holiday is Halloween because she dresses up as witch every year, decorates her yard and pelts candy at kids when they come by.
Instead of saving all the mischief for October, why not create the Christmas witch so she can pelt presents at kids at Christmas, too? she asked.
Murphy told the crowd he first met Plaza when she auditioned for his play at the Wilmington Drama League. Although Plaza later had to back out of the role, the two met again at freshman orientation at NYU, where Plaza said they needed to stick together because they were both Delawareans.
The friends have collaborated on numerous projects over the past 16 years and even created their own production company, Evil Hag Productions, which has tiny Delaware figure hidden in its logo.
Their partnership, and particularly their producing credits, have helped each star realize how important it is to “create a culture of respect and love” on a set, said Plaza, adding that this isn’t always the case in Hollywood, where they work hard to make sure their sets are enjoyable and well-mannered.
New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer commented upon Plaza’s ability to mask her Delaware accent in Hollywood.
Last year’s book event with Plaza:Aubrey Plaza, Dan Murphy bring ‘Christmas Witch’ to fans for the holidays
What happens when she comes home?
“Capriotti’s,” Plaza deadpanned.
The Hollywood star also loves Dead Presidents, which she admitted to frequenting on a nightly basis while home. Other favorites include BrewHaha and newly discovered Bardea. Murphy said he enjoys visiting Bellevue State Park.
As the event drew to a close, Plaza reminded everyone about Thursday night’s full moon – the perfect time to start manifesting, she observed.
“Think about what you want to bring into your life in the new year … and what you want to banish forever!” she said.
Once the reading concluded, audience members waited to get books signed and take photos with the authors.
Kaleigh Kennedy, 27, the audience member recognized as a fellow witch by Plaza during the reading, came from Middletown for the event and waited over an hour to get her book signed by Plaza and Murphy.
Kennedy, part of the Sisters of the Ivy witches coven in Delaware, said it means a lot to have someone of Plaza’s prominence embracing their witchiness and showing others that it’s fun to be yourself. She said she hopes Plaza will be able to make it to one of her coven’s meetings in the future.
Aside from being a huge fan of the star, Kennedy saw a “Good Morning America” interview where Plaza said she loves to cackle at people who interview her.
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“I thought, ‘I need to cackle at Aubrey Plaza,” said Kennedy. “She’s just so cool, and I feel like the weirder you are, the weirder she is.”
Plaza and Murphy spent nearly two hours signing books for the hundreds of children and adults who came out to see them. Some were teachers getting books signed for their classrooms. Others want signed copies to give as gifts. Hometown friends of the authors even dropped by the event to get their hands on a signed copy.
Whatever the reason attendees showed up, it’s evident these two natives who have gone on to make it big in Hollywood still have pride for their hometown, and that’s the kind of Delaware spirit that all Delawareans can get behind.
For the authors, sharing their work in their hometown to a room filled with their loved ones — their parents were in attendance — and fellow Delawareans was magical. The close-knit nature of Delaware can’t be found anywhere else, and they are always happy to return home, they said.
“Have a very Merry Witchmas!” Plaza told those leaving with their signed books. “Tell everyone how evil I am!”
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