Tamal Kundu
Almost all the characters in ‘Single All the Way’ are entertaining and developed as much as they needed to be. They play their designated roles in the overarching narrative diligently and help it come to its ideal conclusion. But Sandy, Peter’s (Michael Urie) maternal aunt, seems to exist just for the sole purpose of entertainment. While she does contribute to the narrative to some degree, it’s overshadowed by the whimsical and chaotic effect she has on every scene she is part of. If you watched ‘Single All the Way’ and want to know more about Aunt Sandy, we got you covered. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Who Is Aunt Sandy in Single All the Way?
Aunt Sandy is introduced shortly after Peter and Nick arrive in Bridgewater, New Hampshire, Peter’s hometown. We learn from the other characters that Sandy used to be an actress in New York and was part of an Off-Broadway production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ as an understudy to Audrey. After moving to Bridgewater, she staged a Christmas pageant with Peter and his two sisters. This year, she is all set to produce and star in a nativity play with Peter’s nieces and nephews, who desperately want to get out of performing in it. Sandy makes her first appearance while singing Whitney Houston’s rendition of “Joy to the World” off-key.
Sandy, perhaps because of her quirkiness, immediately draws our attention. She steals every scene she is part of. While the main plot follows the love triangle between Peter, Nick, and James, a major subplot revolves around the staging of the nativity play. Sandy has little to no control over the production. In fact, it remains entrapped in chaos until Peter and Nick decide to step in and employ their respective skills to make the production a success.
Toward the end of the film, Sandy approaches James, erroneously believing that he is interested in her. The mid-credits scene of ‘Single All the Way’ depicts her finally discovering love in Kevin (Dan Finnerty), the “snow-plow guy” who performs original songs at Peter’s sister and brother-in-law’s pub every Christmas Eve.
Who Plays Aunt Sandy in Single All the Way?
Jennifer Coolidge, best known for portraying Jeanine Stifler in the ‘American Pie’ franchise, Amber Cole in ‘A Mighty Wind,’ and Tanya McQuoid in ‘The White Lotus,’ plays Aunt Sandy in ‘Single All the Way.’ A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Coolidge made her acting debut in an episode of ‘Seinfeld’ in 1993. Her cinematic debut came two years later, in the 1995 sci-fi film ‘Not of This Earth.’ As a cast member of ‘A Mighty Wind,’ Coolidge received the Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Ensemble Cast.
From the writer to director to producer to cast members, everyone involved with ‘Single All the Way’ wanted Coolidge to be part of the film and was excited that she eventually was. “Like any good Christmas movie, there will be decorating, there will be mistletoe, there will be sleeveless flannel.” Urie said in an interview about ‘Single All the Way.’ “But never have you witnessed a town Christmas Pageant cast with children, written/produced/directed by and starring Jennifer Coolidge. It’s the gayest thing to happen to Christmas since Mariah!”
Read More: Is Single All the Way Based on a True Story?
