The Santaland Diaries

[HellsBells2]

Posted: 12/7/08 at 11:00am

Anyone familiar with this production? Recommendations?

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/7/08 at 11:13am

Are you asking about a particular production of this show, HB? Or do you mean to ask if anyone is familiar with the show itself?

In any case, I saw a production of this show last year and enjoyed it very much. If you like David Sedaris, it's based on one of his funniest stories. I believe it's the story that made him famous.

While the humor exists in the script, it is a one person show. And I feel that the success of a one person comedy show is as dependent on the comic sensibility of the particular person performing it as it is on whatever humor exists in the script.

Updated On: 12/7/08 at 11:13 AM

[HellsBells2]

Posted: 12/7/08 at 11:32am

Thanks artscallion, yes, I was referring to the show itself. It says its intended for mature audiences - is it acceptable for an 18 year old female?

I am not familiar with David Sedaris (I guess I need to wiki him). Is the humor of this production pointed in any particular direction?

I am looking for some kind of holiday show to go with the whole family.

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/7/08 at 12:00pm

They air a recording of the original story every year on NPR, read by Sedaris himself. I can't think of anything that would not be family friendly in the show. The premise of the show is Sedaris' experiences while employed as one of Santa's elves at Macys one year. Sedaris has a very dry observational humor that I find hysterical. I strongly recommend his books.

I think it's a good alternative to the usual sappy, overblown productions of A Christmas Carol that folks trudge to every year. I used to do just that. But I found a little theatre that does something new every year. Last year it was Santaland Diaries. This year it's Miss Pixie's Cable Access Holiday Extravaganza!!!

[KathyGriffinLovesYou]

Posted: 12/7/08 at 12:02pm

omg! i saw it last year and know the guy who did it personally!

It was HILARIOUS. I DIED. People were falling out of their chairs laughing. It is the funniest thing I've ever seen.

I'm 13 and I got everything they talked about but I was the only person there under 30. It was VERY racy, innappropriate, and LOTS of swearing. You might want to go with something else,you know something WITHOUT whores, sluts, boobs, lapdancing, and high elves.



Oh sorry I missed you saying a 19 year old. Ya she won't be scared too badly. Updated On: 12/7/08 at 12:02 PM

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/7/08 at 12:15pm

Well that makes everything clear for you, HB, eh?

I think Ms Griffin remembers a very different production than I do. If you look it up on wiki, it says the show is a "seasonal staple of regional, college and high-school theatre." So I don't imaging high schools are doing anything an 18 year old would be bothered by.

[HellsBells2]

Posted: 12/7/08 at 12:29pm

Thanks for the insights, I actually think that my kids (21 & 1, hubby and I might really enjoy this. I'm going to look into getting tickets.

I was kind of tossing it up between this and something traditional (White Christmas) (A Christmas Carol). I think at this stage in their lives - they would appreciate this more.