The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings, two holiday pieces by humorist David Sedaris, kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving on the CircleStage at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.
Review for the Santaland Diaries:
The Santaland Diaries is David Sedaris’ hilarious and probably true account of his stint working as a Christmas elf at Macy's department store during the holiday crunch. At first the job is simply humiliating, but the thousands of visitors pouring through Santa’s workshop make him battle weary and bitter. Taking consolation in the fact that some of the other elves were television extras on One Life to Live, he grins and bears it. At long last, the revolving door of Santas finally delivers one who actually seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, startling our hero into an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill just before his employment runs out.
Review for Season's Greetings:
Santaland is paired with Season’s Greetings, another funny, touching – and twisted – monologue from David Sedaris about the horror of seasonal newsletters from a housewife desperately trying to hang on to her holiday traditions when everything around her is in shambles.
Judy LaMance brings Season’s Greetings as Jocelyn Dunbar; Joshua Harrell is Crumpet the Elf in The Santaland Diaries; and Bro. Ron Fender, director, delivers this laugh-out-loud, darkly humorous holiday package of tales that are tart and pleasant alternatives to all the holiday cheer. It was adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello. This production is suitable for older teens to adults.
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Nov. 23–Dec. 8. Opening night reception Nov. 23 begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, is Girls’ Night Out sponsored by Brewer Media starting at 7 p.m., with complimentary snacks and adult beverages. Then stay for Talk Back after that evening’s performance to chat with the director and cast. Saturday, Dec. 8, visit the MainStage patio before the show to enjoy the 7 p.m. Boat Parade of Lights on the Tennessee River.
Performance schedule with special events:
Friday, Nov. 23, 8 p.m. Opening night reception starts at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov 24., 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov 30., 8 p.m. Girls’ Night Out with Brewer Media at 7 p.m.; Talk Back with director and cast after the performance
Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8, p.m. Come early and watch the Boat Parade of Lights on the Tennessee River at 7 p.m.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is at 400 River St. on the NorthShore. Parking is available for $2 in the lot next to the Theatre Centre. Tickets are available by calling 267-8534 or they may be purchased online at tickets.theatrecentre.com.