(*) Video Promo from Playhouse San Antonio: Jimmy Moore interviews Molly Cox of Season's Greetings, extended to December 23

  Jimmy Moore of the Playhouse's Santaland Diaries interviews Molly Cox, appearing as a double bill in Sedaris's Seasons Greetings (both extended to December 23 at Playhouse San Antonio, 800 West Ashby at San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio):

The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris with Martin Burke, Zach Theatre, November 24 - December 23

by Michael Meigs



The Zach says that this is the last time -- for a while -- they'll stage David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries. This is the 15th (!) season they've done it, so perhaps it's time for retirement, but if like me you've abstained from witnessing this Zach holiday ritual, it's time to swing on board before the caboose gets out of reach. Director Dave Steakley notes that Martin Burke has been doing his role as Crumpet the elf since the first production. Burke took a sabbatical of sorts in 2009 when African-American Espy Randolph did the show to appreciative reviews but the Austin originator was back again in 2010. For the 2012 run they're selling tickets only through the 23rd. On that Sunday Martin Burke does his last Crumpet the Elf at two shows, one at 2:30 p.m. and the other at 7 p.m.

Sedaris' text is smug and sarcastic, an appropriate antidote to all the sugar swirlilng in the air at this time of year, but Martin Burke himself is the reason to go see these sayanora performances. Burke has the fresh, guileless enthusiasm of a child, regardless of the scores -- no, hundreds -- of times that he has done this material. The contrast between that expressive, often beaming face and the cynical account of a season working as an elf-by-the-hour in Macy's Santland triggers your funny reflexes, and Burke has such happy charisma that he's instantly your friend. He's practically within reach, for the Zach's Whisenhut stage is a 150-seat theatre in the round.

Since the Macy's bit is intense but short, Zach and other companies that do this popular piece inevitably couple it with something else. The Zach production opens with a different Sedaris monologue, with Burke as an enthusiastic boy who discovers that his working class mother is friends through her job with a real, live workin' prostitute. The script is not so amusing in itself, but Burke's wide-eyed enthusiasm makes it pleasing. (The Playhouse in San Antonio is balancing its 'Santaland Diaries' featuring Jimmy Moore with 'Season's Greetings,' also by Sedaris, featuring Molly Cox -- slugging down booze from the bottle in the production promo photos.)

Zach's presentation is spiced up by some sly and somewhat naughty Christmas songs delivered femme fatale style by Amy Downing during the week and by Jill Blackwood on weekends, to the accompaniment of Jason Connor, the man with the accomplished fingers and unflappable presence of a lounge player who has smiled at it all.

I shared this experience with a friend from out of town, transplanted back to the United States after decades in Europe. He was particularly impressed by the warmth of Burke's performance and the man's ability to move our emotions in an instant from jolly mocking laughter to an unexpected pang of sympathy by capturing us with his actor's heart-catching sincerity. My friend vowed that this was a particularly American artistic characteristic and he found Burke marvelous at it.

Perhaps The Santaland Diaries has indeed arrived at the end of its useful life as a holiday chestnut and revenue raiser for 'Austin's theatre.' But we're blessed to have little big man Martin Burke still very much with us. He's scheduled to inhabit Elwood P. Dowd, friend of Harvey the rabbit, this coming May and June. You can be certain that the performance will be unique, perhaps with just the tiniest echo of Jimmy Stewart, but with a great deal of the charisma of Mr. Burke.

EXTRA

Click to view excerpts from the Zach's program for The Santaland Diaries with Martin Burke

(*) Video Promo: Jimmy Moore (Santaland Diaries, extended to December 23) interviewed by Molly Cox for Playhouse San Antonio

In what looks to be the first of a series, Playhouse San Antonio posts its first episode of 'Backstage Magic':

Meet Jimmy Moore, currently in "The Santaland Diaries" in The Cellar Theater, interviewed by Molly Cox (in "Season's Greetings" [the other half of the double bill). HELD OVER 'til December 23 - only 3 more chances to see it! Get your tickets here.

Upcoming: The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris and Joe Mantiello, Zach Theatre, November 24 - December 23

presents


THE SANTALAND DIARIES

written by David Sedaris • Adapted for stage by JOE MANTELLO • Directed by DAVE STEAKLEY • Starring MARTIN BURKE, AMY DOWNING (for evening performances) and JILL BLACKWOOD (on matinees)

Musical Director and Arrangements by JASON  CONNOR
Original Set Design by HEYD FONTENOT • Lighting Design by JASON AMATO • Sound Design by CRAIG BROCK • Properties Design by BLAKE REEVES • Costume Design by BLAIR HURRY

THE SANTALAND DIARIES previews November 23 - Opening night is Saturday, November 24 (Press night) - Performances continue through December 23, Wednesdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
To order tickets call 512-476-0541 ext. 1 or visit www.zachtheatre.org. Tickets range from $35-$65.

Student Rush Tickets: $18 one hour before showtime (with valid ID). 
 ZACH’s bar opens one hour before showtime.

ZACH’s intimate Whisenhunt Stage, 1510 Toomey Road, (Toomey intersects S. Lamar Blvd. between W. Cesar Chavez and Barton Springs Rd.)

ZACH’s production of THE SANTALAND DIARIES is sponsored in part by Lina’s Cocoa Couture.

Austin's favorite irreverent elf returns in the 15^th — and final — edition of Sedaris' hysterical tale of elfin woe. Enjoy the real-life story of Sedaris' tour of duty at Macy’s as Crumpet the elf, and what it takes to juggle tots and tottering Santas during a painfully festive time of the year. A laugh 'til you cry evening of merrily subversive entertainment to delight adult audiences! (Note: mature themes.)


For real-time updates on ZACH Theatre news, events and happenings, visit http://www.zachtheatre.org/blog, be a fan of ZACH Theatre on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/zachtheatre, and follow ZACH on Twitter @zachtheatre http://www.twitter.com/zachtheatre.


About ZACH Theatre ZACH Theatre is Austin’s leading professional producing theatre, employing more than 600 actors, musicians, and designers annually. Founded in 1932, ZACH is the longest running theatre company in Texas, serving 95,000 adults and youth annually. ZACH creates its own nationally recognized plays and musicals that ignite the imagination, lift the spirit, and engage the community under the proven leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Launching its 80th season in 2012, ZACH continues to expand and engage with Austin, adding the new 420-seat, 32,000-square-foot Topfer Theatre to its performing arts campus, nearly doubling ZACH’s capacity while retaining its hallmark intimate theatre-going experience. Visit www.zachtheatre.org for more information.


ZACH Theatre is sponsored in part, by Applied Materials, Austin Catering, Four Hands Home, Holiday Inn-Lady Bird Lake, Kirk Tuck Photography, Marquee Event Group, OnRamp, Austin American-Statesman, KXAN TV 36, and Time Warner Cable; and by grants from Junior League of Austin, The Shubert Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, which believes an investment in the arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.


(Click to return to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

(*) Auditions in San Antonio for Annie and for The Santaland Diaries, The Playhouse, September 10 and 18

Auditions at The Playhouse for Annie (September 10) and for The Santaland Diaries (September 18)

800 W. Ashby at San Pedro Avenue , San Antonio (click for map)

Questions? Telephone (210) 733-7258 or see www.ThePlayhouseSA.orghttp://www.ThePlayhouseSA.org

Annie 

Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Directed by Michelle Pietri

Auditions September 10, 2012, Russell Hill Rogers Theater; Youth audition at 6:30 p.m.; Adults who did not attend Season Auditions and who are interested in being considered for ensemble will audition at 8:30 p.m.

Arrive early to register. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. Callbacks September 17, by invitation only. 

Actors should prepare 32 bars of a song, preferably in the style of musical theatre. Bring sheet music. Those auditioning should not sing "Tomorrow." Be prepared to participate in dance audition. (Wear clothing and shoes which can be danced in.)

Performances December 7-23, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; Special Weeknight Performances December 18, 19, 20 at 7:00 p.m.

All roles available with the exception of Daddy Warbucks and Miss Hannigan.
For more information, click HERE

David Sedaris'

The Santaland Diaries

Adapted for Stage by Joe Mantello, Directed by Shelly Chance
 

A Macy's elf recalls his time in Santaland in this hilarious one-man seasonal special.
 

Auditions September 18, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Cellar Theater BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Call 210-733-7258 to schedule. Callbacks September 19, by invitation only
 

Actors should prepare a 1 minute 30 second comedic monologue. Expect to participate in cold readings from the script. Bring resume and headshot. Please note: This production contains adult language.
 

Performances Cellar Theater, December 7-16, 2012, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Upcoming: 2012-2013 Season at the San Pedro Playhouse, San Antonio

The San Pedro Playhouse – Russell Hill Rogers Theatre, 800 W. Ashby (at San Pedro and Ashby)

FOR TICKETS AND INFO CALL: 210-733-7258

BUY TICKETS ON-LINE:  www.sanpedroplayhouse.com

SEASON 2012-2013

Russell Hill Rogers Theatre season - Stories of America

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

1776

September 28- October 21, 2012

Book by Peter Stone, Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards

 This Tony Award winning Best Musical sings of the passionate struggle of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to convince the Continental Congress to declare independence from England, and the dramatic and often humorous drive to the stirring moment of that historic document's signing.

Annie

November 30-December 23, 2012

Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Charles Strouse, and Lyrics by Martin Charnin

 Leapin' Lizards! Annie, the popular comic strip heroine, takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals.  The perfect reflection of our times, and the hope for a bright "Tomorrow".

Roads Courageous

January 25 - February 17, 2013

By Thomas Nyman and Kevin Parman

 A World Premier musical production, Roads Courageous, is based on the true story of Dr. John R. Brinkley, a barefoot Appalachian boy who grows up to become a wildly famous and controversial medical doctor of depression-era America.

 

Spring Awakening

March 29-April 21, 2013

Music by Duncan Sheik, Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater

An innovative, fearless, hard rock look at teenage sexual awakening in the spring of their lives, and the disastrous consequences brought about by the ultra-conservative, repressive society in which they live.  Set in 1891 Germany, Spring Awakening is as current as Roe v. Wade, and as American as apple pie.

 

Ragtime

May 24-June 15, 2013

Book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty, and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

 Ragtime musically weaves together the stories of three extraordinary families, who confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair and what it means to live in America.

 

THE SAN PEDRO CELLAR THEATRE SEASON – Smaller Stories

November

October 12-November 4, 2012

By David Mamet

 David Mamet's hilarious comedy about an unpopular president's struggle to win re-election.

Santaland Diaries

December 14-23, 2012

By  David Sedaris and Joe Mantello

 A Macy's elf spills the beans about the real Santaland in this hysterical one-person show.

PlayFest 2013

January 13-February 3, 2013

By Playhouse Playwrights

 This annual compilation of original pieces by local professional playwrights will have you at once laughing and contemplating. 2013 brings you eight new works, set in an all-American diner…with a few unexpected flavors!

Red

February 22-March 17, 2013

By John Logan

 Painter Mark Rothko trains a new assistant and philosophizes about art and culture as he paints a series of murals for the soon-to-open Four Seasons Restaurant in New York's famous Seagram Building.

Picnic

April 19-May 12, 2013

By William Inge

 William Inge's beautiful story of love, regret, and the courage to pursue one's dreams in 1950's small-town America.

Water By The Spoonful

(Dates to be announced - right/availability pending)

By Quiaria Alegria Hudes

 The winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Quiaria Alegria Hudes' work is an imaginative story of the search for meaning by a returning Iraq war veteran working in a sandwich shop in his home town, Philadelphia.

Have A Nice Day: A 70’s Musical Flashback

August 9-31, 2013

Written and arranged by Rick Lewis

 A lighthearted "juke-box" send-up of squeaky clean groups such as UP WITH PEOPLE.  Great music!  Great fun!

Images by Kirk R. Tuck for The Santaland Diaries, Zach Theatre, November 26 - January 3

Photographer Kirk R. Tuck documents on his blog The Visual Science Lab the creation with Martin Burke and Meredith MCall of publicity images for Zach Theatre's David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries:

The Santaland Diaries
November 26, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Written by David Sedaris• Adapted for stage by Joe Mantello • Directed by Dave Steakley • Starring ZACH's Original Little Macy's Elf Martin Burke with Meredith McCall and Jason Connor

Martin Burke and Meredith McCall are reunited this holiday season in David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries - where our little Macy’s elf knows a thing or two about faking the Yuletide spirit. But you won’t be faking a good time when your sides split as David Sedaris’ comedy tells the real-life story of Sedaris’ tour of duty as the elf Crumpet, and what it takes to juggle tots and tottering Santas during a painfully festive time of the year. A laugh ’til you cry evening of merrily subversive entertainment to delight adult audiences!

As seen in ZACH's recent production of The Drowsy Chaperone, Martin Burke and Meredith McCall are a hilariously potent duo. For more info, including bios of cast and crew, go to the Zach Theatre website.

Read posts by Kirk R. Tuck:

Shooting Theater Ads with LEDs. Yes you can light a set. November 6

The Holidays Are Upon Us, November 16

Click to view additional images at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, Zach Theatre, November 26 - January 2

Received directly:

(image by Kirk R. Tuck)

ZACH’s Original “Little Macy’s Elf” Returns !

ZACH Theatre presents
The 2010 Edition of David Sedaris’

The Santaland Diaries

Adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello • Directed by Dave Steakley
Starring Martin Burke and Meredith McCall, winners of The Austin Chronicle’s 2010 Readers’ Poll for “Best Actors,” with Jason Connor on piano.
November 26, 2010 – January 2, 2011
Wednesday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

ZACH Theatre’s intimate Whisenhunt Stage at 1510 Toomey Road (near Riverside Dr. and S. Lamar.)

David Sedaris’ wickedly funny THE SANTALAND DIARIES tells the real-life story of Sedaris’ tour of duty as the Little Macy’s Elf – Crumpet, and what it takes to juggle tots and tottering Santas during a painfully festive time of the year. A laugh ‘til you cry evening of merrily subversive entertainment to delight adult audiences.

Tickets available online at www.zachtheatre.org, ZACH’s box office at (512) 476-0541 ext. 1 or, in person, at 1510 Toomey Rd.
Special pricing available for groups of 8 or more, seniors and students.

For real-time updates on ZACH Theatre news, events and happenings, visit http://www.zachtheatre.org/blog/. Add ZACH Theatre as a friend on Facebook, and follow ZACH on Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/zachtheatre.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Reviews from Elsewhere: Santaland Diaries at Zach Theatre, reviewed by Katherine Kloc of Daily Texan

Katherine Kloc of the Daily Texan writes a balanced, perceptive and informative review of the opening at the Zach Theatre of the newest edition of David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries, now entering its twelfth year.

The accompanying photo of Meredith McCall is by Kirk R. Tuck.

An excerpt:

"[Meredith] McCall’s vocals are impressive, and she has a strong stage presence, but the highlight of the first half is Randolph’s performance of 'Six to Eight Black Men.' It is another work by Sedaris that tells the story of Holland’s version of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, his crew of six to eight black men and their interesting antics during the holiday season. It is the only piece that seems truly compatible with The Santaland Diaries.

"The success of The Santaland Diaries rests in the cast’s ability to interact with the audience, which is aided by Zach Scott’s characteristically intimate stages. The stage itself is circular and surrounded on all sides by rows of seats, allowing Randolph and McCall to make use of its entirety and to mingle with the audience during the show. Due to this setup, members of the audience are unwittingly integrated into the development of the show while still remaining in their seats.

“The Santaland Diaries provides an appreciated counterbalance to the warm, feel-good classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story with Crumpet’s stark humor."

Read more at Daily Texan on-line. . . .

Reviews: David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries, Zach Theatre, November 28 - January 11

Available at AustinLiveTheatre.com:

Laura Cole's review in The Daily Texan on-line, December 8;

SarahMarie on Austinist.com, December 9;

Jim L. on Yelp.com;

Hannah Kenah's December 23 review in the Austin Chronicle;

Warren & Derrick's comments, December 29;

Jeanne Claire van Ryzin's December 2 review for the Austin Statesman;

Zach Theatre ticket page with video.

Read More at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries, Zach Theatre, November 28 - December 11

(Click for reviews from Austinist.com and Daily Texan on-line)

from Jeanne Claire van Ryzin's December 2 review in the Statesman's 360 arts blog:

A regular with comedic troupe Esther’s Follies, Randolph pops as Crumpet, Sedaris’s elf self. Randolph unrolls a wonderland of character voices and body language from badly behaving children to a socially awkward co-worker to a self-righteous parent. Ricocheting around Zach’s round Whisenhunt Stage, he pops among the cheesy candy cane Santaland decorations, plops into the lap of an audience member or two and otherwise energetically claims the whole space for himself.

And that’s just fine because this elf delivers laughs.

Click for full review.