Santaland Diaries and Other Great Shows To Get You In The Holiday Spirit
Monday, December 07, 2009
I first saw the “Santaland Diaries” at Horizon Theatre in Little 5 Points a few years ago with some friends. We had a blast! It was hysterical and right on point for the holiday season. So, it was a no brainer to kick off my holiday season by seeing it again this past Saturday night. It did not disappoint. As a local actor that performs with a sketch comedy troupe in town (shameless plug coming up later in this blog), Crumpet’s humor was right up my alley. And as an actor, I am fairly critical of theater and cinema, in general. More often than not, my complaint is: “It was just too long.” Santaland Diaries’ 90 minute, intermission-free show, flew by in no time.
If you’re familiar at all with David Sedaris’ writing and appreciate his sardonic humor, you will love this show. The story recounts his time working as an elf for Macy’s one Christmas season. Harold M. Leaver plays Crumpet, Sedaris’ elf character, as he has for the past decade when he actually was my instructor for the one drama class I took at UGA. He is supported by two sidekicks that add a little “sketch” interpretation to the monologue and get as many laughs as Leaver himself, especially Enoch King. The show runs through January 3rd, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the sarcasm and cocktails that is “Santaland Diaries”. Visit http://www.horizontheatre.com for tickets and information.
If slightly off-color humor is your thing, then you should also check out the “Sketchworks Company Holiday Party 2” this Saturday night, December 12th, in Decatur. A $20 ticket gets you a free drink, great appetizers, live music, a silent auction and a one-hour sketch show that will make you pee in your pants. Actually, I think it’s one of my characters on stage that pees in her pants, but feel free to join in on the fun. I will only point and laugh once…maybe twice.
Unlike most of our show runs, this is one night only and is more of a party than anything else. It’s our opportunity to put on a funny-as-always show and then enjoy the company of all the great people that have supported us throughout the years. It will definitely be the most fun holiday party you attend this year. One note of caution: we are equal opportunity offenders at Sketchworks, so if you are the least bit prudish, “The Nutcracker” or “A Christmas Carol” might be the better options for your holiday entertainment. Visit http://www.sketchworkscomedy.com for tickets and more information.
And to round out our irreverent holiday humor lineup, Dad’s Garage is running “Invasion: Christmas Carol” through December 23rd. An improvisational take on a holiday classic by the immeasurably talented cast at Dad’s Garage is a must for your holiday. Even the cast doesn’t know which ghosts will show up for the show on any given night, so it should be a great and surprising ride. Every night will be different and you will never view Scrooge in the same light again. It’s guaranteed. Visit http://www.dadsgarage.com for tickets and more information.
I hope you’ll make it out to one or all of these holiday shows this year. You’ll not only have a rip-roaring good time, but you’ll also be giving back to local theater which has been hit as hard as anyone in these tough economic times. And with most tickets under $30, you won’t be breaking the bank. Enjoy! - Ashlee Heath
Posted in: Intown Living