THE SANTALAND DIARIES Returns to Florida Rep, Now thru 12/30

David Sedaris' snarky holiday comedy, The Santaland Diaries, is back for a fourth season at Florida Rep, playing tonight, Dec. 19 - 30 in the new ArtStage Studio Theatre.

Starring Florida Rep regular, Jason Parrish, The Santaland Diaries follows the outrageous exploits of an unemployed writer who desperately takes a job as a Macy's Elf and exposes the underside of the Christmas season.

The newly renovated ArtStage Studio Theatre is an adaptable and intimate theatre space where no seat is farther than nine feet from the stage, and The Santaland Diaries will be presented "in-the-round" which means the audience is seated on four sides with the stage in the middle. Furnished with 120 comfortable new chairs, higher ceilings and assigned seating, the renovation allows Florida Rep to present larger shows than in previous seasons.

Written by bestselling humorist and NPR and New Yorker contributor, David Sedaris, The Santaland Diaries is a hilariously funny and bitingly honest portrait of the Christmas season that Sedaris spent working as an Elf. Adapted for the stage by Tony winning actor and director, Joe Mantello, the play takes audiences on an Elfin journey from the interview process to the last crazed shopping days before Christmas.

Florida Rep Associate Director, Jason Parrish, returns as Crumpet the Elf. Seen most recently in this season's hit opener, Lend Me a Tenor, Parrish is a familiar face in Southwest Florida, and was the recipient of the 2010 Angel of the Arts Award for Performance Artist of the Year.

Chris Clavelli, Associate Artistic Director, is another familiar company member whose work as both an actor and director with Florida Rep goes back to 2002. Seen most recently onstage in Bedroom Farce, August: Osage County and the nationally acclaimed productions of God of Carnage and Dancing at Lughnasa, Clavelli works extensively with Florida Rep, but also in theatres across the country. His directing work includes this season's Lend Me a Tenor and last season's The Mystery of Irma Vepand Black Tie.

Clavelli and Parrish are joined by an expert team of designers who will bring not only Macy's Santaland, but also David's grungy New York apartment, to life in the newly renovated ArtStage Studio Theatre. Florida Rep's Technical Director, Christopher T. Simpson (Tru), will design the set, resident costumer, Roberta Malcolm (Lend Me a Tenor), will design the costumes, resident designer, Kate Smith (Black Tie) will again design the sound, making his Florida Rep design debut, Tim Cobb will design the lights, and Florida Rep veteran, Audrey M. Brown (Camping with Henry & Tom) will stage manage.

The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris & Joe Mantello plays in Florida Rep's NEW ArtStage Studio Theatre December 19-30. All seats are $25, and Florida Rep is pleased to offer a Special $10 student price for FGCU, Edison and other area colleges and universities. Tickets are going fast and available online and through the Florida Rep box office at 239-332-4488.

Regular performances are Tues-Sat at 8pm; Wed, Sun, and selected Saturdays at 2pm and a 7pm twilight performance on Sun, Dec 23.

The Santaland Diaries is sponsored by LCEC and NU IMAGE CLEANERS. The ArtStage Studio Theatre Renovation was made possible by Arthur M. Zupko.

The Santaland Diaries contains adult language and content and is not appropriate for children.

Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson & Hendry with ample free parking in the Fort Myers River District. For more information about Florida Rep, visit www.floridarep.org.

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