CRT Downtown to Bring Humor to the Holidays with THE SANTALAND DIARIES

Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown, in associate with Open Stage of Harrisburg, invites those who are a little over-saturated with holiday saccharine cheer to THE SANTALAND DIARIES, a hilarious and biting one-man play written by humorist David Sedaris and adapted by Joe Mantello.

Delivering a blizzard of laughs, this one-man comedy is based on the playwright's well-known memoir of his brief, misguided career as a Macy's elf! Meet Crumpet, a down-on-his-luck actor forced to work at Santaland at peak season. Surrounded by fake trees, foul-mouthed moms, not-so-jolly Santas, and crying kids forced to smile for photos, Crumpet shows us the snarkier side of the mistletoe!

Author David Sedaris' sardonic humor and incisive social critique have made him one of NPR's most popular and humorous commentators and a best-selling author in the United States and abroad. The great skill with which he slices through euphemisms and political correctness has proven him to be a master of satire. His popular collection on Christmas stories from which this play was developed is entitled Holiday on Ice, and his other best-sellers include Barrel Fever and Naked. He was born in Binghamton, NY.

In this production, Crumpet will be played by Stuart Landon, who serves as the Associate Artistic Director of the Open Stage of Harrisburg where he has previously played the role for five seasons. Landon is a frequent actor and director at Open Stage, having performed in The Normal Heart, Clybourne Park, Little Shop of Horrors and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Directing credits include The Diary of Anne Frank, A Christmas Carol, and Peter, Hook and the Darlings. Stuart has also worked at Allenberry Playhouse, Millbrook Playhouse, and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City. This is his CRT debut.

Not recommended for children, "The Santaland Diaries" is meant for mature elves 16 and up, who like a little jeer with their cheer! Performances will be on December 16 & 17 at 7:30 and December 18 at 2:00. Adult tickets are $32.00, senior/students are $30.00. A beer/wine cash bar will be available before the show and seating will be cabaret style.

For more information, visit www.cortlandrep.org. Tickets are available for purchase online at the theatre's website, or by calling 800-427-6160 or by visiting CRT Downtown at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland, Monday - Friday from 9:00 - 4:00.

Pictured: Stuart Landon as Crumpet, the elf in David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries", coming this weekend to CRT Downtown for three performances only. Photos by Haley Harned.

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