Paolo Andino Set for THE SANTALAND DIARIES, November 26-December 18

Hollywood's newest holiday tradition, The Blank Theatre's production of "The Santaland Diaries" by David Sedaris, this year will star Paolo Andino and once again be directed by Michael Matthews. "Santaland" begins preview performances on Saturday, November 19, and opening night is set for Saturday, November 26 at 8:00 at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

"The Santaland Diaries" is an outrageously funny solo play by NPR's well-loved humorist David Sedaris, about his experiences as an unemployed writer who takes a job as a Christmas elf at Macy's in New York City. At first, the job is simply humiliating, but once thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa's workshop, David (or, as his alter ego is known, Crumpet the Elf) becomes battle weary and bitter, occasionally taking out his frustrations on the parents and children alike.

Paolo Andino is best known for his two seasons on LOGO's "Big Gay Sketch Show." He has also appeared on such television shows as "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Ed," "Army Wives," "One Life to Live," "Guiding Light," "As The World Turns," and "All My Children." On stage, Andino has been seen in "Anna in the Tropics," "The 39 Steps," and "The Food Chain," among others.

Michael Matthews is the winner of two 2011 NAACP image Awards for his direction of "The Women of Brewster Place" and "Take Me Out," both at Celebration Theatre. Also in Los Angeles, he directed The Blank's productions of "The Jazz Age" and "The Temperamentals" as well as "Haram! Iran!," "Three Tall Women," "Stupid Kids," "Beautiful Thing," and, most recently, the critically acclaimed and Ovation Recommended production of "What's Wrong With Angry?" at Celebration Theatre, to name only a few. He also served as assistant director on "Dead End" at the Ahmanson Theatre and "The Cherry Orchard" at the Mark Taper Forum.

For those who like a little spice with their Christmas sugar, this tale of mass marketing, stressed out sales clerks, drunk Santas, screaming kids and the general insanity of the holidays is hilarious, witty, sardonic and unpredictable; mercilessly cutting through the Christmas spirit to point out what crazy things we do as human beings during the holidays.

A new set for "The Santaland Diaries" will be designed by Sean Vasquez. The lighting design is by Tim Swiss, costume design is by Michael Mullen and sound design is by Warren Davis. The stage manager is Sarah A. Bauer, and the show is being produced for The Blank by Daniel Henning, Matthew Graber, and Noah Wyle.

Preview performances begin Saturday, November 19 at 8pm, and continue on Sunday, November 20 at 2pm, Tuesday, November 22 at 8pm and Friday, November 25 at 8pm. Opening night is set for Saturday, November 26 at 8:00. There will be no performance on Sunday, November 27. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through December 18 only. All tickets are $30 and may be purchased by visiting www.TheBlank.com or by calling (323) 661-9827. The Stella Adler Theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Boulevard, on the corner of Hollywood and Highland.