Florida Rep to Present David Sedaris' THE SANTALAND DIARIES, 12/18-29

David Sedaris' snarky holiday comedy, The Santaland Diaries, is back for a 5th season at Florida Rep, playing Dec. 18-29 in the new ArtStage Studio Theatre.

Starring Florida Rep ensemble member, 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.

"We're very pleased to bring this very edgy, very adult and very funny play back for another season," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "it has become a holiday tradition for Southwest Florida audiences, and continues to bring in new patrons. If you missed it last season, now is your chance to get tickets. If you saw it and loved it last year, bring a few friends and celebrate with us again this year."

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.

The Naples Daily News raved, calling The Santaland Diaries "A good romp in the snow...a sleighload of snark and a sackful of laughs," and The News-Press told readers to "Line up to see The Santaland Diaries at Florida Rep!"

Florida Rep ensemble member and Associate Director, Jason Parrish, returns for a fifth season in his candy-cane tights as Crumpet the Elf. Seen most recently in last season's hit comedy, Miracle on South Division Street, Parrish is a familiar face in Southwest Florida, and has appeared in twenty Florida Rep productions since 2005.

Florida Rep Associate Artistic Director and ensemble member, Chris Clavelli, directs the production for a fourth season after helming this season's Collected Stories and My Three Angels. Clavelli's work as both an actor and a director with Florida Rep goes back to 2002, and he was seen most recently in last season's Talley's Folly.

Clavelli and Parrish are joined by an expert team of designers including set designer, Christopher T. Simpson (The Fantasticks), resident costume designer, Roberta Malcolm (Social Security), lighting designer, Tim Cobb (Santaland 2012), sound designer, Kate Smith (My Three Angels), and production stage manager Janine Wochna (Collected Stories).

The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris & Joe Mantello plays in Florida Rep's ArtStage Studio Theatre December 18-29. All seats are $25, and Florida Rep is pleased to offer a Special $10 price for students with a valid ID. Tickets are going fast and are available online at www.FloridaRep.org and through the Florida Rep box office at 239-332-4488.

Regular performances are Wed.-Sat. at 8pm; Wed., Sun., and Sat. at 2pm. There are no performances on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

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 is for mature elves only!

Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson & Hendry with ample free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Follow Florida Rep on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube by visiting us online at www.floridarep.org.

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