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David Sedaris is a public radio god and somewhat of a rock star in the book-signing circuit. Between his NPR essays and his published humor compilations, he has raised his brand of sardonic wit to a singular art form. Sedaris' expressive literate style is keenly realized in this tale of an underemployed wannabe who, in financial desperation, lands a gig as a Macy's Christmas elf named Crumpet. Originally a short story, Santaland is possibly better recognized in its play form--a snarky one-man show with tour de force potential. After successful stagings in the past, Tennessee Rep put the piece on hiatus, but it returns for a lengthy run with a homecoming performance from Matt Chiorini, former head honcho at People's Branch Theatre and one of Music City's busiest theatrical artists from 1999 until his departure two years ago for the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. The new mounting promises a few celebrity cameos as late-arriving shoppers, but mostly this is Chiorini reprising the delightfully misanthropic solo turn he delivered for the Rep in 2005. David Alford, who first created the role of Crumpet for Nashville audiences, directs.
Wednesdays-Saturdays. Starts: Nov. 28. Continues through Dec. 20, 2008
Wednesdays-Saturdays. Starts: Nov. 28. Continues through Dec. 20, 2008
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