Review: SANTALAND DIARIES at ZACH Theatre

ZACH's A Christmas Carol isn't the only game in town, ya know? Before Dave Steakley masterminded the mashup of the classic Dickens tale with contemporary hit music there was another staple of the Austin holiday theatre scene, ok? Martin Burke has been doling out shade on the holiday madness by way of David Sedaris' classic SANTALAND DIARIES since William Jefferson Clinton was in office. And there's practically no crying and sentiment and warm fuzzy Christmas cheer to be found in it, thank GOODNESS, fer CRYINOUTLOUD!

You'd think by now that this ol' chesnut would have been relegated to a dusty shelf behind Bob, uhm, Jacob Marley's chains, but no, back it comes every year like a cousin at Thanksgiving that voted against your party's candidate. And why? Because it's so delightful to relish in the agreement of being disagreeable about "The Holidays," damnit! The traffic, the impatience, the overcrowded malls, the lines, the emotional war we wage with the season of peace, the overspending, the drinking, the parties, the stress, the UGH - the EVERYthing!

But also, it is good.

Ok, so in case you've been living with Fred and Wilma for the last nearly twenty years, let me catch you up real quick: The simultaneously adorable and discontented Martin Burke brings to life David Sedaris' essay of working as an elf in Macy's over the Christmas holidays -OH THAT STORY- right! The one they play on NPR. Every. Single. Year. Since. 1992. Because it's a modern classic. Seriously. And it's seriously funny. We find out what working at Macy's as an elf at Christmastime is exactly like. Exactly. You can go ahead and imagine, yes you can. I shan't spoil it for you here. I won't mention the screaming children, the fussy Santas, the two hour long line, the elf wear, the awful staff... you'll just have to go see for yourself.

And see it you should. Not just because this is a modern yet timeless holiday classic- which it is- but because this is an iconic piece of holiday theatre produced as a combination high class cabaret/one man show that more than one man performs in/satire. Meredith McCall and Martin Burke have a distinct way of warming the cockles of our bitter little holiday hearts by providing a not so subversive subversive notion of the holidays that will put you strangely in the mood for Christmas. Meredith is a completely splendid, elegant and good natured torch singer and Jason Connor a droll and comfortable side-kick-straight-man-piano-accompanist to Burke's believably over the top performance. And the three have been at it together so long we can't be sure if their mistakes are professionally rehearsed or not. That is the sheer beauty of this production - the ensemble itself - these three artists appear to love the work, the show, and each other.

Abe Reybold's direction is clean and crisp, like a sunny, cold, Christmas morning, and the current production team, after so many years, stands tall on the shoulders of the original work, building on this and that, here and there, and it all comes together in that way that only the most well rehearsed and repeated of shows can. There are uncomplicated but charming technical elements that are pulled off without a hitch, and Meredith gets draped in some gorgeous and schnazzy gowns, too.

There's nothing the matter with this production - nothing. I just can't fault one thing. Oh, well. There IS a moment of insanity toward the end, where something touching occurs and the feels happen. It's ok though. Don't worry! It's brief, and the story returns to it's snappish tone in a jiffy. Nevertheless, even surly Bob Cratchit types can reluctantly agree that ZACH's SANTALAND DIAIRIES is fun. Like a perfectly baked creme brulee, it's a dessert you don't think you need, and despite that it's cracked on top, it goes down smooth and makes you happy. When you're done with it, you're satisfied, and ready to do joyous battle with "The Holidays." Go seeeeeee...

THE SANTALAND DIARIES

ZACH Theatre - Whisenhunt Stage

Through December 25th

Tuesday (7:30 pm) through Sunday (2:30 pm)

Tickets at ZACH Theatre

512.476.0541

Two hours with a fifteen minute intermission

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