The Fulton Theatre Opens THE SANTALAND DIARIES Tonight

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre announces a third holiday offering to Lancaster audiences - and beyond. The Santaland Diaries has been called "A sardonic, merrily subversive tale" (New York Newsday) and will have a limited run of six performances in the Tell Studio Theatre at the Fulton. Performances are Friday and Saturday Evenings, December 2 - December 17 at 8:00 pm.

The Santaland Diaries is a brilliant evocation of what a slacker's Christmas must feel like. Out of work, our slacker decides to become a Macy's elf during the holiday crunch. At first the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa's workshop, he becomes battle weary and bitter. Taking consolation in the fact that some of the other elves were television extras on One Life to Live, he grins and bears it, occasionally taking out his frustrations on the children and parents alike. The piece ends with yet another Santa being ushered into the workshop, but this one is different from the lecherous or drunken ones with whom he has had to work. This Santa actually seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, startling our hero into an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill just before his employment runs out.

Based on an essay and on true accounts, written by David Sedaris, The Santaland Diaries was adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello in 1996. The Santaland Diaries debuted Off-Broadway at the Linda Gross Theatre (Atlantic Theater Company) on November 7, 1996 and ran for 63 performances.

The Fulton Theatre production marks the stage return of its Executive Artistic Producer, Marc Robin as Crumpet. Robin began his performing career at age 4 as Toto in The Wizard of Oz. At age 9 he was Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio and finally at age 10 he played a human being as Oliver in Oliver!. His first national tour was at the age of 12, with A Thousand Clowns, 2nd tour, A Christmas Carol (age 18), 3rd tour Bob Fosse's Dancin (age 24) then at the age of 26 the national tour of 42nd Street as the Thief. Add to this, performances in every major theatre in Chicago over a span of 20 plus years. Marc hung up his performing shoes about 16 years ago after playing the Scarecrow in Chicago Shakespeare's The Wizard of Oz and switched over to the "other side" to be a full time, Director/Choreographer/Administrator. He is thrilled to be "on the boards again" and hopes the "ole performing shoes" still fit.

Marc Robin will also direct the production, with Buddy Reeder as the Production Stage Manager.

Single tickets are $25. Fulton Theatre performs in its home, the national historic landmark Fulton Opera House located at 12 North Prince Street in Lancaster, PA. For more information or to purchase tickets call 717.397.7425 or visit theFulton.org.

The Fulton first opened its doors in 1852. 164 years later, this national historic landmark theatre continues to entertain, educate and delight audiences, bringing live theatre, music, and more than 120,000 patrons into downtown Lancaster annually. Since its inception, some of the brightest stars of theatre, music and film have appeared on its stage, including Sarah Bernhardt, Mark Twain, Lionel Barrymore, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, W.C. Fields, George M. Cohan, Treat Williams and Lancaster's own Jonathan Groff.

Today, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Producer Marc Robin, the Fulton Theatre produces a mix of comedies, dramas and musicals, employing the talents of professional directors, designers, playwrights from across the country. The Fulton also offers classes for children, teens and adults as well as numerous community engagement programs across the region.

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