Florida Rep to Present THE SANTALAND DIARIES

Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of David Sedaris' thorny Holiday comedy, The Santaland Diaries, for the last time in its ArtStage Studio Theatre.

Back for a sixth season of yuletide mischief, this December marks the end of a Holiday tradition in Southwest Florida, as Jason Parrish retires his tights and takes a final bow as the lovably snarky elf, Crumpet.

The Santaland Diaries plays Dec. 17-28 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre as a Holiday Bonus to the 2014-2015 season, and all seats are $25.

"It's a bittersweet announcement to make because the production is so near and dear to all of our hearts," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo. "Santaland was the first play we ever produced in our second space in December of 2009-paving the way for the theatre's renovation in the fall of 2012. It's been a joy watching the production delight audiences over the past five years, but it's time to try something new at the holidays. Of course, I'm sad to see Crumpet go, but excited to see what the future will hold."

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 at New York City's iconic Macy's Herald Square. Adapted for the stage by Tony-winning actor and director, Joe Mantello, the play takes audiences on a sometimes subversive and sometimes touching journey from the interview process to the last crazed shopping days before Christmas.

Florida Rep ensemble member and Associate Director, Jason Parrish, returns for a sixth season as Crumpet the Elf after recent appearances in Florida Rep's Clybourne Park, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and January's nationally acclaimed production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Parrish is a familiar face in Southwest Florida, and has appeared in over twenty Florida Rep productions over ten seasons.

Florida Rep's Associate Artistic Director and ensemble member, Chris Clavelli, directs the production for a fifth year after recently helming Florida Rep's critically acclaimed production of Tribes this fall. Clavelli's work as both an actor and a director with Florida Rep includes over 30 productions and goes back to 2002.

Clavelli and Parrish are joined by an expert team of designers including set designer, Christopher T. Simpson (The Fantasticks), resident costume designer, Roberta Malcolm (Heart Song), lighting designer, John Kiselica, sound designer, Kate Smith (A Grand Night for Singing), and production stage manager Janine Wochna (Tribes).

The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris and Joe Mantello plays in Florida Rep's ArtStage Studio Theatre December 17-28. 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 FloridaRep.org and through the Box Office at 239-332-4488.

The Santaland Diaries contains adult language and is for mature elves only!

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

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