Blank Theatre Company Presents THE SANTALAND DIARIES 11/19-12/19

In response to popular demand, The Blank Theatre Company has announced the return of Nicholas Brendon in "The Santaland Diaries" by David Sedaris. Once again directed by Michael Matthews, "Santaland" begins preview performances on Friday, November 19, and opening night is set for Saturday, November 27 at 8:00 at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. Last year's entire engagement of this show at The Blank's 2nd Stage Theatre sold out before performances began.

"The Santaland Diaries" is an outrageously funny solo play by NPR's well-loved humorist David Sedaris, about his experiences as an unemployed writer who takes a job as an elf at Macy's in New York City. At first, the job is simply humiliating, but once thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa's workshop, David (or, as his alter ego is known, Crumpet the Elf) becomes battle weary and bitter, occasionally taking out his frustrations on the parents and children alike.

For those who like a little spice with their Christmas sugar, this tale of mass marketing, stressed out sales clerks, drunk Santas, screaming kids and the general insanity of the holidays is hilarious, witty, sardonic and unpredictable; mercilessly cutting through the Christmas spirit to point out what crazy things we do as human beings during the holidays. Of Nick Brendon's performance in 2009, Les Spindle in Back Stage said, "Building comic steam with his deadpan delivery, Brendon strikes the ideal mix of cynicism and dry wit to mine the material for maximum hilarity."

Nicholas Brendon is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Xander on the long running tv series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." He also has a recurring role on the CBS drama "Criminal Minds." Nick's work for The Blank includes "Lobster Alice" and several productions in the Young Playwrights Festival. On Broadway, Michael Matthews served as assistant director on "Butley." In Los Angeles, his credits are many. He directed The Blank's production of "The Jazz Age," as well as "The Women of Brewster Place," "Take Me Out," "Haram! Iran!," "Three Tall Women," "Stupid Kids," "Beautiful Thing," and "Porcelain," to name only a few. He also served as assistant director on "Dead End" at the Ahmanson Theatre and "The Cherry Orchard" at the Mark Taper Forum.

The set for "The Santaland Diaries" will be designed by Kurt Boetcher, the lighting design is by Tim Swiss, costume design is by Michael Mullen and sound design is by Warren Davis. Stage managers are Tracey McAvoy and Christopher Grant Pearson, and the show is being produced for The Blank by Daniel Henning, Stacy Reed Payton, Khanisha Foster, and Noah Wyle.

There will be five preview performances on Friday, November 19 at 8pm, Saturday, November 20 at 8pm, Sunday, November 21 at 2pm, Tuesday, November 23 at 8pm and Friday, November 26 at 8pm. There will be no performances on Wednesday, November 24, Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day), and Sunday, November 28. Opening night is set for Saturday, November 27 at 8:00. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through December 19 only. All tickets are $30 and may be purchased by visiting www.TheBlank.com or by calling (323) 661-9827. The Stella Adler Theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Boulevard, on the corner of Hollywood and Highland. Validated parking ($2) is available across the street in the Hollywood and Highland complex.

 

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