THE SANTALAND DIARIES Begins Tonight at Working Stage Theater

AggraNomic Productions, D&ME Productions LLC and Brenda Davidson have announced and all new production of The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris. Starring Matt Crabtree and directed by Deidra Edwards. Santaland begins performances tonight, December 4 at 8pm and opening is set for Friday, December 5 at 8pm at the Working Stage Theater in Los Angeles.

"The Santaland Diaries" is an outrageously funny solo play by NPR's well-loved humorist David Sedaris about his experiences as a 33-year-old unemployed writer who takes a job as a Christmas elf at Macy's in New York City. The show recounts all of his exploits with hysterical tales of being in the Customer Service industry during one of the most anticipated and emotionally charged holidays of the year. 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, sardonic and unpredictable, mercilessly cutting through the Christmas spirit to point out the crazy things human beings do during the holidays. Cycling through 50 characters in 65 minutes, The Santaland Diaries is a wild ride of sarcasm and wit that is at times funny and at times touching and will leave the hearts of audience members filled with joy.

Matt Crabtree started his career on the first National Tour of She Loves Me. Los Angeles theatre credits include Doctor Anonymous, The Homosexuals, Epic Proportions, Mommie Queerest, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Frank Zappa's Joe's Garage, and 175 performances of The Book of Liz by Amy and David Sedaris. On TV: Modern Family, Masters of Sex, Bones, NCIS, Monday Mornings, Grey's Anatomy, and Will & Grace, among others. Films include Jamesy Boy, Fast and the Furious: Supercharged, The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall, and Felt Superbad About It. Crabtree created the web series Failing Upwards and he is a TOSCAR Golden Fist winner for his portrayal of Joaquin Phoenix as Ted in the Best TOSCAR parody Terminate Her.

Deidra Edwards just returned from the Guthrie Theater where she assistant directed A Steady Rain for Steppenwolf Theatre Company co-founder Jeff Perry. The Santaland Diaries marks her Los Angeles theatre directing debut. As an actress, she starred in the critically acclaimed Los Angeles revival of Neil LaBute's Fat Pig. Starring in the award-winning indie feature Disfigured she received an award specifically created for her performance by the Women Film Critics Circle "to recognize Deidra Edwards for redefining conventional standards of female physical beauty and pride on screen, and promoting positive images of big bodied women."

The scenic design for The Santaland Diaries is by David Mauer, lighting design is by Amanda Mauer, and the stage manager is Daniel Coronel.

Performances begin on Thursday, December 4 at 8pm and opening is set for Friday, December 5 at 8pm. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm through December 21 only. All tickets are $25 ($20 with unwrapped toy donation for "Spark of Love" Toy Drive) and may be purchased online at www.santaland2014.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838-3006. The Working Stage Theater is located at 1516 N. Gardner Street in Los Angeles, 90046.

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