BWW Interviews: Matt Chiorini Returns to 'Don the Elf Ears' in Tennessee Rep's SANTALAND DIARIES

Ahh, it's that time of year again: Children are writing their letters of demand to the big guy at the North Pole, parents are queuing up to get second mortgages on their homes in order to fulfill those wishes, and Tennessee Repertory Theatre presents a revival of one of its most-requested holiday season staples: David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries, the wacky and witty portrait of a fledgling actor who gets a seasonal job at Macy's Herald Square as one of Santa's underlings.

Directed by David Alford (who first wore Crumpet the elf's turned-up slippers for Tennessee Rep) and starring audience favorite Matt Chiorini, who returns to Nashville to take on the festive mantle of the acerbic, take no prisoners, would-be actor and serious One Life to Live fan (wonder how he's doing in wake of the soap opera's demise), The Santaland Diaries opens Saturday night, November 19 at the Andrew Johnson Theatre at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and runs through December 3.

Opening on one of the busiest theater weekends of the year, Crumpet does battle with a plethora of other shows (some holiday-themed, some not) to find its audience and to kick off Tennessee Rep's 2011 Holiday Season in festive style. Coming up on Tennessee Rep's calendar are the third annual presentation of A Christmas Story (adapted by Phillip Grecian from the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark), starring David Compton, Jamie Farmer, Eric D. Pasto-Crosby, David Wilkerson, Andy Kanies and Peter Vann and running December 8-22.

David Alford returns to Tennessee Rep's stage for Christmas Down Home, described as "a warm-hearted evening of holiday song and story, with a very special centerpiece: Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory," as told by Alford with accompaniment from the acclaimed Paul Carrol Binkley. It plays December 11, 12 and 18.

But first up is Chiorini's much-anticipated return as Crumpet in The Santaland Diaries. Tennessee Rep's P.R. maven Pat Patrick found some time amid the holiday hustle and bustle at Rep offices to explain why audiences need to make reservations for the show and to include Tennessee Rep's holiday season offerings on their busy schedules...

Why should people come see The Santaland Diaries?

The Santaland Diaries is a hilarious and irreverent look at the holiday season by David Sedaris. Sedaris shares from his real-life experience as a Macy's elf an antidote for holiday sentimentality while also giving us an acerbic look at the things we do during the holiday season.

Who's in your show?

Matt Chiorini returns to don the ears of the elf.

What should audiences look for when they see The Santaland Diaries? What sets it apart from all the others opening this weekend?

Matt Chiorini is a master of involving the audience.  You never know what hilarious surprises await you!  Be forewarned:  arrive on time or Crumpet the Elf may make you a part of the show!

How did The Santaland Diaries make it onto your season calendar? How do you pick shows you do?

The Santaland Diaries is one of Tennessee Rep's most-requested shows. Not a year goes by when patrons do not ask for it, so it is back by popular demand! In selecting our holiday shows (along with The Santaland Diaries, Tennessee Rep will share A Christmas Story and David Alford's Christmas Down Home with audiences this holiday season), we wanted to offer a buffet of choices, if you will. The trio offers holiday laughs and touching moments in their own unique and special ways...and are all frequently requested by patrons. Our goal was to offer something for everyone - whether naughty or nice - this holiday season.

Why should someone make theater a part of their holiday traditions?

Tennessee Rep offers something for everyone this holiday season. From the "rebel without a Claus" that is Crumpet the elf in The Santaland Diaries to Ralphie's quest for "the legendary official Red Ryder 200 shot range model air rifle" in A Christmas Story to David Alford moving rendition of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" inChristmas Down Home, there is truly something for every palate.  We hope Nashvillians will make one, two, or all three a part of their holiday plans this season.

Are you offering season tickets for what lies ahead (they make great gifts, after all)? And how can they be purchased?

Pro-rated season tickets are available now and include Tony winner God of Carnage, staff favorite Superior Donuts, and the cult classic musical Little Shop of Horrors. (Holiday shows are not included in the subscription package but can be added to it.) In addition to those three shows, a pro-rated subscription to Tennessee Rep includes free admission to the REPaloud reading of 2010 Tony winner Red by John Logan in February and free admission to the Ingram New Works Festival in June. 

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