BPA to Stage THE SANTALAND DIARIES, Begin. 12/6

Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA) presents Saul Tannenbaum's Claus for Celebration and The Santaland Diaries on December 6, 13 & 20: Fridays @ 7:30 p.m. at BPA.

Director Josh Anderson along with Emily Kight, Joanna Hardie and Christina Collins produce more Yuletide cheer than you can shake a stick at in Saul Tannenbaum's Claus for Celebration. Join Saul, the lovely Jingle Belles, and special guest Miss Mona von Horne, the Belle of Berlin in Act I. Filled with spectacular songs, jolly jokes, and more, Saul Tannenbaum's Claus for Celebration will delight you, excite you, and re- ignite you with a love for the holidays.

In ACT II, The Santaland Diaries features Tim Davidson under the direction of Ken Michels. Based on the outlandish, and true chronicles of David Sedaris' experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy's Santaland display, this hilarious cult classic features comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch.

At first the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa's workshop, Crumpet 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.

NPR humorist and best-selling author of When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, David Sedaris has become one of America's pre-eminent humor writers.

It's the perfect adult-night out for the holidays! Saul Tannenbaum's Claus for Celebration and The Santaland Diaries appear at BPA December 6, 13, and 20, with shows Fridays at 7:30 p.m. The Opening Night Reception is Friday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, $27 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $19 for students, military, and teachers, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569 or in person at BPA, 200 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island. BPA Box Office hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.

Bainbridge Performing Arts extends special thanks to our Corporate Sponsor - The Maggi Rogers Fund and Media Sponsor - KUOW 94.9 FM Public Radio. BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation and One Call for All.

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