Brianna Reeves
breeves3@uwyo.edu
Holiday humor is returning to Laramie in “The SantaLand Diaries,” an upcoming production by Relative Theatrics featuring local actor Ryan Archibald.
“The SantaLand Diaries” tells the story of an unemployed actor in New York City who finds a job working at Macy’s as a Christmas Elf. It was originally written as a short story by David Sedaris, and has since been adapted into a stage production.
“David Sedaris is well known for this story due to his relationship with NPR’s ‘This American Life.’ ‘The SantaLand Diaries’ was initially a short story, but after the real-life narrative gained popularity Sedaris partnered with Playwright/Actor/Director Joe Mantello to adapt the piece for the stage,” Anne Mason, director, said. “‘The SantaLand Diaries’ is a well-loved Christmas satire and the stage adaptation gives the piece a new, fresh way to be digested and appreciated.”
Lead actor, Archibald has fond memories of listening to “The SantaLand Diaries” as a child.
“‘The SantaLand Diaries’ has been a part of my life for almost as long as I can remember, now I get to share a story that is close to me and my family,” Archibald said. “Getting together with a group of people on a cold winter night, telling a holiday tale and laughing together is my favorite part. It’s tradition.”
Avid theater goers may also be familiar with “The SantaLand Diaries.” The show was performed last year by Relative Theatrics and was wildly popular. This success has inspired the crew to revive the show.
“The rehearsal process for a revival is a bit different from the usual ‘discovery’ process but it’s no less an effort,” James Hockenberry, stage manager, said.
The group has been rehearsing together for several months to explore the content of the production more deeply and to improve even further upon the original performance.
One thing that is unique about “The SantaLand Diaries” is that the cast consists of only one actor. This necessitates a strong audience connection throughout the show.
“That can be more fulfilling, entertaining and ethereal for the actor and audience. It really is a great shared experience,” Archibald said. “It’s mostly strange acting, like there are people sitting in the audience during rehearsals. It all comes together when the audience joins and brings life.”
Though not your typical holiday tale, “The SantaLand Diaries” contains both humorous and heart-warming moments.
“Holiday programming can often be a difficult task for theatre companies like Relative Theatrics that strive to present deep, thought-provoking work,” Mason said. “Problems and issues in our world and society can’t always be wrapped up magically, but the majority of Christmas plays will do that. ‘The SantaLand Diaries’ is a great solution to that dilemma because it plays into the holiday season, while still exposing the truth that lies beneath the festive facade in an uproariously comedic manner.”
Archibald said he also finds the show to be entertaining and thought-provoking.
“Relative Theatrics is about producing risky and relevant theatre. Even though this play was published in 1996, the commentary on society is still very relevant,” Archibald said. “The vision David Sedaris paints is of a country still very obsessed with material possession, celebrity gossip and forcing the world to bend to their individual will, regardless of the cost.”
“The SantaLand Diaries” opens at the Laramie Plains Civic Center Gryphon Theatre Dec. 7, and will close Dec. 10. All performances are at 7:30 p.m.
Mason said she believes this is the perfect show for UW students.
“Whether you are familiar with David Sedaris or not, ‘The SantaLand Diaries’ is a hilarious expose into consumer Christmas that has you laughing for an hour straight. What better way to shake off the stress of finals and transition into the holiday season?”
