Comment on Theater review: R-rated 'Santaland Diaries' performed with 'considerable flair'

Theater review: R-rated 'Santaland Diaries' performed with 'considerable flair'

The setting was festive, but the attitude was jaundiced, in “The Santaland Diaries,” staged Saturday at Carpenter Square Theare, 800 W Main. The play, adapted by Joe Mantello from an essay by David Sedaris, was performed with considerable flair by C. W. Bardsher. Alone on stage as the author-surrogate, Bardsher made the tale of one man’s experience as a Macy’s elf in the Christmas rush, palpable. Bardsher took us from his character’s elf want ad interviews, through elf basic training and to his contacts with other elves, Santas, parents and children. One highlight was Bardsher taking off street clothes to reveal his ridiculous elf costume — red striped stockings, green coat, pointed hat and pointed slippers. Others came with Bardsher discussing the land’s “oh-my-God” and “vomit” corners, or mingling with spectators and delivering lines atop wrapped presents. Wildly witty, the script abounded with trenchant, darkly humorous observations, amounting almost to sick jokes, delivered by Bardsher with panache. Even an episode about a rare Santa, who genuinely wants to make kids and parents feel comfortable, only partly balanced the play’s many blackly comic barbs. It all ended with Bardsher’s elf fleeing, one step ahead of a customer, from the not so magical land of Santa, which he’d already pointed out was an anagram for Satan. Not for everyone, but drawing a warm response and some belly laughs Saturday, the R-rated play is worth attending, at least as an antidote for holiday overload. Briskly directed in under two hours (including an intermission) by Linda McDonald, with a simple but serviceable set by Ben Hall, it runs through Dec.Read more on NewsOK.com

 

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