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I was finally able to catch Jon Putnam in David Sedaris's "The Santaland Diaries" and discovered it to be a terrific piece for the actor in question. The tone suited Putnam's sense of humor and he seemed at home in the now-familiar production.
As a huge fan of David Sedaris I was disapointed in the adaptation from book to stage. There was more stress on David's lifestyle choice than his amazing gift of writing sarcasm and wit. So he's gay...that's not the focal point of his writing and it was irritating to have it be such a big part of the play. It was okay. On a side note the company that put the play on did a very good job. Set, costumes, and actors all very good and enjoyable. If you've not read the book or listened to the audio you will probably enjoy yourself immensely
The Santaland Diaries was okay. Hennepin Stages was by far and away the worst venue I have ever visited. About 150-200 people cramped into a small room without ventilation...great idea.
I thought the actor did his best Dec 23rd, but the comedy I expected was seriously lacking. The last 1/3 of the play should have been the begining...as far as jokes, audience acceptance and so on... This should have been adapted for Columbus....we have macys...so who cares about the lex ave address
I have the audio book from which the monologue was adopted by David Sedaris so I was eager to see the production. I have seen high school productions with better acting. The actor seemed to always be searching for his next line and mark. He seemed not to be well rehearsed and over all I was very disappointed. I love the venue and will most likely attend more productions there as I have seen other better pieces there.
My friend and I enjoyed the SantaLand Diaries. However, it wasn't as funny as I had expected and a little slow in spots.
Both my son and I enjoy the writings of David Sedaris and thought this would be a good holiday show for us....and it was. We enjoyed the performance and the length was just right.
We made the mistake of taking another couple. It looked like a fun, comedic event. We all would have left mid performance if there had been a door nearby. I don't blame the actor, it is just a dumb script. We said later, that we didn't find one thing to have a good laugh at. A real bummer!
Although the lead (and only) actor did an admirable job, I couldn't help but wish the whole time that we were curled up on our cozy couch, gazing at the Christmas Tree, listening to David Sedaris read his book on CD as only he can.
Cute and clever and we chuckled several times. The actor who plays Crumpet the Elf does a fantastic job. However, this one man, one act performance isn't at the $25 per ticket level - more like $10 or $15. If you haven't been to A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol yet, that is where you should spend your money.
The Santaland Diairies is one of those stories/essays/whatever that I look forward to hearing somewhere on NPR each December. No matter how many times I hear David Sedaris read it, I still laugh out loud. Unfortunately, without Sedaris's unique delivery, it falls flat. Joe Leary just couldn't carry it. David Sedaris could have sat on a stool on an empty stage and been funnier than this production. Sorry, can't recommend it.
We enjoyed this production very much. Joe Leary was engaging and presented what we would imagine would be the tone and attitude of someone who was not really elf material. The sets the elf costume were both well done. We would recommend this for an inexpensive, enjoyable, low key night out.
Some friends and I went to see Santaland Diaries at Hennepin Stages this past Saturday, and we really enjoyed it. It was a fun break to see a Christmas show with a little bit of bite and feistiness, rather than the traditional sugary sentimentality. Joe (who's last name I can't remember) did a lovely job with the character, waltzing joyfully from scene to scene and moment to moment. He did a nice job balancing the insight and snark and sweetness so that the piece was never overwhelmingly sweet or sour. The only criticism I have is with the technical transitions between the vignettes. I would have liked to have seen the sound and lighting used to help separate the moments more clearly. Overall, though, it is a really fun show that I would definitely recommend for a festive night out with a group of friends or co-workers!
Frank Theatre’s production of The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, adapted by Joe Mantello, directed by Wendy Know, and performed by Joe Leary is NOT your mama’s kind of Christmas story. It is a laugh-packed 70+ minutes of storytelling by “Crumpet,” one of Santa’s (an anagram of Satan) elves at Macy’s (The Mother Ship Store) in New York City. Leary, who we have all seen on many other Twin Cities stages from CTC to the History Theater, moves flawlessly through stories and character voices. His send-up of Billie Holiday is amazing (as is Mr.Sedaris’s). The set, designed by Steve Rohde is a lovely cotton-candy confection of Santaland complete with Santa’s throne and twinkling snowflakes. Mr. Leary first appears in casual Friday wear (blue button-down, khaki pants, loafers) and transforms before our eyes into Crumpet in candy-cane leggings, velvet jacket, a jaunty pointed cap, and elfin shoes. Brava to Kathy Kohl, the costume designer!
the scenery was great, so I thought good start. we expected it too be far more entertaining then it was. I would have rather taken our guests to see A don't hug me christmas evethough I have already seen that twice. Boring , ...... more interaction or crowd involvement may a sing along would help. Laughter from the crowd seemed forced. comments after the show from others were not good. liven it up !
This production was delightful. The actor really delivered and even if you read the Diaries, you will still enjoy! Humorous!
The actor was uncomfortable with the material and made us all uncomfortable with it too. The ending became cynical and not as layed as Sederis intended. In fact, all of David's coloring was leeched and the work was vapid.
For those of us who don't celebrate Christmas, it's still nice to get in the spirit. This wonderful one man show by David Sedaris and starring Joe Leary appeals to both the slightly cynical and the slightly sentimental aspects of the holiday season. Joe is absolutely terrific, so don't miss this.
David Sadaris material was great, however, the actor should have been gay, or behaving as though he were. He was way too boring, with no flair, no raucous humor, which the monologue called for. It was flat.
