Review: 'The Santaland Diaries' at The Shubert Theatre

“I had two people say that to me today: I'm going to have you fired. Go ahead, be my guest. I'm wearing a green velvet costume. It doesn't get any worse than this.” - Crumpet in ‘The Santaland Diaries’

New Haven, CT - ‘The Santaland Diaries’ by David Sedaris and adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello opened at the XFINITY Lounge at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven last night. It features the amazing talent of Ian Galligan in the role of the jaded Santaland elf at Macy’s in NYC. The show continues on the snug black box stage at the Shubert through Nov. 27, but then will go out on a mini-tour of Connecticut through Dec. 11.

Because I was familiar with the press photos of the character of Crumpet catching him in some less-than-traditional elflike behavior, I thought that this piece would be funny but perhaps a bit dark. What I discovered was that these diaries chronicle the very comical experience of an out-of-work actor working with various department store Santas and the customers who wait in hour-long lines for a chance to sit on his fabled lap. It is a very funny countdown to Christmas seen through Crumpet’s jaded eyes that is both witty and endearing.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE

The show is recommended for “mature elves only” (ages 14 and up) due to strong language and references. The XFINITY Lounge at the Shubert Theatre is located at 247 College Street in New Haven. Crumpet then moves to Collinsville at the Farmington Valley Stage Company, 4 Market Street for Dec. 2 - 4. Then he returns to his Castle Craig home in Meriden Dec. 8 - 11. I highly recommend catching a performance at one of the upcoming venues for a night a laughs that will put you in the Christmas spirit.

Photos courtesy of Ian Galligan