The Santaland Diaries is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

About "The Santaland Diaries"

Leave the kids at home for this hilariously irreverent holiday show. It’s David Sedaris’ side-splitting send-up of Christmas and his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. The Santaland Diaries skewers everything we love (and secretly loathe) about the holidays. Based on the true chronicles of writer and commentator David Sedaris' experience working as a Christmas elf in a Macy's department store in New York City, The Santaland Diaries riffs on a few of Sedaris' truly odd encounters with his fellow man during the height of the holiday crunch. The tales helped launch the career of Sedaris, when he performed excerpts from his essay, Santaland Diaries, for National Public Radio’s Morning Edition a few days before Christmas in 1992. The essay was later adapted into a one-man show by Joe Mantello and premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company in 1996. Since then, The Santaland Diaries has become a popular holiday favorite. It remains one of the most-produced holiday shows on American stages each season.

“A hilarious one-man holiday tour-de-force! Priceless observations, both outrageous and subtle. Destined to hold a place in the annals of American humor writing.” - The New York Times

Photos 

Production Photos by Joe Landry
Caption: Matt Densky in "The Santaland Diaries"

Media Alert:
David Sedaris' "The Santaland Dairies" at MTC MainStage in Norwalk

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's award-winning professional theatre company, continues its 2015/2016 season with David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries." Performances are December 11-20, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, at Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Avenue (behind Nine West) in Norwalk, CT. Tickets range from $35-$55 and are available by calling 203.454.3883 or visiting www.musictheatreofct.com

Leave the kids at home for this hilariously irreverent holiday show. It’s David Sedaris’ side-splitting send-up of Christmas and his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. "The Santaland Diaries" skewers everything we love (and secretly loathe) about the holidays. Based on the true chronicles of writer and commentator David Sedaris' experience working as a Christmas elf in a Macy's department store in New York City, The "Santaland Diaries" riffs on a few of Sedaris' truly odd encounters with his fellow man during the height of the holiday crunch. The tales helped launch the career of Sedaris, when he performed excerpts from his essay, "Santaland Diaries," for National Public Radio’s "Morning Edition" a few days before Christmas in 1992. The essay was later adapted into a one-man show by Joe Mantello and premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company in 1996. Since then, "The Santaland Diaries" has become a popular holiday favorite. It remains one of the most-produced holiday shows on American stages each season.

"The Santaland Diaries" stars Matt Densky, a native of Monroe, CT, who is making his MTC debut. Densky has appeared as Young Max in both the Madison Square Garden and National Touring productions of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" and appears on the show’s cast recording. Regional credits include Flotsam/Scuttle in the US Regional Premiere of "The Little Mermaid," Doody in "Grease," Mark in "Altar Boyz," Puck in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," Woof in "Hair," Emcee in "Cabaret" and Mozart in "Amadeus." He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and currently resides in New York City.

"The Santaland Diaries" is directed by MTC co-founder and Executive Artistic Director Kevin Connors. The design team includes set design by Carl Tallent, lighting by Joshua Scherr and costumes by Diane Vanderkroef. The production is stage managed by Jim Schilling. As a work of satire, "The Santland Diaries" contains material that might be objectionable to some audiences and is recommended for ages 16 and up.

MTC MainStage’s production of "The Santaland Diaries" is generously sponsored by WSHU Public Radio, the principal source of NPR programming and classical music for southwestern Connecticut. MTC is generously supported in part by The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. "The Santaland Diaries" is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. MTC MainStage's restaurant partner, Rizzuto's Restaurant and Bar, invites MTC patrons to enjoy 20% off their entire check on the day of their performance, see ticket for details.

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Who's Who

Matt Densky (Crumpet), a native of Monroe, CT, is thrilled to be making his MTC debut! No stranger to the Herald Square Christmas rush, Matt has gone on for Young Max in both the Madison Square Garden and National Touring productions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and appears on the show’s cast recording. Favorite regional credits include Flotsam/Scuttle in the US Regional Premiere of The Little Mermaid, Doody in Grease, Mark in Altar Boyz, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Woof in Hair, Emcee in Cabaret and Mozart in Amadeus. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music, and currently resides in New York.  Thanks to Kevin, agent Cynthia Katz, and MDCFF!  Proud member of Actors Equity. MattDensky.com

Kevin Connors (Director, Executive Artistic Director & Co-Founder) Professional musical theatre composer and director for over 30 years and recipient of the Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Professional Theatre by the Connecticut Critics’ Circle, as well as a special citation from The Connecticut State Legislature and Governor Dannel Malloy. Off-Broadway credits include Prime Time Prophet, Jukebox Saturday Night, The Abandoned Loves of Frederick R., Life Anonymous, Lover:The Valentino Musical, Babes Off Broadway, Saloon and Suzy Q. Connecticut directing credits include The Fantasticks, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Babes in Toyland, Bah Humbug! (all at Stamford’s Rich Forum); Grand Re-Opening of the Palace Theatre starring Skitch Henderson, Louise Pitre, James Naughton and Joan Rivers; Baby (Polka Dot Playhouse), Christopher Columbus and Operetta in Red, White and Blue (New England Lyric Operetta). Mr. Connors began his career as a performer touring his own act with Bob Hope, Henny Youngman and Johnny Mathis, and his debut CD—The Things We Never Say—was released in October 2000. In 1987, he co-founded Music Theatre of Connecticut with Jim Schilling, and has since directed more than 30 Equity MTC MainStage productions including Next to Normal (Best Musical and Best Director Nominee), Yours, Anne (Best Musical Nominee), It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Moss Hart Award Winner), A Little Night Music, Edges, john & jen, Doubt, My Way: The Music of Frank Sinatra and The Last 5 Years; as well as writing original music and lyrics for more than 10 MTC children’s musicals. His latest work, Mothers and Sons (with playwright Joe Landry) had its critically-acclaimed World Premiere on the MTC Mainstage in January 2009 and is currently in development for Off-Broadway. He has served as Adjunct Professor of Musical Theatre at The Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford, Sacred Heart University, the University of Bridgeport, and at Musical Theatre Works in NYC. He has created many of MTC’s educational programs including the nationally-recognized College-Bound in the Performing Arts, which he now presents at theatre schools throughout the country. Kevin is a proud member of AEA, ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild. www.kevconnors.com