Review: “The SantaLand Diaries”

(Courtesy Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company)

“The SantaLand Diaries” being presented at The Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder, tell David Sedaris’ true story of working as one of Santa’s elves at Macy’s in New York City.

Starring in this one-man show is Geoffrey Kent, a local actor who has also starred in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” (abridged) at the annual Colorado Shakespeare Festival in Boulder.

Lorraine Larocque, 30, said that Kent is an excellent actor and presents great energy in a unique playwright.

“It was hilarious. I think Geoffrey Kent is phenomenal—he’s a comedic genius,” Larocque said.

The play gives a refreshing twist on Christmas and presents a cynical perspective on the materialism and consumerism of the holidays. Kent makes fun of everything from the magical tree at Macy’s to the drunk Santas, all with comedic perfection.

Jamie Ann Romero, a 24-year old local actress, said the play had unique qualities.

“I think it was a wonderful production,” Romero said. “It’s a good answer to the holidays.”

The play presents a Scrooge-like outlook on Christmas that contains overly-excited and disingenuous elves forced to work in SantaLand. “The SantaLand Diaries” takes all of the kind-hearted sentiments and feel-good emotions out of the holidays, only to replace them with comedic interpretations of the chaos and wickedness of the holidays.

Elizabeth Pavelich, a 19-year old junior accounting major, said the play was something funny and original, not a conventional Christmas story.

“It was unlike any other holiday show I’ve seen,” Pavelich said. “It was hysterical and completely unconventional.”

“The SantaLand Diaries” runs through Dec. 20 at the Dairy Center for the Arts and more information can be found at the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company Web site.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lauren Knobbe at Lauren.knobbe@colorado.edu.