"Censoplano's perfectly cast" Broadwayworld.com CLICK HERE to read the full review!
When it was first broadcast on National Public Radio, The SantaLand Diaries generated more requests for tapes than any story in This American Life’s history except the death of Red Barber. Timothy Olyphant brought the story to life on stage off-Broadway, and now Patrick Censoplano once again dons the candy-cane tights for a Santa Monica Playhouse holiday celebration in this outrageously funny one-man play from NPR’s well-loved humorist David Sedaris about the author’s experiences as an unemployed writer taking a job as an elf at Macy’s department store in New York City, taking a wry look at how the holiday season brings out the best – and the worst – in us all.
"A delightfully thorny account of working as a Yuletide elf at Macy's. Priceless observations, both outrageous and subtle. Destined to hold a place in the annals of American humor writing." NY Times
SantaLand features Patrick Censoplano and is helmed by Playhouse Artistic Director Chris DeCarlo, with appropriately cheerful holiday costumes by award-winning designer Ashley Hayes, outrageous yuletide set by James Cooper and sound design by The Attic Room. George J Vennes III does double duty as Technical Director and Production Stage Manager.
"A sardonic, merrily subversive tale—just the antidote to bright-eyed joy before too many shopping days have passed. Worth more than a photo album full of Santas!" NY Newsday
"A satirical brazenness that holds up next to Twain and Nathanael West." The New Yorker
David Sedaris is an American humorist, comedian, author, and radio contributor. He was publicly recognized in 1992 when National Public Radio broadcast his essay "SantaLand Diaries.” He published his first collection of essays and short stories, Barrel Fever, in 1994. His next five essay collections, Naked, Holidays on Ice, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames, became New York Times Best Sellers. As of 2015, his books have sold ten million copies. Much of Sedaris' humor is ostensibly autobiographical and self-deprecating, and often concerns his family life, his middle-class upbringing in the suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina and his Greek heritage.
Patrick Censoplano began performing at a young age in any available venue, from professional theater, to puppet shows in the living room. He later attended the Virginia Governor's School for Performing Arts, earned a degree in Theater from The College of William & Mary, has studied acting across the globe, and continues to train in international techniques, along with improv, sketch comedy and writing here in Los Angeles. Notable television and film credits include Grey's Anatomy (co-star), Fame (principal), and Gettin' It (starring). Patrick made his Playhouse debut in the multi-faced (and faceted) role of Brandon/Gandor/Grandalf in Adults, Keep Out! during which he sang a riotous duet with himself. Since then he has appeared in Lisa Phillips Visca's Climax (Jesse) and Turning Thirty (Nathan); the Rudie/DeCarlo musicals Beauty & the Beast (Beast) and Drempels (The Hand); as well as the titular characters in all-male productions of Cinderella, Dorothy's Adventures in Oz and Beauty and the Beast.
Veteran director Chris DeCarlo has been acting, writing and directing in Los Angeles for more than 40 years, bringing to the stage over 250 World Premieres and American Premieres, including the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Dostoevsky’s Notes From Underground, Hard Laughs starring Sammy Shore and Ron Palillo, Michel Garneau’s Quatre á Quatre, Stephen King and Robert B. Parker’s RAGE, Brenda Krantz’s Lovely!, starring Louise Sorrell, the Ovation-nominated Picon Pie, Todd Susman’s Locked and Loaded, the long-running Wyse-Rae-Waldman hit musical Funny, You Don’t Look Like a Grandmother.
November 30 to December 20, 2019
Friday & Saturday at 8:00pm • Sunday at 3:00pm
Friday & Saturday at 8:00pm • Sunday at 3:00pm
General Admission: $29.50
Toast the holidays with a pre-show glass of champagne or non-alcoholic eggnog, included in your ticket price!
Discounts available for Students, Teachers, Seniors, & Members of the Military • Great group rates available for 8 or more - call us today!
Toast the holidays with a pre-show glass of champagne or non-alcoholic eggnog, included in your ticket price!
Discounts available for Students, Teachers, Seniors, & Members of the Military • Great group rates available for 8 or more - call us today!
The SantaLand Diaries” is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York
Santa Monica Playhouse Reserves the Right to Cancel or Reschedule Performances Without Prior Notice. Please Call to Confirm Show Dates and Times.