17-23 MUSIC
artsysmartsy|
15 FILM
10-13 ART 8-9 THEATRE
by Shea Carver es Santaland Diari 1 N. Front St # 50 21 • City Stage . m p. 8 , -4 & 9-11 11/25-27, 12/2 4 Tickets: $12-$1 nc.com ge ta ys http://cit
twisted prism:
‘Santaland Diaries’ returns with Zach Hanner at its helm
I
f davId sedarIs’ acerbIc protagonIst had
a Christmas list, Zach Hanner is sure it would include improved employment. And a saucy something something, too. “I think the number one item on Crumpet’s list is a better job—maybe a date with the flirtatious Snowball!” Hanner, who plays the elf in City Stage’s upcoming run of “Santaland Diaries,” says. “Working at Macy’s during Christmas might be OK for a few weeks, but just imagine if you had to do it all the time! So, yeah: a new, better job. Probably a bottle of booze. Being an elf is a tough gig, y’know?” David Sedaris read his essay on NPR during the Christmas season in 1992. Rightfully, its firstperson account brings to humorous light the horrendously overcapitalized holiday season as seen from a someone working as an elf in Macy’s flagship store. “I found [Sedaris’] humor quirky and eminently entertaining,” Hanner remembers of first hearing “Santaland Diaries.” “I loved the fact that he was a Northerner displaced in the South, and [how] that experience informed his humor. I think anyone who has found themselves frustrated and annoyed by the commercialism that has overtaken the Christmas holiday can relate to this show. I certainly did.” It wasn’t until 1996 the essay took over the stage, thanks to Joe Mantello who adapted it for the Atlantic Theater Company in New York. For many years now, Wilmington’s very own City Stage has brought the monologue to life every holiday season, with revolving leaders putting on the pointy toed shoes and hat. It was Michael Granberry’s inaugural perfor8 encore | november 23-29, 2011 | www.encorepub.com
Zach Hanner as Crumpet, with Chiaki Ito, Katherine Vernon and Katherine Rudeseal as the Ho Ho Hos. Courtesy photo.
mance that impacted Hanner. “Michael and I had worked together on a number of shows,” Hanner says. “I loved the energy he brought to Crumpet. In fact, Michael’s and Sedaris’ sense of humor were very similar. He set the bar really high for all the Crumpets that followed.” And many have: Steve Vernon, Justin Smith, Jason Hatfield and Cullen Moss, all but name a few. Each have brought their own interpretation to light, whether in the break room of Macy’s, a rundown apartment or even in an alleyway; the setting changes each year. Since coming off of their puppet-hit “Avenue Q,” City Stage’s brownstone settings along a New York street make a perfect, eco-friendly transition into the holiday routine. “With just a few minor tweaks, we’ve been able to recycle the set, and it should work perfectly for our purposes,” Hanner says. Though the local actor has nailed Hank Williams in “Lost Highway” in years past, and is beckoning the Frank Booth in the 2012 slated production of “Blue Velvet: The Musical,” this will be his first time taking on the sardonic cartoon-dressed Crumpet. He takes to the fact he relates to the elf’s plight and especially his outlook in overcoming his current slate in life. “He views life, as well as his time in Santaland, through a twisted prism of sorts,” Hanner expresses. “The best part is that he’s not afraid to break politically correct barriers. Sedaris’ probably couldn’t get the show published today as a new, young writer due to the fact that it breaks a number of taboos. But that is an inherent part of his charm.” Oppositely so, Crumpet is also quite loquacious.
Though the show is almost an hour, it’s a feat for any actor to overcome, seeing as all lines—every, single last one—fall from his lips. He must carry the show and its underlying, clever vernacular solo. “There are 27 pages to memorize,” Hanner says, “which is a pretty heady undertaking even for an experienced actor. Fortunately, once you have show memorized, being funny simply comes natural due to the content.” Hanner will be relieved only by the angelically devilish Ho Ho Hos, which have become as much a part of City Stage’s rendition of “Santaland Diaries” as Crumpet himself. Headed by Chiaki Ito, Katherine Rudeseal and Katherine Vernon, the ladies croon six or seven carols indicative of the season. Only, they bring a much welcomed twist. “Having the Ho, Ho, Hos not only breaks up the show and allows me a moment to change and grab a drink of water, but they are a force unto themselves,” Hanner explains. “Their songs are wonderful, and we do have a little bit of interaction, mostly them molesting me onstage. Eh, things could be worse than getting harassed by these three adorable ladies!” Each year brings a new flame of enlivenment to stage, as “Santaland Diaries” comes fa-la-la-ing to life, just in time for the glittery days ahead. Surprises are in store, maybe even a ukulele according to Hanner. It only makes sense, as this year’s Crumpet also happens to be a musician for The Noseriders and Da Howlies. Though we won’t hear him belting out holly jollies, we can absolutely expect a few hiccups. It’s the holidays, after all. “Thanks to shows like this, my love for them has warmed again,” Hanner says.