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celebrate the season
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The Santaland Diaries
Asheville’s non-traditional tradition returns to Asheville Community Theatre!
BY JENNY
BUNN
This year’s production of The Santaland Diaries once again stars local favorite Bradshaw Call, who stepped into the candy-cane striped stockings for the first time in 2013. The show will be presented in its original Asheville location, the intimate 35below theatre. The Santaland Diaries is a dark comedy that follows an out-of-work slacker who takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland. His observations of the shoppers and employees are Bravely observant and bitterly sarcastic. much more naughty than nice. In Asheville, the play has transformed from a quirky ticket to a bona fide holiday available online, over the phone, or in person tradition – and last year’s performances were at the Asheville Community Theatre Box Ofcompletely sold out. Continuing the tradition, fice. All tickets are $15. director Betsy Puckett reunites with star BradBradshaw Call is fresh off his stint as Dr. shaw Call for the third time in as many years. Frank-N-Furter in last month’s The Rocky “Much like last year, we’ve decided to Horror Show. Bradshaw’s local credits also keep the setting and theatrical accouterments include The Addams Family, Spamalot, Live simple so as to really highlight the story,” said From WVL Radio Theatre: It’s a Wonderful Puckett. “Sedaris has such a brilliant sarcastic Life, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spellwit that it’s easy to forget the story happened ing Bee, Greater Tuna, and Guys and Dolls. to a real person during a difficult time in their For more information about The Santaland life. I think that is why The Santaland Diaries Diaries or about Asheville Community Theatre, has been so universally successful. please visit www.ashevilletheatre.org. “Everyone knows what it’s like to feel down and downright hateful during what is supposed to be the most magical time of year, IF but few of us are brave enough to admit it and YOU The Santaland Diaries, December then dare to make light of the glorious awful GO 10-19, 2015. Performances Thursday that can preside over much of the festivities. evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and How lucky we are that David Sedaris is one of Saturday evenings at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. the bravely observant and is bitterly, sarcastiTickets: $15. Asheville Community Theatre Box Office, 35 East Walnut Street, downtown cally honest about it all.” Asheville. To purchase tickets, or for more The Santaland Diaries opens Thursday, information, please call (828) 254-1320 or visit December 10 and runs through Saturday, Dewww.ashevilletheatre.org cember 19, 2015. Tickets are limited, and are
Uniqueness Unwrapped
ROBERTO VENGOECHEA 100 Cherry Street • Black Mountain, NC 28711 828.669.0065 VisionsofCreation.com
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10 Things to Do Over the Holidays
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For locals and tourists alike, Asheville is a wonderful place to spend the holidays!
2. Tour studios in the River Arts District 3. Christmas at the Biltmore 4. LaZoom Bus Tours
5. Gingerbread display at the The Wall Street Journal Omni Grove Park Inn called Asheville “One of America’s oldest holiday towns.” 6. Thomas Wolfe Memorial There are always fun things to Jingle Bell Trolley Rides on 7. Winter Lights at the NC do and great places to see. The the Craggy Mountain Line. Arboretum following list is really just the tip of the iceberg. Check out our local stores, 8. ACDT’s Nutcracker & the Mouse King eateries and breweries that have come to make 9. Asheville Downtown Gallery Art Walk Asheville such a fantastic place. 10. Craggy Mountain Line Train Rides 1. Performances at NC Stage and Asheville Community Theatre
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Vol. 19, No. 4 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — December 2015 9