"The Santaland Diaries": A Cynical Ode to Christmas

By Jana Pollack, New Rep Reviewer

David Sedaris' one-man play, “The Santaland Diaries,” conveys precisely what a Christmas play should. It makes hilarious fun of the ridiculous pressure that we put on ourselves to enjoy the "magic" of the holiday season, yet it ends with sincerity, affording a few brief moments in which that magic is truly felt.

The script, while very good, requires a talented comic to pull it off. Luckily, Gary Littman possesses just the right mixture of comic talent and regular guy-ness to make the his character believable, likable, and funny. On opening night, he seemed slightly nervous at the outset, but as he shed his street clothes for his elf costume, it was clear that he was easing into his comfort zone, and he was more and more fun to watch as the show went on.

The play follows the adventures of a man who is employed as a Christmas elf (elf name: Crumpet) in Macy's "Santaland." It is part self-deprecating humor, as he bemoans the fate of a thirty year old man who has not found a marketable skill, and part unabashed jokes at the expense of the people he meets in Santaland. The latter increases gradually as we approach Christmas day. The frenzy at Macy's - and Crumpet's actions toward the customers and his fellow Santaland employees - becomes more and more heated, culminating in a hilarious moment in which a customer tells Crumpet, "I'm gonna have you fired." With perfect timing, Crumpet shoots back, "I'm gonna have you killed."

This is just one example of many a not-completely-PC joke the play contains. At one point, when asked to tell a little boy that he will receive coal if he is not quiet in line while waiting for Santa, Crumpet takes it a few steps further, whispering menacingly to the child that Santa will sneak into his house and steal all his things if he doesn’t behave. Offered in a different style, much of the narrative could become crass and unappealing. But from the pen of Sedaris, and the mouth of Littman, it feels like an evening with a very funny friend.

The final vignette of the play starts off like the rest, as Crumpet begins describing yet another Santa he must work with who takes his job a bit too seriously. Ultimately, though, this last moment offers a contrast to the earlier parts of the evening, as this Santa provides each child with a real bit of happiness.

For me, this is the perfect Christmas blend: an admission of the craziness that surrounds the holidays (and a good many jokes at the holidays’ expense), coupled with recognition of the good feelings that this time of year can provide. Anyone who has gone Christmas shopping at any point in December will be able to relate to the cynicism expressed in “Santaland.” At the same, “The Santaland Diaries” will make you laugh, and it will also leave you with a good feeling about whatever celebrations you are taking part in this holiday season.

"Christmas Is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat - Review by J.K. Cosmos

Won't you please put a penny in the Old Man's Hat, If you haven't got a penny, a half a penny will do. If you haven't gotta a half a penny, God Bless You!"
Review of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" - By J.K. Cosmos

The chorus of Christmas Carols and the themed dress of the Actors began before the audience even got to their seats. Bravo! The tone is set. The historically correct costumes, and then arriving in the theater, seeing the stage so well set was the beginning of a Christmas treat!

Dicken's play is a classic and, for many, a tradition. The production of this well-loved play is a challenge; the challenge being keeping it fresh and new. Keeping it interesting! This production conveyed the plot, engaged the audience and was entertaining, to boot!

The old Dodger, yes, Scrooge, had a great presence and Paul D. Farwell, who played the lead, did so without over-shadowing the others. His rendition of Scrooge was on the money. Farwell had the modulated voice, the accent and the energy to bring the audience in; to keep us there with him through the mundane at his office and the magical with the spirits. He was fun and really gave a great performance.

Edward M. Barker, playing Bob Cratchit, also enlightened the audience. How so? Well, his presentation showed love of family, his wife and others in the community in a most endearing and sweet way. His interpretation of Cratchit was one of a man with some sense of self; his identity was less pathetic than is sometimes portrayed in films. I thought his rendition of Cratchit was very effective.

The Actors in supporting roles, belted it out. The dialogue was true to the plot, to the story-line and to the essence of what makes Dickens a master dramatist.

Kudos to the Director, Bridget Kathleen O'Leary! Her vision and tweaking of this classic made it a not to miss play for the season.

Not to miss a beat, the setting and costumes of the spirits and the magic is just phenomenal! Congrats to Peter Colao and Christine Alger; Scenic & Costume design respectively. This Team effort brings an exceptional play to the New Rep!

Bravo & A Standing 'O'.

"A Christmas Carol" Provides Seasonal Cheer

By Jana Pollack, New Rep Reviewer

I have to start by admitting that, when it comes to holiday theater, I’m a bit of a scrooge myself. It’s not that I don’t get that fuzzy holiday feeling at this time of year – I can’t deny that I love the lights and the feeling of togetherness. However, I’ve never been big on Christmas plays. That being said, even I can’t deny that I did enjoy New Rep’s production of “Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.”

For those who do enjoy holiday theatre – and judging by the crowds these kinds of shows draw, that seems to be most people – this show hits the mark. It has carols, snow, good morals and plenty of cheer. It helps that New Rep has a fine cast and many adorable, talented children to tell the story.

Returning to the role of Scrooge for the fifth time, Paul D Farwell is a great deal of fun to watch. His transition from a selfish grump to a kind, giving man is believable and touching. Edward M Barker is also particularly good in the role of Cratchet - his scenes seem to sparkle, and are the most enjoyable in the production. The whole cast did an admirable job of bringing out both the morality and the humor in the tale, and there were quite a few funny moments. Although some scenes dragged (and the script could benefit from some cutting), by the final scene each emotional note had been hit with precision, achieving the intended outcome of good-hearted faith in humanity.

If you love Christmas and Christmas cheer, this is the play for you, and New Rep is the place to see it. As for me, I’m not a total convert, but I have to admit that Tiny Tim was pretty damn cute. Happy Holidays to all!

"A Christmas Carol": Bar Humbug!

By Jack Craib, New Rep Reviewer

So there’s this old miser named Scrooge, and three Christmas ghosts, who walk into a bar….oh, you’ve heard this one before. Well, if you (and the immediate world) are familiar with the story, anyone who attempts to revisit the hallowed halls of this ultimate Dickensian holiday tale had best have a novel and engaging approach to such material. In the past the parable has featured the likes of Alastair Sim (still the benchmark in this reviewer‘s experience), Jim Carrey, Albert Finney, Kelsey Grammer and Scrooge McDuck. Happily, the New Rep found just such a way to revitalize the source material.

Several years ago, former New Rep Artistic Director Rick Lombardo wrote an adaptation that managed to stay faithful to the original while discovering hidden depths of meaning and emotion. Lombardo’s successor, Kate Warner, has wisely chosen to continue this tradition and placed it in the very competent hands of director Bridget Kathleen O’Leary. O’Leary, in turn, has entrusted the title role into the capable hands of Paul D. Farwell, who is no stranger to the part, having played it at New Rep now for five seasons. He brings a great deal of much-appreciated comic elements without making Scrooge seem like a buffoon. It’s a risk, but it pays off handsomely.

The current production, evoking in numerous ways a truly Victorian Christmas, features the talents of some fine New Rep veterans as well as some extremely promising newcomers from Watertown Children‘s Theater. In the former category, Peter Edmund Haydu, Brooke Hardman and William Gardiner, all in multiple roles, are among the standouts. In the latter group, attention must be paid to the heartrending performance of Ella Miller as Tiny Tim (though the part as expanded by Lombardo skirts perilously close to overcooked melodrama more than once), and the incredibly mature stage presence of Tim Traversy as Peter Cratchit, whose confidence belies his young age. That said, the company actually works best as a company, when they become a true ensemble of actors, singers, and instrumentalists.

Yes, you read that right. Not only do these performers provide the level of acting and singing credibility one has come to expect from New Rep, but they are also extraordinarily proficient at accompanying the festivities on piano and organ (Patrick Ryan), guitar (Haydu), and over a dozen other instruments. As in the recent creations by John Doyle, in London and Broadway, of “Company” and “Sweeney Todd”, most of the principals demonstrate this impressive ability to multi-task. Add to this the versatile and imaginative set, period-perfect costumes, and original special effects, and one can easily enjoy the time spent with these very talented folks. (The sound balance needs work, though).

This current “Carol” is above all dependably family-friendly (though, as in most productions, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come may be a bit too dark for the youngest theatergoers). Nephew Fred may have gone up on a couple of lines, Martha Cratchit may have been unable to extinguish a recalcitrant candle, and Scrooge’s bed may have refused to cooperate at one spot. The scene where Scrooge’s possessions are divided up goes on much too long. By and large, however, this production works. And that’s no humbug.

New Rep's Take on A Christmas Carol

by Frank Furnari

New Rep Reviewer

Upon entering the Arsenal Center for the Arts, I was greeted by several cast members singing Christmas carols. After several carols, we were beckoned to join them in the theater. After the audience was settled, the cast marched into the theater, still caroling and began the show on a lovely note.

Music, mostly in the form of Christmas carols and a couple original songs, features prominently in this production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by former New Rep Artistic Director Rick Lombardo, but this is not a musical. Music appears many times within a scene, in between scenes, and as underscoring, although sometimes it was difficult to hear the actors over it. The music served more to set the tone rather than to further the story. The piece felt like several clips interspersed between narration and singing. This format did not draw me into the story and some of the elements such as the lost souls flying about and the ghost of Christmas future seemed almost ridiculous and made me want to laugh. I believe, however, that this could be an entertaining evening for families with kids.

The A-frame set served as a great backdrop with different elements coming on stage to create the various locations. Of special note is the set of Scrooge’s house where the ghost of Jacob Marley makes a grand entrance. Scrooge, played by Paul D. Farwell, has the right mix of humbug turned to joy and portrays a convincing Scrooge. He has played Scrooge at New Rep for several years and you may remember him when he appeared earlier this season in New Rep’s production of Mr. Roberts as The Captain. The entire ensemble is strong and each is a good singer, making the carols enjoyable. In the final scene when Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning and begins spreading Christmas cheer, I found myself finally getting drawn into the story as it is hard not to at that moment to feel the holiday cheer that this story tries to convey. I only wish that the story drew me in sooner.

Bank of America Sponsors A Student Matinee

Today, Bank of America sponsored a student matinee of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Over 200 third, fourth, and fifth graders from the David A. Ellis School in Roxbury and the John F. Kennedy School in Jamaica Plain attended the performance. After the performance, the students had the opportunity to mix and mingle with the cast while making festive gingerbread treats.

This annual event, now in its fifth year, targets students from low-to-moderate income families and allows them to experience live theater, often for the first time. Numerous studies have shown that children who are exposed to the arts tend to perform better in school and in life. Bank of America recognizes the vital role that arts and cultural organizations play in stimulating students and their communities, and is proud of its longstanding commitment to New Repertory Theatre.

Caroling at The Mall at Chestnut Hill

This Sunday at 12:00 pm the cast of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will be caroling at The Mall at Chestnut Hill by Guest Services on the first floor. If you are in the area please drop by and say hello!

Are you planning on attending a performance of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? The cast will be caroling in the lobby 30 minutes before the show, so make plans to get there early!

Photo Credit: Ella Miller and Edward M. Barker in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Photo by Hannah McClure