About 10 years ago, I was a struggling actor living in NYC and as I hit the pavement from one casting director after another, with a goal to get a walk on role in a Soap, but I was turned down. It was hard to succeed in a pool of actors all wanting to a get a big break. To make ends meat, I worked 3 jobs and 2 out of 3 was for low minimum wage. One of those jobs was the Original Macy's store, not in any glamorous department but the COAT Dept!
So I can relate to writer/actor David Sedaris's 1992 essay, "Santa Land Diaries", who wrote the piece as a true and humorous account of his stint working as a Christmas elf in "SantaLand" at Macy's department store. Sedaris launched his career as a humorist with his 1992 reading of the essay on National Public Radio; since then, it has been adapted and performed by theatres and playhouses across the United States, including the Seattle Public Theater.
Patrick Lennon as David, wants to get a acting role on a soap, but is cast as an elf at Macys. In the current stereotypes of a white Santa, David brings out the Racism of parents wanting a white, black or latin Santa.
The Play, thanks to Lennon's take on the role was performed with humor and camp. I really believed he could be Sedaris.
Santa Land Diaries continues at the Seattle Public Theater Through December 24th. For Tix click Here.
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