“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Right? Well, mostly anyway. There’s definitely something magical about all the colored lights and music and memories of holidays past. But if you’re having trouble getting in a holiday mood, never fear! We’ve got you covered with holiday treats for the whole family!
Tonight is the Downtown SLO Holiday Parade so we are dark tonight. No shows. So, please don’t come downtown, fight for parking and show up only to discover that no one is here. We’ve given our cast and crew the night off and we’ll be cheering with everyone else from the sidewalks on Higuera Street. But we’ll be back tomorrow with a double feature of holiday treats!
Tomorrow night, Saturday, December 8th, is opening night of THE SANTALAND DIARIES! Kevin Harris will once again pull on his striped tights, velvet knickers and jingle bell shoes and take the stage as Crumpet the Elf. Based on David Sedaris‘s beloved humorous and autobiographical essays, The Santaland Diaries is a brilliant evocation of a slacker’s Christmas. Out of work, our slacker decides to become a Macy’s elf during the height of the holiday crunch in New York City. This clever anti-hero shares observations, both hilarious and touching, of the mayhem in front of and behind the scenes during one chaotic December; from aggressive parents and drunken Santas, to flirtatious actors, poor hygiene, and the racially-charged hazards of being a “Pointer Elf.”
The Santaland Diaries is a wry and witty look at the combination of retail hell and theatrical spectacle that is the holiday season. 
Make no mistake about it, THE SANTALAND DIARIES is intended for age 18 and over folks. This is late-night holiday humor for adults. The lobby and the bar open at 9 pm, just after the curtain call for A CHRISTMAS STORY, and the show starts at 9:30 pm. If you come on Saturday night, you can even treat yourself to a martini at the bar before the show! THE SANTALAND DIARIES is the perfect Christmas treat for grownups, but you’d best get your tickets early. There are only 4 performances this year and one of them is already sold-out!
THE SANTALAND DIARIES
Saturday, December 8 @ 9:30 pm
Sunday, December 9 @ 7 pm – SOLD-OUT!
Friday, December 14 @ 9:30 pm
Saturday, December 15 @ 9:30 pm
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
“You’ll shoot your eye out!”
A CHRISTMAS STORY has become a holiday tradition for families all over the country. The film has been a holiday staple on network television almost since it’s premiere in 1983, but the stage version is even more magical. This is SLO REP’s 5th year presenting this heartwarming, funny and nostalgic holiday treat and it sells out every year. Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”
A CHRISTMAS STORY runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm through December 23rd. This show is meant for the whole family to enjoy together so bring the kids, bring your folks, bring everybody but the dog for a heartwarming, funny, nostalgic holiday treat! Our New Times’ review said it best: “Whether it’s at the beginning or end of December, be sure to add a viewing of SLO Rep’s A Christmas Story to your local holiday to-do list.” Treat yourself to live theatre that’s perfect for the holidays. Buy your tickets HERE before they’are all gone!
*A Christmas Story photos courtesy of RyLo Media Design. The Santaland Diaries photos courtesy of Jamie Foster Photography.
And just one more thing: If you’re looking for some great stocking stuffers for the theatre lover in your life, we’ve got you covered! A gift certificate to SLO REP is the gift that keeps on giving all year long. Gift certificates are available in any amount, they’re good for ANY show on our stage and they never, ever expire. What a deal! Toss in a coffee mug or a stemless wine glass, a hoodie sweatshirt and a T-shirt and your shopping is done! You can buy gift certificates online HERE and pop by any time the box office is open for some merch! Or better yet, come to a show and do your shopping then!
Whatever you do and wherever you spend your holidays this year, we wish you all the best. Here’s to happy, healthy holiday and a new year filled with the magic of live theatre for all!
