Asheville’s non-traditional tradition returns to Asheville Community Theatre!

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 much more naughty than nice. In Asheville, the play has transformed from a quirky ticket to a bona fide holiday tradition – and last year’s performances were completely sold out. Continuing the tradition, director Betsy Puckett reunites with star Bradshaw Call for the third time in as many years.

“Much like last year, we’ve decided to keep the setting and theatrical accouterments simple so as to really highlight the story,” said Puckett. “Sedaris has such a brilliant sarcastic wit that it’s easy to forget the story happened to a real person during a difficult time in their life. I think that is why The Santaland Diaries has been so universally successful.

“Everyone knows what it’s like to feel down and downright hateful during what is supposed to be the most magical time of year, but few of us are brave enough to admit it and then dare to make light of the glorious awful that can preside over much of the festivities. How lucky we are that David Sedaris is one of the bravely observant and is bitterly, sarcastically honest about it all.”

The Santaland Diaries opens Thursday, December 10 and runs through Saturday, December 19, 2015. Tickets are limited, and are available online, over the phone, or in person at the Asheville Community Theatre Box Office. All tickets are $15.

Bradshaw Call is fresh off his stint as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in last month’s The Rocky Horror Show. Bradshaw’s local credits also include The Addams Family, Spamalot, Live From WVL Radio Theatre: It’s a Wonderful Life, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Greater Tuna, and Guys and Dolls.

For more information about The Santaland Diaries or about Asheville Community Theatre, please visit www.ashevilletheatre.org.

If You Go: The Santaland Diaries, December 10-19, 2015. Performances Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $15. Asheville Community Theatre Box Office, 35 East Walnut Street, downtown Asheville. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please call (828) 254-1320 or visit www.ashevilletheatre.org