The Santaland Diaries Review: Lee Eddy How Do We Love Thee? Let Us Count the Ways.

Photo by Kirk R. Tuck

What happens when you combine the acerbic satirical wit of David Sedaris, one sexy and campy cabaret singer (Meredith McCall) and the best actress in Austin two years running (Lee Eddy)? You get the hilarious one-act holiday-themed play The Santaland Diaries. We had the fortune of spending Friday night at Zach Scott Theater laughing until we cried at what is becoming an annual tradition.

Directed by Dave Steakley, TSD offers one elf’s hilarious story of underemployment, obnoxious children, psychotic parents and, eventually, the true spirit of the holidays. Eddy plays the role of a new-to-town victim of the New York job hunt who ends up taking on the job of Crumpet, one of Santa’s diminutive helpers, at the mecca of American consumerism: Macy’s. Lee’s performance combines bittersweet hilarity and a physical comedic brilliance that is so frantic there is no wonder the actress has bottles of water stationed strategically around the set in order to help hydrate her comedic tour de force. The play is seasoned with cute and a little-bit-bawdy performances by the ever-present McCall with subtle accompaniment from musical director Jason Connor.

The play will have you laughing through your tears, even if you have seen another of the play’s incarnations. Eddy takes the piece to dizzying new heights as only she can. Her hilarious performance almost led us believe another genius Sedaris, Amy, was on stage. We were, however, a bit dismayed with the beginning of the play, which established, or was meant to, some back-story for the character that we felt fell a little short. But all is forgiven by the time you are leaving the theater, asking your date, “How funny was that Usher impersonation?”

So, this holiday season, go with your friends, or your folks, or a date and gorge on the 90-minute comedic feast that is The Santaland Diaries. You won’t be disappointed. The Santaland Diaries runs through January 8th.
For tickets call 476.0541 (ext. 1) or go online for single tickets.