New productions ready to spread Christmas cheer

A nasty little department-store elf, two staged readings and a couple of Hunt Mysteries offer some nontraditional fare for those not quite ready to jump into the season's Scrooges and Magis.

"THE SANTALAND DIARIES," which Tooth & Nail Theatre Company describes as its "fifth-annual holiday anti-tradition," returns to the Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway (300 South), for a 3 1/2-week run from Thursday through Dec. 30.

Actor Todd Parmley, who originated the role for T&N's first production five years ago, will reprise a 33-year-old urban slacker whose dire circumstances force him to take on the humiliating job as one of Santa's elves in a large New York City department store.

The one-man stage production was adapted by Joe Mantello from humorist David Sedaris' book of the same title, recounting how Sedaris endured as a Christmas elf at Macy's.

Directed by Roger Benington, "The Santaland Diaries" plays for 18 evening performances with three matinees (3 p.m. on Dec. 11, 18 and 24). Tickets are $22 at all ArtTix locations or by calling 355-2787. There is a $5 discount for performances prior to Dec. 14 (mention the code SANTA when purchasing tickets). Student tickets are $10 on specific days.

"A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR," featuring Utah Shakespearean Festival founder and executive producer Fred C. Adams as Ebenezer Scrooge, is back for a second season in the Randall L. Jones Theatre, Cedar City. The USF production, adapted for the stage by longtime festival veterans Peter Sham and Brad Carroll, is presented as an old-time live radio broadcast, complete with sound effects, period costumes, door prizes, a flashing "applause" sign and an audience sing-along.

Reprising their roles from last year will be Sham and Carroll as brothers Chick and Stu Wright, with Andrew Hunsaker as both the Ghost of Christmas Present and Andy Foley, the sound effects expert. Doug Baker is returning to the festival after a long absence to play author Charles Dickens. (Baker, who was instrumental in developing the festival's Greenshows and Royal Feastes, starred for 13 years in the Excalibur Hotel's spectacular "Tournament of Kings" in Las Vegas.)

Charles Metton is Jacob Marley and Michael Don Bahr is Bob Cratchit, with Chris L. Lusk as Belle, LeGrand Andersen as Old Fezziwig and Noah Strasmann as Tiny Tim. Several invited guests will take on the roles of "newscasters" Douglas Fir and Virginia Pine, including two local radio personalities, Randy and Jenny of Star 98.1, for the two Monday-evening performances.

Also, festival management promises that "the fruitcake lady will definitely be back."