Oddfellows Fundraiser Premieres Tonight

Oddfellows Playhouse is presenting the Santaland Diaries, David Sedaris’ wonderfully funny, cynical examination of the commercialization of Christmas.  A short story presented through the eyes of a Macy’s Store elf in New York City, this one-hour, one-actor, no intermission play features vignettes from interviewing for the job of Elf through the four weeks leading up to Christmas.  

Unlike most of Oddfellow performances, this show is not student-performed. Also unlike most Oddfellow shows, this one is for mature audiences only (ages 13 and older.)  

“The idea behind Santaland is that we are going to be able to raise a lot of money for our scholarship fund and overhead in three, short performances”, said executive director Matt Pugliese.  Because this is a fundraiser, all of the theater professional are donating their time to support the show." 

Locals volunteers include Tony Palmieri, who is serving as the director.  Many people know Palmieri through his distinctive, artistic, often surreal floral arrangements and nature sculptures at Datura--A Modern Garden, formerly prominently located in downtown Middletown.  

Michael Lombardi, from Hamden but who has local ties through the Greater Middletown Chorale, plays Crumpet, the one actor-elf.  Also volunteering their professional services is Tate Burmeister, a professional theatrical lighting designer.  

The show receives significant volunteer support from two high school students, Beech Copeland and Bailey Gould from Hamden, who have been working as the sound and lightboard operators. The students are also participating in the Oddfellows Technical Theater program. 

Said Pugliese, “It’s great that there are so many talented people willing to donate their time in the midst of the busiest season of the year to help Oddfellows.  They are giving many hours including their weekends to make this happen and we could not do it without them.”  

I asked Tony if we could look forward to seeing Datura-like elements in any of the set’s scenery, particularly hoping to see a Datura Christmas tree.  He laughed and quickly responded, “No!  The setting is supposed to be at Macy’s and Macy’s is always tacky!”  

It was a disappointment for me to hear that, but tacky or not, the Santaland stage will definitely put you in the holiday spirit with its huge, shiny Christmas tree, presents piled high, toy soldiers, and a tray of milk and cookies waiting for Big Guy, himself.  Eerily festive music from The Nightmare Before Christmas is the only indication that something might be amiss in this idyllic boy-and-girl Toyland.  

Lombardi is perfect in the role of Crumpet, with his over-the-top blue eyes and animated face.  He said he could easily relate to the elf character.  

“I was raised in New York so I remember going in to the City to Macy’s to see Santa.  You have these memories as a child of the illusion that was there, but what’s fun about this is taking the lid off of it and seeing what’s really going on!” 

The show runs three, consecutive nights from Thursday, December 15 through Saturday, December 17 with all performances beginning at 7:30 p.m.  This is the second year that Oddfellows is presenting the show; last year was a near sellout and so far, all three days of the performance are already 50% sold-out, said Pugliese.  

“I’m recommending that if you want tickets for the show, call Oddfellows at 860-347-6143 and make your reservation now.”