Contemporary Theatre of Dallas opens two shows this weekend

by Shawn Parikh

Contemporary Theatre of Dallas is definitely doing something different by presenting two productions simultaneously. For the first time ever, the company will present a special late night show, The SantaLand Diaries. Meanwhile, their regular mainstage run will feature a musical revue titled Closer Than Ever.

Closer Than Ever will run from December 5 - 28 with a special pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday, December 4. Lyricist Richard Maltby Jr. and composer David Shire (the team behind the musicals Big, Baby and Starting Here, Starting Now) created this musical revue with songs that stand alone—each a mini-musical in itself—but also add up to a unifying theme of growing up, falling in love, and trying to hold on to happiness through life’s curves and changes, from the bawdy hilarity of “Miss Byrd” to the poignant longing of “She Loves Me Not.” Director René Moreno, noted for his work on major dramas including CTD’s A Streetcar Named Desire, takes a lighter turn with Closer Than Ever. The cast will include Megan Kelly Bates, Paul Taylor, Cameron McElyea, and Mary Gilbreath Grim.

The SantaLand Diaries will also run from December 5 - 28, but performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. A hilarious, sardonic comedy written by NPR humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris, chronicles his true-life experience as an out of work slacker taking a job as Crumpet the Elf at the SantaLand display in Macy’s Manhattan. Sedaris recounts outrageous tales of encounters with frenzied holiday shoppers during the height of the holiday crunch. Directed by Coy Covington, this priceless one-man show has become a national cult-classic and will star Dallas’ own Nye Cooper in the lead role. Although holiday-themed, The SantaLand Diaries contains adult language and mature themes.

Tickets for Closer Than Ever range from $22-32, while SantaLand tickets cost $12. Purchase tickets online or by calling 214-828-0094.