The Santaland Diaries
Hennepin StagesNovember 26 - December 31




The Santaland Diaries is the stage adaptation of David Sedaris' acerbic and hilarious account of a stint working as a Christmas elf, played by actor Joe Leary, in Macy's "SantaLand."

Sedaris' sharp observations about his odd encounters during the season of forced joy have become a delightful cult classic for those looking for a comic antidote to Christmas treacle. The Santaland Diaries was adapted in 1996 by Joe Mantello, of "Love! Valour! Compassion!" fame, as a one-man, one-act play





JUST EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND! Now running thru Dec. 26th.

Combining a spy thriller with farcical comedy and ingenious theatrical invention, The 39 Steps is an engaging, fast-paced whodunit that celebrates the magic of theater. Closely following the storyline of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film, the play features more than 150 characters brought to life by a cast of just four actors, including Robert O. Berdahl (Macbeth) as the intrepid hero Richard Hannay; Sarah Agnew (Dollhouse) as all female roles (including a beautiful spy with a deadly secret); and Jim Lichtscheidl (The Two Gentlemen of Verona) and Luverne Seifert (The Government Inspector), two of Minnesota’s greatest comedic actors – all putting their many sidesplitting skills to the test in this wildly entertaining experience.


Also, Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" is at the Guthrie Theater, running through Dec. 30th.




First Avenue's 40th Anniversary Party. Wednesday, Dec. 15th.

Featuring Gary Louris, Har Mar Superstar, Grant Hart, Matt Wilson & John Munson, John Koerner & Tony Glover, The Mighty Mofos, The Hypstrz, plus DJ SovietPanda, Roy Freedom.

7th St. Entry features: Chooglin', Birthday Suits, and Con Queso.








Mike's Favorite First Avenue Memories:

Patti Smith (the Gone Again tour)
Lucinda Williams, with Graham Parker (Sweet Old World)
Lucinda Williams, with Blue Rodeo
Motorhead
Sinead O'Connor
Superchunk
The Suburbs
The Cramps (3x)
Drive-By Truckers
Sonic Youth
The Dead Weather
Nick Cave/Grinderman
Urge Overkill
Mike Doughty
Chris Bailey
Garbage
Acid Mothers Temple (3x, 7th St. Entry)
The Black Keys
The Buzzcocks
The Dandy Warhols
They Might Be Giants
El Vez (The Mexican Elvis)
Reverend Horton Heat
The Cult


Upcoming: The Jayhawks, Saturday, Jan. 29th, and Buckcherry, Sat. Feb 5th.