The Santaland Diaries 1
The Santaland Diaries is one show for which actor Martin Burke has relatively little to do to prepare. He comes onstage in street clothes and changes into his Christmas Elf costume in front of the audience. So to pass the time before the show, he pores over his treasure trove of candy canes, holiday sweets, greeting cards, and other Yuletide items sent as “good show” gifts. Another common superstition in the theatre: All “good show” gifts are to be kept at the theatre until the run of the show is complete.This article appears in December 3 • 1999.