Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/51669
play in the spotlight A New Holiday Santa Claustrophobia! A cure for the holiday-season hustle By Michael and Jean Muckian Madison folk music stalwarts Lou and Peter Berryman know a little holiday cheer goes a long way. Their Dec. 2 show "Santa Claus- trophobia" at the Stoughton Opera House is an antidote to the seasonal shopping blues, offering a chance for a little musi- cal and comedic entertainment before the Ghost of Christmas Bills to Come begins to linger. The formerly married, but still mu- sically friendly, pair tells us more. How do you describe your performance style? Lou: We have always been serious about going into a performance completely pre- pared, but I don't think that shows very much! We're relaxed and chatty, and aim to be as friendly and down-to-earth as we can. We think of ourselves as being "the same size as the audience," if that makes any sense. Peter: Our inspiration comes from the usual suspects—other songs and other writings—but also includes road signs and user manuals, faded memories and the peculiarities of conversation. Our top- ics range from ordinary experiences to armchair philosophies, with a good bit of wordplay thrown in to perk things up. In the midst of all the holiday fury, why do we need a show like "Santa Claustrophobia?" Lou: It's a break from the holiday busy- ness. The audience can expect to laugh, and hopefully we will give them some new 66 BRAVA Magazine December 2011 things to think about. Peter: We just thought it might be nice for folks to escape temporarily from the 24- hour Christmas music blasting from every shopping-mall speaker and TV commer- cial. We will include many of our usual songs and numbers from "Rocky Fron- tier," our new CD, which is getting nice reviews from folk radio stations around the country. All three of them. Is there audience participation of any kind? Lou: The audience can expect to laugh out loud, to maybe sing along sometimes if so moved, and to come away with cheeks ach- ing from smiling! Peter: But if you want to just sit and take it in with a scowl, that's fine too. For information and tickets for "Santa Claustrophobia," visit louandpeter.com or call (608) 877-4400. The duo will also be performing its annual New Year's Eve show and fundraiser for the Goodman Community Center on Dec. 31. Call (608) 257-7750 or (608) 241-1574 for information and tickets. Michael and Jean Muckian have covered the local food and arts scenes for over 25 and 15 years, respectively. Find their blog, Culturosity, at bravamagazine.com. Cheer Alternative celebrations lighten the mood in a whole new way Fed up with Frosty, Rudolph, the Land of Misfit Toys and, especially, Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun? Those look- ing for "alternative" holiday entertain- ment need look no further than the near east side's Barrymore Theatre for several adult alternatives: Living the elf life Local traveling troupe Bricks Theatre once again brings author and NPR commentator David Sedaris' hilari- ously funny holiday nightmare to life in "The Santaland Diaries," running from Dec. 9-11. The one-elf show chronicles Sedaris' single season as one of Santa's helpers in Macy's holiday department with the author's cogent observations and wry humor. This is not the stuff of which holiday dreams are made. Putting the X in Xmas Those looking to put the X back into Xmas might enjoy "A John Waters Christmas" on Dec. 14, an unlikely evening with the alternative film director best known for the smash hit "Hairspray" and cult classic "Pink Flamingos," considered the world's most "disgusting" film. The rapid-fire Baltimore bad boy may be the most unlikely holiday monologist imagin- able. This time he shares his desire to give and receive perverted gifts, a religious fanaticism for Santa Claus, an unhealthy love of true crime holiday horror stories and other oddities. Whose idea was this anyway? Visit barrymorelive.com for details.