Satirist David Sedaris Calls It as He Sees It

David Sedaris is a best selling author, playwright, essayist and humorist whose numerous memoirs and short stories are told with a dry wit and discerning eye that have endeared him to millions world-wide.  His humor is self-deprecating focusing oftentimes on his family, heritage and homosexuality, all with a conspiratorial wink.  Sedaris is a prolific writing.  Among his works are  "Me Talk Pretty One Day," "Calypso" and his most recent essay collection "Happy-Go-Lucky."   Last evening at the Luther Burbank Theater in Santa Rosa, Sedaris was in the lobby signing books prior to his show while engaging in friendly banter.  Sedaris came on stage without introduction calling attention to his ad-hoc attire; a long nightshirt over billowy pants and Dutch clogs wrapped in what looked like "paper mache." His first quips were about Christmas which he plans to review on Yelp.  The holiday have gone south since his childhood. His longtime partner, Hugh, whom he mentions often and fondly, takes charge for the holidays.  His reading began with essays from "Happy-Go-Lucky"on traveling and his "beefs" with fellow travelers and his newly claimed countrymen in England.  The British have warranted better marks for having few guns, no Fox News or national disasters but the adolescent youth there are "horrible."  As he read in his animated, high pitched voice, the terrors of British tots garnered laughs.  His tales of woe being mugged living in New York were amusing while noting white privilege.  Sedaris readings delightfully meandered from dissociated subjects and seamlessly circling back to his original whims.  There was an intimate connection with his audience.  A sly, salaciousness emerged in off-color jokes about a huge dildo and foul-mouthed toddler.  Aside from reading, Sedaris offered free copies of his books published in foreign languages to audience members but he wasn't falling for simple salutations for being fluent.  He also pedaled the graphic novel "Penny Cat," because he found its artwork and insights into the psyches of cats ingenious.  While at a book signing in Ireland, he met Rob.  Rob presented him with a book of his poems.  Sedaris was so taken he invited him to open a reading with his poetry.  The remaining Q&A elicited clever comments.  "I know from doing this not to ask the people waving their arms." The best advice he received came from an early writing professor.  "Do the work and be ready for somebody to pull you up which is what happened with Rob." As for rating Christmas, "First, I want to eliminate all the shitty Christmas music piped in.  Red, green and gold never make a good fashion statement.  And, on the 26th I want all the Christmas decorations gone."  I give Sedaris 5 stars along with the rousing standing he received.