Writer and humorist David Sedaris has long been a PAC audience favorite. We are so thrilled that he will be back to open our season this Saturday, October 8, that we’ve decided to share some of our favorite Sedaris readings, interviews, and other tidbits in this week’s Culture Picks. Enjoy!
Happy-Go-Lucky
In his most recent collection of essays, Sedaris captures what is most unexpected, hilarious, and poignant about recent personal and public upheavals, and expresses in precise language both the misanthropy and desire for connection that drive us all. Learn more about this instant best-seller on his website, and listen to him read the essay that started it all.
“Lucky-Go-Happy”
The New Yorker, March 28, 2022
And, as referenced above, here’s the essay that started it all.
“The America I saw while on tour in the fall of 2021 was weary and battle-scarred. Its sidewalks were cracked, its mailboxes bashed in.”
“Lucky-Go-Happy,” Essay by David Sedaris | The New Yorker
Author David Sedaris Talks His Latest Book Happy-Go-Lucky
TODAY, May 31, 2022
Author David Sedaris joins TODAY to discuss his new collection of essays Happy-Go-Lucky. He touches on how his writing has evolved over time and shares how he handled a heckler while delivering the commencement address at Oberlin College.
Watch David Sedaris on the TODAY show
David Sedaris reads Santaland Diaries
NPR, December 23, 2021
In 1992, Sedaris read from Santaland on Morning Edition. An NPR holiday tradition was born, and the struggling writer became an in-demand talent overnight.
Listen to last year’s “Santaland Diaries” reading on NPR.org
David Sedaris Isn’t Into Astrology or Ghosts
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, June 22, 2022
Conan and David bond over their disbelief in astrology and ghosts. Hear more from this episode of “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend.”
Listen to the audio or watch the episode on YouTube
David Sedaris Answered 175 Fan Letters While Stuck at Home With COVID
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, June 23, 2022
The hilarious David Sedaris stops by to introduce his latest book and share what he did to pass the time while recovering from his recent bout with COVID.
Watch David Sedaris on the Late Show
Penn Badgley to Produce Movie Adaptation of Beloved David Sedaris Short Story About “Fixation and Fantasy”
Variety EXCLUSIVE, October 3, 2022
Penn Badgley’s production company Ninth Mode and producer Raven Tahzib have acquired the rights to the David Sedaris short story “Jamboree,” in order to develop it into a feature film. “Jamboree” was part of Sedaris’ 1994 book “Barrel Fever,” his first published collection of short stories and essays. In the story, a 16-year-old boy who lives in his older sister’s garage ends up being the caretaker of her baby. “Jamboree” would be only the second time that Sedaris’ work has been adapted for film: 2013’s C.O.G., from Kyle Patrick Alvarez, was based on an essay from the 1997 collection Naked.
Read the full article in “Variety”
Can’t get enough of David Sedaris? Follow him on Facebook and Instagram!
An EXTREMELY LIMITED amount of tickets are still available for “An Evening with David Sedaris” on Saturday, October 8; click here to check availability and score your seat.
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Culture Picks is a bi-weekly feature celebrating the performing arts. The PAC reopens on October 8 and cultural connoisseur and PAC staff member Coni Guhl is here to shine the spotlight on artists that will be part of our 2022-2023 season. Each post will feature her curated selection of video, audio, and things to read about one of our artists, plus an occasional recommendation for performing arts experiences that you just can’t miss. Enjoy!
All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.
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Featured image: David Sedaris © Anne Fishbein
