I discovered David Sedaris via a wickedly funny monologue on NPR about working as an elf at Macy's in New York City. When 'The Santaland Diaries' became a theater piece a decade ago, I was entertained, especially if a good actor took it on. In New Edgecliff's current production, Joshua Steele is the right elf for the job, a skinny, frizzy-haired guy in a silly, green velvet costume with curly pointed shoes.  

'Cotton Patch Gospel' is based on a 1971 retelling of the Gospel of Matthew by Clarence Jordan, with music by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin written just before his death in a car accident in 1981. Excellent singing by the 10 cast members sustains the two-act revival meeting from start to finish with updated versions of familiar Bible parables. Joshua Steele shows off his fine voice and acting talents as Jesus, and Max Chernin is Matthew, the show's affable narrator.  

At The Carnegie, director Greg Procaccino, producer Joshua Steele and music director Alan Patrick Kenny have devised a 'Secret Garden' that's good looking and difficult listening. Leading performances are fetching, especially Ty Yadzinski as a dour, bedeviled widower and Charity Farrell as the cheeky then cheerful orphan who discovers the locked garden and transforms it into a colorful, healing retreat.