Spotlight interview: Mark Standriff puts the ‘Mr.’ in Christmas. You’ll see him as Santa at the Fresno Philharmonic’s holiday concert.

The Philharmonic isn’t Standriff’s only gig this holiday season. He’s also appearing as Mr. March in Good Company Players’ “Little Women: A Victorian Christmas Card” at 2nd Space Theatre. “A beautiful and heartfelt production,” he says.

His Christmas cred gets a boost from other facts, as well.

One, Standriff has collected Santas since 1985 and currently has more than 200 in every possible size, style and material. His favorites are a pair of miniature Mr. and Mrs. Claus bobbleheads with red lips and the words “KISS ME” on their bases. “Nothing says the holiday season better than Santa and his missus wobble-smooching,” he says.

Two, Standriff wears a different Christmas tie every business day in December. Each day, he posts a photo of his neckwear on his Facebook and X accounts. “My friends and followers have very strong opinions on their favorites,” he says.

OK, now for questions with a very game Santa Standriff.

Q. Who would you rather have serenade you – Mariah Carey with “All I Want For Christmas,” Eartha Kitt with “Santa Baby” or Taylor Swift with “Christmas Tree Farm”? (Could you be a Swiftie?)

A: All great choices from three lovely ladies, but frankly, I’d rather have my wife serenade me. Her sultry version of “Merry Christmas, Darling” has the Seal of Approval from the Carpenters’ Fan Club.

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Q. What’s the closest you’ve ever been to the North Pole?

A: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I have relatives there. I’ve also been to Santa Claus, Ind.; Christmas, Mich.; and Rudolph, Ohio. You can send letters there to get their special postmarks. That lets you know how big a yuletide nerd I can be.

Q. You have a “day job” working for the city as the head of Beautify Fresno. Do you have any tips for how the Jolly One can keep Santa’s Village Hallmark perfect?

A: Wrapping ribbon is a recycling no-no. Tinsel may be pretty, but you’ll keep finding it for decades in the strangest places. And PLEASE, Santa, let’s dispose of the reindeer poop properly.

Standriff’s Christmas tie collection.

Q. A Christmas tie collection? We need details. How many? Favorite? Ugliest? Does anyone still wear ties?

A: I have over 30 in my collection, and there’s a few that have to sit out the festivities each year. Favorite? There’s a Jerry Garcia design with a cosmic Santa. But my heart is always drawn to the one I wear last – my father’s Christmas tie. It was the only one he ever wore, bought from a JCPenney back in the early 70s. Come to think of it, that’s also my ugliest one 🙂

Q. I’m told you’ve appeared 18 times in “A Christmas Carol.” Which characters have you played, and which one do you most identify with?

A: It started back at my hometown theater, the Toledo Rep., where at age 12 I played the Turkey Boy (the child whom Scrooge hires on Christmas morning to fetch a giant turkey from the butcher). Because “A Christmas Carol” is a holiday tradition at the theaters I’ve worked with, I’ve performed virtually every male role possible.

I identify most with the Ghost of Christmas Present, a spirit that embodies the essence of generosity, empathy and celebration. The Ghost of Christmas Present represents what is good in the world and shows Scrooge that Christmas is really about finding joy in the people you love and the blessings you have.

Incidentally, I met Mrs. Christmas (my wife, Sally Tay Howe) over 30 years ago when she played Belle and I played Bob Cratchit. Cue the mistletoe.

Q. Let’s be serious. How old were you when you first read “Little Women”? Favorite character?

A: Technically, my fourth grade teacher spent two weeks reading “Little Women” to our class. She even did all the voices! But I hadn’t actually picked up the book until this production. As far as my favorite character, I refer you back to my wife, who plays Marmee in the GCP production. Marmee is the glue that holds her family together through good times and bad.

Santa, aka Mark Standriff, takes the baton to conduct “Sleigh Ride” with the Fresno Philharmonic.

Q. Let’s have some Philharmonic fun since you’ll be appearing with the orchestra. What instrument do you identify with?

A: I played trumpet for years so that would be the easy choice. But now I’d say I identify with the French horn. Warm, rich, expressive, and best of all, there’s no spit valve.

Q: OK, back to the holly, jolly season. Please channel Santa for the next two questions. What three gifts would you bring Fresno’s arts community?

A: Audiences, audiences and more audiences. The pandemic really did a number on subscriptions and ticket sales. So Santa says it’s time to shift the focus from bringing the arts to the people and instead bring people to the arts. (Santa says tickets to a performance or an exhibition make great stocking stuffers!)

Q. Would you rather have people leave you milk and cookies or something, er, a little stronger?

A: Santa would never pass up cookies, especially snickerdoodles. But old Saint Nick wouldn’t mind if someone left some eggnog with a splash of bourbon. (Don’t worry, kids – Buddy the Elf has offered to be my designated driver!)