As ‘Polar Bears: A Story of Fatherhood, Funerals, and Santa Claus’ enters into its final week of shows (Thursday through Sunday at Main Stage West, in Sebastopol), the reviews are in, and the buzz is remarkably good, from critics and audience members alike. The show has been awarded a “Go See!” designation by the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, and written feedback from attendees (posting on Facebook and elsewhere) has been magnificent.

Here’s a roundup of the reviews and press the show has received.

In the North Bay Bohemian, the Pacific Sun, and on KRCB’s ‘Second Row Center,’ guest reviewer Daedalus Howell tackled the show from a psychological perspective, noting the raw emotional excavations of its plot and performance. He emphasizes the writing, and ultimately notes, “It may not restore your faith in Santa Claus, with might restore your faith in parenthood.”

Click ‘Here‘ to read the full review.

In the Sonoma County Gazette, Suzanne and Greg Angeo call ‘Polar Bears,’ “a courageous, beautifully crafted show that will bring laughter and tears, usually at the same time. The Angeos offer shout-outs to the direction by Sheri Lee Miller, and the set by Beth Craven, and praise several elelemtns of the show. “Templeton’s personal charm and warmth, and his conversational storytelling style enfolds the audience in an intimate embrace. His talent as a playwright and his gift of mimicry serves him well in his characterizations of his kids, his dad and various other characters that move in and out of the narrative.”

Click ‘Here‘ to read the full review.

Finally, Harry Duke, of KSRO’s The Drive with Steve Jaxon, the Sonoma County Gazette, and For All Events, offered his own twin analysis of ‘Polar Bears’ and David Yen’s staging of David Sedaris’ ‘The Santaland Diaries,’ saying of the former, “Templeton’s elegy to the trials and tribulations of single parenthood is a beautifully written piece. While set at Christmastime and built around his desire to maintain his children’s belief in Santa Claus, Polar Bears speaks to the universal lengths parents will go to in their attempts to keep their children happy. Part love letter to his family, part confessional release, it’s told with good humor and a lot of heart.”

Click ‘Here‘ to read full review.