by James Whitely - SGN Contributing Writer

Santaland Diaries
Bathhouse Theatre
Through December 24

Seattle Public Theatre (SPT) is currently running David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries until December 24, at the historic Bathhouse Theatre on Greenlake. The now-classic story, recounting Sedaris' experience as a Macy's Christmas elf, is directed by Makaela Pollock and performed by Andrew Litzky. The show is absurdly funny and transfers well to the stage.

Many years ago, Seattle Weekly columnist Bruce Barcott wrote, 'Santaland Diaries is quite possibly the 31 funniest pages of text published in the past quarter-century.' Litzky delivers the 31-page monologue flawlessly, and although he doesn't have the familiar voice we know from National Public Radio, he delivers it with an energy that matches Sedaris' derisive wit perfectly.

The show "for mature elves only" is not your typical Christmas carol. Santaland Diaries pokes fun at the commercialization of Christmas and the families taking part in it as Sedaris observes them trying desperately to see Santa and get their child's photo taken.

If you're hoping for just a little bit of coal in your stocking this year, Santaland Diaries is what you're waiting for. From a Santa who really thinks he is Santa as long as he's on the clock to children writing their names in artificial snow, along with celebrity run-ins and non-English-speaking foreigners being shoved into line and forced to sit on Santa's lap, Santaland Diaries will keep you laughing the whole way through.

"As he recounts his travails as an elf, he knocks us out of our holiday haze of consumerism washed with sentimentality, and through his wry and sardonic comments allows us to have a real Christmas moment," says Pollock.

The one-hour show is a tradition at SPT at the Bathhouse, so if you can't catch it this year, be sure to catch it next year. SPT is a nonprofit professional theater on the shores of Green Lake, dedicated to creating community thorough the performing arts.

For more information or to buy tickets, check out seattlepublictheatre.org.

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