Arts Agenda - Deck the Claus

A wry alternative to traditional holiday theater, David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries celebrates the real reasons for the season: spoiled children, pushy parents, kooks in Christmas costumes and, of course, mass commercialism.
Presented by Horizon Theatre, the satirical play centers on the confessions of a disgruntled department store elf (Harold M. Leaver). In the largely autobiographical play, directed by Clint Thornton, Sedaris tells the story of an unemployed 33-year-old who reluctantly takes a job as Crumpet, a bad-ass, green tights-wearing Santa’s helper at Macy’s “Santaland.”
Through his bitingly sarcastic musings, the bitter elf reveals the true nature of holiday mall madness from an insider’s perspective. In Santaland, Christmas merriment takes a backseat to brats peeing in the fake snow, a delusional Santa, elves forced to act cheerful and obsessed parents on a mission for the perfect photo of their child with ol’ Saint Nick.
Made popular from his readings on National Public Radio, the warped play is adapted from Sedaris’ book, Holidays on Ice. Leave the good will towards men (and the kids) at home for this anti-holiday show.

The Santaland Diaries will be presented by Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Dec. 10-Jan. 2, with performances at Sun. at 8:30 p.m. and Mon.-Tues. at 8 p.m. $15-$20. 404-584-7450.