SantaLand Diaries

"SantaLand Diaries" is an essay by David Sedaris. It is a true and humorous account of Sedaris' stint working as a Christmas elf in "SantaLand" at Macy's department store.

Sedaris first read the essay on National Public Radio's Morning Edition on December 23, 1992.[1] The piece was well-received, and provided Sedaris with his first major break.[2] Sedaris later published the essay in the collections Barrel Fever (1994) and Holidays on Ice (1997). A much longer version of the piece first aired on December 20, 1996 on the Public Radio International program This American Life.[3] In 1996, Joe Mantello adapted Sedaris' essay for the stage as a one-man, one-act play, which debuted (as The Santaland Diaries) at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York on November 7, 1996.[4] Timothy Olyphant originated the role. Mantello's adaptation has since become a seasonal staple of regional, college and high-school theatre.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Lane, Raymond M. (2005-12-23). "Acerbic Adventures in 'Santaland'". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/22/AR2005122200527.html. Retrieved 2006-12-29. 
  2. ^ "Sedaris and Crumpet the Elf: A Holiday Tradition". NPR website. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5066175. Retrieved 2006-12-29. 
  3. ^ "Christmas and Commerce". This American Life website. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/47/christmas-and-commerce. Retrieved 2011-12-24. 
  4. ^ "Offstage: An Audience Guide to The Santaland Diaries" (pdf). Long Wharf Theatre website. http://www.longwharf.org/pdfs/offstage_santa.pdf. Retrieved 2006-12-29. 

External links