David Sedaris’s “SantaLand Diaries” is an adult Christmas comedy, and in the current production of the one-man play at Capital Stage, it is every bit of that. Shannon Mahoney’s direction embraces the staging from two years ago (when Peter Mohrmann directed). Benjamin T. Ismail replaces Aaron Wilton in the Sedaris role. He is assisted by two uncredited female elves, who brighten each scene in which they make quick entries and exits. The only major change from the Mohrmann/Wilton production is the deletion of an opening scene that clearly established the year of the action as 1989. While well intended, that scene really didn’t work all that well and we were glad to see that it has been jettisoned.
Simply stated, this year’s edition is a hoot, but it is, as we said, intended for an adult audience, and while “SantaLand” certainly has more than its share of laughs, it also delivers a none-too-subtle message. The play, originally a scripted monologue by Mr. Sedaris that has been adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello, is the personal account of a mid-30s single guy who spends a holiday season employed as an elf at Macy’s department store in New York City.
The job of the elves (as we learn, there are many on staff, each with a different role) is to assist the store in the Santa attraction that presumably pulls in lots of potential buyers in the form of parents who bring their children to see (and be photographed with) the jolly guy with the white beard. The elves at Macy’s keep things moving, from the moment the family arrives at SantaLand to the moment they pay for their photos and leave. The particular elf who serves as the narrator cum commentator in the play is presumably Mr. Sedaris himself, who did indeed work as a Macy’s elf one season when he was particularly down on his luck (unemployed and nearly broke).
Apart from a few voice-overs from the Macy’s PA system (announcing when elves may take breaks and when they must return to work, among other things) and those previously mentioned cute female helper elves, the play is very much a one-man show, and its success is definitely dependent on the actor playing the role.
And Mr. Ismail (a Capital Stage veteran who recently directed the highly successful production of “August: Osage County” and appeared in this season’s “Disgraced” and the productions from previous years of “Tribes” and Speech & Debate”) embraces the role with zest and energy, thereby providing a highly entertaining, often uproarious, and occasionally insightful tour de force performance that has him playing perhaps a dozen different elf roles (e.g., Entrance Elf, Train Elf, Magic Window Elf, Santa Elf, Photo Elf, Cash Register Elf) as he chronicles his elf’s experiences, from the one-week training program (conducted almost like a military boot camp) to the last Santa’s stand on Christmas eve.
In the course of his tale, Mr. Ismail depicts the crassness of the shoppers in demanding that their little tykes smile while their pictures are taken as they sit on Santa’s lap. He also mocks the strict regulations on conduct and appearance the elves are expected to follow and the bizarre attitudes of some of the Santas (including one who, in Kris Kringle fashion, claims to actually live at the North Pole, where he spends his time “making toys.”)
Ismail moves brilliantly through these different roles, one moment being the exasperated elf who must smile when a father tells him he looks real stupid, the next acting the furious parent who threatens her daughter if she doesn’t stop crying and smile for the photo with Santa, and the next portraying the Santa who is asked to put his “arm around Amy and shake hands with Paul” at the same time.
In between, Mr. Ismail hustles through a major costume change (a highlight of the show, as he dons his elf costume, complete with the over-sized red slippers) and occasionally runs into the audience. It seems an exhausting hour and fifteen minutes, but he appeared perfectly at ease with the role’s many characters and moods, not to mention the extensive script he had to have in mind throughout the performance.
Simply stated, Mr. Ismail delivers a terrific performance.
And he is aided by a great set (designed by Justin D. Munoz and built by Paul Kreutz) that looks just like the SantaLand we remember from our youth (a highlight of the performance occurs when the full SantaLand set is displayed for the first time). Other credits are merited for the aforementioned picture-perfect costume (credited to Mari Carson), the many props Mr. Ismail handles, the excellent lighting (designed by Ron Madonia) as he bounds around the stage and through the audience, and the occasional musical accompaniment (sound design by Ed Lee).
Indeed, while this is definitely a one-man show, it is also a show that has many hands at work behind the scenes. All involved have created a holiday-themed play that might even bring a tear to your eye while giving you a better appreciation for the commercial side of the holiday. “SantaLand Diaries” is highly recommended for all but the very young and those who would be offended by some nasty language or by seeing themselves portrayed in a light they might not want to accept.
Performances of “SantaLand Diaries” continue at the Capital Stage Theater (2215 J Street) through December 31. Tickets and information are available by phone at 916-995-5464 or online at www.capstage.org.