Pictured: Matt Crowle

The Goodman will present Joe Mantello’s adaptation of David Sedaris’ THE SANTALAND DIARIES this December, starring Matt Crowle and directed by Steve Scott. The solo performance piece centers on astrapped-for-cash struggling actor who takes a job as “Crumpet,” an elf at Macy’s Santaland. Goodman’s production runs November 30 – December 30 in the Owen Theatre tickets ($15-45) went on sale today by telephone 312.443.3800 or at GoodmanTheatre.org/Santaland.

“I’ve been a fan of David Sedaris’ unique voice and trenchant wit for many years now, and I’m thrilled to be able to bring that voice to the stage of the Owen Theatre,” said Scott. “I’m equally happy to be working again with Matt Crowle, whom I first directed years ago when he was my student at the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University. Matt’s now well-known comic sensibility is a perfect match for David’s darkly hilarious take on one of our most esteemed Christmas traditions.”

Crowle’s Broadway and national tour credits include Monty Python’s SPAMALOT and DOCTOR DOLITTLE starring Tommy Tune. Chicago and regional theater credits include Drury Lane Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Paramount Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Saint Michael’s Playhouse, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Gateway Playhouse, Skylight Music Theatre and The MUNY. His television credits include THE CHI and EMPIRE. Crowle is an Artistic Associate with Porchlight Music Theatre where, this winter, he’ll star as all eight doomed members of the D’Ysquith Family in the Chicago premiere of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.

Sedaris debuted THE SANTALAND DIARIES as an essay on NPR in 1992. It was then published in his essay collections “Barrel Fever” and “Holidays on Ice” before being adapted by Mantello into a one-act, one-man stage production, which premiered at Atlantic Theater Company in 1996 and performed across the nation for over the past two decades, including annually at Chicago’s Theater Wit for a number of years.