Photo Flash: First Look at Maryland Ensemble Theatre THE SANTALAND DIARIES, Opening Tonight

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to present the cult holiday classic, The Santaland Diaries, adapted by Joe Mantello from the essay by humorist and best selling author David Sedaris. Sedaris' hilarious account of his time as an elf in Macy's Santaland display will run every Thursday through Sunday at Maryland Ensemble Theatre from December 6 through 29. Check out a first look below!

Based on Sedaris' real life experience, The Santaland Diaries, tells the tale of a struggling actor in New York City who out of necessity takes seasonal work asCrumpet the Elf in Macy's department store's Santaland Village. The comic holiday adventure chronicles Sedaris' humiliation, frustration and ultimately his hopefulness all told though his masterful sardonic wit.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre has produced The Santaland Diaries twice previously. In 2004 Kevin Corbett portrayed the irritable elf and then in 2008 actress and MET Ensemble Member Rona Mensah stepped into the role. MET's 2013 production reunites Mensah and the director of the 2008 production,Suzanne Beal. "I had a wonderful time directing Rona in Santaland the first time. She is such a talented and responsive actor. And lots of fun to work with. The piece itself is very funny - a bit irreverent but it has a generous spirit. It is a antidote to the overly sentimentalized Christmas stories without being mean-spirited. And, of course, Rona is just terrific!" said Beal who was recently named the co-Artistic Director of REP Stage. Mensah's portrayal also presents a few unique wrinkles, "There is one section where race is brought up and it's interesting how different the meaning is as an African American woman playing the role as opposed to a white male", said Mensah. "Also, any section that addresses women and their bodies gets a whole new meaning being played by a woman." The success of the show with MET audiences has warranted a third production and Mensah thinks she knows why, "because it's a VERY FUNNY SHOW. If you want your holidays served up with a side of sarcasm, then this is the play to see."

Tickets to The Santaland Diaries are $15 (Thursdays) through $24 and can be purchased at 301.694.4744, marylandensemble.org or in person at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre box office. This show is made possible in part through the support of MET's season sponsors including Comcast, The Frederick Gorilla, Key 103, Eagle 106.9, Ausherman Family Foundation, Mark A Pitts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, The Frederick News Post and both the Frederick and Maryland Arts Councils.

Photo Credit: Joe Williams