MONMOUTH — Theater at Monmouth will present the cult holiday hit, “The Santaland Diaries,” starting with a preview at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22.

Opening night is Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 29 and 30, and Dec. 1; and 1 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25, and Dec. 1 and 2, at the theater at 796 Main St.

The adaptation by Joe Mantello is from David Sedaris’ best-selling book “Holidays on Ice.” The modern holiday classic, made famous when it aired on National Public Radio, recounts the tale of Sedaris’ stint as a Macy’s Department Store elf named Crumpet. Sedaris’ off-kilter, witty and often sentimental holiday memoir — it’s not suitable for children — will have audiences laughing.

“The Santaland Diaries” features theater favorite Mike Anthony as Crumpet, the quintessential elf-gone-bad, as he relates a series of merry misadventures in this antidote for holiday havoc. Santa’s little helper during Macy’s Christmas shopping rush handles the hordes of insufferable shoppers and their kiddos with whacked out wisdom and wicked humor.

Producing Artistic Director Dawn McAndrews explained, “You know that old saying when something goes terribly wrong, ‘Someday we will laugh about this’? Well, that’s exactly what David Sedaris has done; he’s taken the memory of an awful job during a rough year in his life, and turned it into a delightfully funny and deliciously decadent lesson for us all.”

David Sedaris made his NPR debut in 1992, when he read his essay titled “The Santaland Diaries” on the show “Morning Edition.” He also has been a frequent contributor on NPR’s popular radio show, “This American Life,” all of which has contributed to his reputation as one of America’s top humorists.

Sedaris’ story was adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello and premiered Nov. 7, 1996, at the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York City.

Tickets for the Thanksgiving Day performance are $10 with the donation of a nonperishable food item for the Monmouth Food Pantry. Nonperishable food donations will be accepted at all performances.

Tickets for all other performances are $28.

For tickets, contact the TAM box office at 207-933-9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.