Sure, after four years, it may be San Diego tradition to take the kids to How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Globe Theatres. In 2001, however, the company is considering the adults with a three week run of David Sedaris' cynical satire of Christmas, The SantaLand Diaries, playing on the Cassius Carter Centre Stage Dec. 14-31.

Sedaris, known for his books of humorous musings "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and "Naked," wrote SantaLand Diaries as an essay for National Public Radio in 1992. Joe Mantello (Love! Valor! Compassion!) adapted and directed the piece for the stage.

In this one-man comedy, a Macy's elf christened Crumpet (his real name is David) goes from scoffing at a seasonal employment ad for the New York megastore to actually donning the tights and curly-toed shoes of one of Santa's helpers. Needless to say, all is not joy and light in Santa's workshop as Christmas Eve approaches.

Arnie Burton stars as David/Crumpet. His New York credits include Broadway's Amadeus and Mere Mortals, The Baltimore Waltz, King Lear, Othello and Translating Andrew. For the Globe, he's taken roles in The Seagull, All in the Timing, The Country Wife, King Lear and Julius Caesar.

Brendan Fox directs. Designing the show are David Ledsinger (sets), Trevor Norton (lighting), Charlotte Devaux-Shields (costumes) and Paul Peterson (sound). Tickets are $40-$45. The Globe Theatres are located in Balboa Park. For reservations, call (619) 239 2255. The Globe Theatres are on the web at http://www.theglobetheatres.org.

— By Christine Ehren