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Ugly Christmas sweaters and David Sedaris’ readings return to Rep Stage

Megan Kuhn

Michael Stebbins will read four short stories from David Sedaris’ “Holidays on Ice” and “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk” at Rep Stage in Columbia, Md. Performances will be held Dec. 20-Dec. 23. Photo courtesy of Rep Stage.

Rep Stage celebrates tacky Christmas sweaters as part of its reading of humorist David Sedaris’ holiday essays. The Columbia, Md., theater presents its latest Sedaris production, “Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris,” starting Dec. 20, complete with tchotchke prizes for extra festive attire.

Rep Stage Producing Artistic Director Michael Stebbins will read short stories culled from Sedaris’ “Holidays on Ice” and “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk.” Sedaris pokes fun at holiday form letters. His stories also feature barnyard animals that decide to play Secret Santa and a mean-spirited theater critic who attacks the quality of elementary school holiday pageants.

“The pieces are a little twisted I’ve heard people call him [Sedaris] the Mark Twain of today,” Stebbins said. The self-proclaimed “Sedaris-aholic” added, “We’ve done serious plays, but there’s nothing like the sound of communal laughter. You remember that part of theater is the entertainment factor. It’s a healthy way to take a break from the commercialism of the season.”

Sedaris productions have become a holiday tradition of sorts at Rep Stage, which presented a play based on “The Santaland Diaries” for two seasons. When Stebbins was organizing the 2012-2013 Rep Stage schedule, he initially thought these productions had run their course, but subscriber interest changed his mind.

In Rep Stage’s latest run, Stebbins said he is careful not to give too much voice to the many characters that pop up in Sedaris’ stories. Stebbins approach is to communicate in a way that allows the audience to “conjure up images.”

“Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris” is playing at Rep Stage in Columbia Dec. 20-Dec. 23. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. There is a 2 p.m. matinée Sunday. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 443-518-1500.