A repeat performance of “Santaland Diaries” will make its way onto the Turnage Theatre stage Friday.

The short story is by renowned author and Raleigh native David Sedaris and is based on his experience playing the role of an elf at Macy’s department store “Santaland” in New York City.

This is the second year running that “Santaland Diaries” has been performed at the downtown Washington theater. What’s unique about the performance is that there’s no need to stage it as a play, according to Joey Toler, executive director of Arts of the Pamlico. Sedaris’ story will be a staged reading only — the actors will read from the script — but the performance has just as much of an impact as a full production, he said.

“It’s funny, it’s insightful, it’s familiar and it’s for mature elves only due to strong language and adult situations,” Toler said. “It’s certainly something a little different for the holidays. It sort of punches through the pageantry. … People who are familiar with David Sedaris will really enjoy it and people who are not, it’s a really great introduction.”

At 8 p.m., the curtain will rise for the reading by a trio of past and present residents: Scott Campbell, Rob Southern (who has relocated to Raleigh) and Ronald Lundy.

Toler said the holiday laugh-out-loud entertainment was a huge hit last year.

“There were chuckles coming from the crowd the entire time, an undercurrent of chuckling and then there were the big laughs,” Toler said. “It’s really a lot of fun.”

Arts of the Pamlico has hosted a lineup of six different events over the holiday season, including last weekend’s Jennifer Licko’s “A Celtic Christmas” and the HeART of the City concert featuring the Beaufort County Choral Society and the handbell choir River City Ringers.

“This is the last holiday program,” Toler said. “We had about half a dozen events and we’re ending with this and it’s a great way to wrap it up.”

No tickets are being sold for “Santaland Diaries.” Instead, a $5 donation to Arts of the Pamlico is suggested.

The Turnage Theatre is located at 150 W. Main St., Washington. For more information, call Arts of the Pamlico at 252-946-2504.