There is a play for the Grinches and Scrooges of the world.

John Robinson, star of the upcoming production “The Santaland Diaries” at Des Moines’ Vaudeville Mews, says his play is for everyone who isn’t bursting at the seams with Christmas cheer this holiday season.

“Lots of people get depressed around Christmas,” Robinson says. “This gives voice to all the people that want to complain about Christmas, but feel it’s not ‘PC’ to complain about Christmas.”

The play, written by best-selling author and National Public Radio commentator David Sedaris, is a humorous account of a slacker at Christmastime who, being out of work, takes a job as an elf at Macy’s department store.

The catch is that “Diaries” is a true story, based on the day-to-day experiences of Sedaris himself.

“He’s basically kind of a slacker guy, you know, maybe smoked pot once or twice, but he’s smart,” Robinson says. “He’s obviously an intellectual. He’s just working day jobs to support his art.”

Robinson was hand-picked to play the role by John Bush, a nationally acclaimed comedian who directed “The Santaland Diaries” last year. Bush, who has appeared in several major network series and has done stand-up comedy on HBO, Comedy Central and NBC, was in Des Moines as part of the traveling comedy show “Triple Espresso.” He saw Robinson in a production at Vaudeville Mews and told him he’d fit Sedaris’ character perfectly.

Robinson says he does fit the character well, since he is the same sort of “starving artist,” taking on odd jobs to support a less-than-lucrative career.

“I’ve been trying to make a living as an actor in Iowa, which is not at all easy,” Robinson says. “So I can totally relate to this character.”

The production made its six-night debut last December at Vaudeville Mews, which Robinson says is a great place for a one-man play, since it is a relatively small venue where he can connect with the audience well. The response was so overwhelming — the majority of the shows were sold out — that Robinson and company decided to do the play again this year, but for three weeks instead of one.

The comedy has undergone several changes since last year, including a redesigned set and, more importantly, a new director. Last year’s stage manager Jaysene Overton has been chosen to fill the role. Robinson says Overton has been instrumental in keeping the play from getting stale in its sophomore year.

“It’s been a little bit of a challenge trying to come up with a fresh perspective,” Robinson says. “That’s where Jaysene helps a lot in looking at it in new and different ways.”

Robinson, the play’s only character, describes it as a cross between stand-up comedy and dramatic monologue that appeals to all age groups. However, he usually tells people it is rated PG-13, because of some strong language and adult humor.

Robinson says there’s one main reason people should come see his play.

“David Sedaris is a brilliant writer,” he says, “and the play is hilarious.”

What: “The Santaland Diaries”

Where: Vaudeville Mews,212 4th St., Des Moines

When: Dec. 2-Dec. 19

Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees, 3 p.m.

Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door