If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be one of Santa’s elves at Christmastime, “The SantaLand Diaries” gives you the inside scoop, a scoop of coal, that is, right in your Christmas stocking that will crack you up with laughter.

Jarrod Yuskauskas, in the role of David in the one-man show, does the heavy lifting. The result is heavy laughter.

The character of David is based on David Sedaris, whose essay about working as an Elf in “SantaLand” in Macy’s Herald Square, New York City, store, was adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello. The Civic production, directed by Will Morris, continues through Dec. 18 in Civic Theatre514, Allentown.

Morris sets the stage, along with Helene Confer, Sound Designer, and Deena Linn, in charge of Props, creating a hubbub of anticipation with Christmas songs (including The Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas, Darling”) and recorded public address announcements (“Store opens in five minutes. Get ready. Ho, ho, ho.”) in the “SantaLand” break room: schedule calendar, clothes rack with costumes, coffee station with working microwave (the better to heat those “Hot Pockets”), table and chairs, Santa throne and big red star.

Mary Rinfret is Assistant Director. Alex Michaels is Technical Director. Drake Nester is Production Stage Manager.

David (Yuskauskas) takes the stage: baseball cap backwards, shirt out, white T-shirt underneath, jeans and slip-on shoes. He talks directly to the audience, often engaging in ad libs. David, 33, moved to New York City three weeks ago, watches the TV soap, “One Life To Live,” and is desperate for a job, amidst a roomful of applicants who’ve succumbed to up-talk (“ ... punctuated with a question mark.”).

Yuskauskas is not a small person, yet once he dons the Elf costume (crown cap with bells, yellow- and green-trimmed smock, green shorts, candy-cane striped leggings and, yes, ruby slippers), he seems to fold into himself. Sitting on the Santa throne, his feet don’t touch the floor (clever design and meticulous direction by Morris, that).

Utilizing the entire space, the aisles (even to walking through a row of seated theater patrons) Yuskauskas is a bundle of energy as he warms to the role, imitating all manner (and some ill-mannered) of patrons (children, parents), store management and co-workers (co-elves?), in a variety of accents as he takes us behind the scenes of “SantaLand.”

As Crumpet the Elf, Yuskauskas plays to type (“forced merriment”). As David, he plays against type (self-reflecting, observational). He moves easily from portrayal to portrayal with split-second timing. The stage business is wonderful (mixing a cocktail, for instance).

The one-hour and 15-minute one-act show whizzes by with humor, insight and wisdom, concluding bittersweetly, but not sentimentally.

Yes, David’s a “grown man in a velvet costume,” but as portrayed by Yuskauskas and directed by Morris, he will get you in touch with your inner child. You may never want to leave “SantaLand.”

“The SantaLand Diaries,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 16, 17; 2 p.m. Dec. 18, Theatre514, 514 N. 19th St., Allentown. Tickets: Civic Theatre Box Office, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown; CivicTheatre.com, 610-432-8943