Renowned humorist and author of many books, David Sedaris appeared at the Matthews Theatre at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ, October 3, 2024.

Princetonians enjoy what has been an annual appearance by the published wit and author. The theatre was packed with admirers of his books, articles, and TV appearances, which included both young and the seasoned.

No program, or even a helpful paragraph, was provided, so I  rely solely upon memory. I regret that the two books Mr. Sedaris praised, the two authors, and his guest all escape my memory.

Sedaris began his talk with his usual comments about what he was wearing and why. He spoke of being in London recently,  and buying a distinctive sport coat mainly because he felt that would justify his wearing eccentric shoes. He stepped out from behind his lectern to audience laughter. He described his shoes as being odd, more like a doll’s pair than an adult’s.  

He then proceeded to introduce a warm-up act, as it were, of a famed author which he admired. He explained that she had been a student of his once who stood out from the rest of the college class as being intelligent. The young woman came out and read from her book. Her excerpt was her story about the new pet dog, and her and her teenage son’s relationship to the dog. Her style was droll, and informed by an upper, middle-class sensibility. In her tale, she was divorced, and engaged in intense retrospection and analysis, especially of her son and their new pet. Her son, named Atlas, was labeled by psychological experts as troubled, and fragile, so we were encouraged to dote upon his status as a fragile flower, who happens to have flashes of insightful wit. The pet enjoyed urinating, defecating, and biting them both, which apparently made tje dog much beloved. Her story ended with a heart-tugging observation which prompted the enraptured audience to applaud her warmly.

Our star humorist then proceeded to explain how he and dozens of other comedians, wits, and funny people were invited to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis. He detailed the who, what,, when, and why of the meeting. Sedaris mentioned Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and Jim Gaffigan as being among the many English speakers, and a large Italian contingent of humorists as well. The audience was at 6:45 am. He spoke of an oddity that he found arresting. The Pontiff had said “Faggotry” not once but twice in a two-week period in public. When he mentioned the Pope apologized both times, he chalked it up not to evil intent or bias, but to old age, which got a laugh. Sedaris also told an amusing anecdote of going to a Vatican tailor to have a cassock made for him. The best joke he told was that the cassock had 33 tiny buttons, which made Sedaris wish that Christ was crucified at age 12. A hearty laugh for some on that one.

If you wish to read the New Yorker article from September 2, 2024, titled “The Hem of His Garment,” it can be Googled, or found on www.newyorker.com .

Being a famed raconteur, Sedaris then regaled us with his visit to an isolated island off the coast of Maine, where he and his husband Hugh joined a few others to visit his husband’s old friend. After a few days they headed for the ferry where Hugh Hamrick began a prolonged snit about anything that interfered with a steady journey home to New York. Supposedly,  Sedaris has said he and Hugh will never marry, while calling him husband.

Sedaris read from his diary, and told us a few dirty limericks. One especially toothsome bit of humor began with “Why is Jesus such a bad lover?” Answer? “Because He always wants to come into your heart.” 

The elfin 5’5″ millionaire Sedaris can be seen often on CBS Sunday Morning, and tours indefatigably. He tours in the USA until winter 2025, when he goes to Australia and New Zealand. For his publications, touring dates, and biography, visit 

www.dsedarisbooks.com .