Elf: The Musical

Book by Thomas Meehan Bob Martin

Music by Matthew Sklar

Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Based on the New Line Cinema film by David Berenbaum

Directed by Charlotte Taylor

Produced by CenterStage Theatre Works

Audience Rating: G

Run Time: 2 hours 30 min, including one 15 min intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available

Production Sound Level: Comfortable Volume

Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: None of Note

Reviewed by Jenny Wood

There’s a meme going around about generational Christmas movies, and apparently I am of the Elf generation – except I’ve never actually seen the movie. Or watched a trailer for the movie. So I’m not a person who can tell you how similar or not the musical is to the movie featuring Will Ferrell as the titular Elf – but I can tell you this musical is FUN.

I saw it on a bitterly cold and rainy Saturday afternoon, and, as mentioned, had only a vague idea what I was in for: Buddy (Thomas Schnaible) is a human boy who has been raised as an Elf, but now, at age 30, it is time to leave the North Pole and go find his grinch-y human father Walter Hobbs (Eric Levy/Joey O’Reilly).

Frisco Discovery Center’s black box theater provides a cozy home to Katie Purdin’s multilevel set, which centers a grand and cleverly constructed Christmas tree to immediately set the tone. Allison Kingwell and Ellie Nunemaker’s elf costumes are an absolute treat, bold and cheery without restricting Kyra Jacobs’ choreography.

As Santa and Ms. Claus, Alidor Lefere and Vivian Reed establish the narrative framework with bright humor. Schainble very successfully carries the plot by infusing his Buddy with sincerity and joy - this is not a Will Ferrell tribute show.

He is supported by a committed and energetic ensemble that embodies a warm holiday spirit. Lauren Rodriguez’s jaded Jovie is an endearing foil to the syrupy sweetness. Katie Purdin plays Buddy’s blindsided step mother Emily Hobbs with empathy and grace, providing a persistent undercurrent to keep Buddy and Walter moving forward in their respective journeys.

As happens sometimes in live theatre, unexpected circumstances arise and a swing steps in - here, such circumstances presented themselves sometime between final dress and Opening Night, and with no swing available, Music Director Joey O’Reilly temporarily joined the cast as Walter Hobbs to very fine effect (Eric Levy is expected to return to the role December 12).

Director Charlotte Taylor acknowledges this and other challenges in her director’s note and curtain speech, concluding with the sentiment that despite it all, if we leave the show with a bit more joy and a smile, they’ve achieved their goal - and by that metric the production is a resounding success.

Elf continues through December 15, CSTheatreWorks.com for Tickets and information.

Cheers!

Jenny