We need a little Christmas! Right this very season! Santa Claus & Buddy— and Toby’s has a reason— yes, they’ve got a little Christmas, right this very minute— they’ve got a little Christmas now! What finer way to welcome the world back to live theatre in the round than with all of the warmth, delight, and exuberant cheer that a Christmas musical can bring? Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia is giving the world exactly what they want and need this summer-long season. Elf! (The musical!) Directed and Choreographed by Mark Minnick with Musical Direction by Ross Scott Rawlings, Elf is a feel-good, comforting production that wraps everyone in that ‘spirit-of-Christmas’ hug that we all too often forget should be felt and shared year-round! Based on the classic New Line Cinema film of the same name, Elf is— as the big musical number says— ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’— and above all, it’s a heartfelt experience for the whole family!
Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer, David A. Hopkins, has splashed cheery falderal on every corner and every nook, giving the Toby’s scenery and props the full-on Christmas look. Between the vibrant rolling elf-mobiles, which are both adorable and effective when it comes to crafting the illusion of ‘tiny elves’ so that Buddy’s ‘human hugeness’ shines through, and that mesmerizing Christmas tree (featured during “Sparklejollytwinklejingley”), Hopkins has the holiday spirit well in hand. But festive festooning isn’t Hopkins’ only success in this production, the practical furnishings of scenes like the Hobbs’ home or the office inside the Empire State building fill the stage in a cozy but uncluttered fashion. And his execution of lighting suits all of the frenetic, pulsing energy that radiates through the major dance routines featured during the production. There are praises to be had for all of the miraculous special effects that one can only get at Christmas time, thanks to Hopkins’ intimate knowledge of the space, his attention to detail, and his willingness to spread holiday cheer even in the summeriest time of the year.
Adding to the production’s overall vivacity is Costume Designer Janine Sunday, whose work is based on the original costume designs of Gregg Barnes. Rich, saturated jewel tones catch the eye in all the ‘elf wear’ right from the real elves of Santa’s North Pole workshop to the more striped-sleeved variety in the Macy’s department store scene. Buddy’s elf costume is the spitting image of the Will Ferrell cinema couture, which features shades of rich emeralds making him pop in a crowd. Even the ‘human’ outfits are on point for the Christmas season in New York City, with lots of layers and warm hats; Jovie’s Christmas Eve sparkle dress is the best non-elf costume in the production.
Musically the production is nothing less than the signature sound of excellence that Musical Director Ross Scott Rawlings has honed his reputation on over the years. With a company of just 14 performers, Rawlings works his musical magic to ensure that each full-ensemble number is hearty, filling the entire theatre. Harmonies are smoothly blended, lyrics are crisply presented, and ultimately the emotional integrity, which in this Christmas musical is gleeful joy for 90% of the musical numbers, rings true through every song.
Director and Choreographer Mark Minnick has assembled an incredible ensemble of performers putting their skills on magnificent display, filling each moment on stage with live-storytelling that brings honest smiles, and that glowing, feel-good sensation that fills your heart to bursting all throughout the show. Minnick’s smaller cast never feels ‘limited’ or restricted; it’s truly astonishing how populated the stage feels, even with just a handful of ensemble performing as the crowds of New York City or the leagues of disgruntled Santas. Minnick captures the essence of Christmas cheer, particularly in Buddy the Elf’s engaging enthusiasm, and spreads it all around so that every audience member feels the true spirit of Christmas all throughout the production.
Minnick and the ensemble work with precision to present lush, splashy choreography that fills the in-the-round space while supporting the tone and vibe of each musical number. “Nobody Cares About Santa”, a jazzy, swing-rag number, has Buddy and just about every remaining male performer in the cast (Brandon Bedore, David James, Shane Lowry, DeCarlo Raspberry, and AJ Whittenberger) doing some crafty and clever chair-dance moves in time to the snazzy music. Minnick’s choreography features a variety of routines, each one unique but featuring similar thematic moves, all executed immaculately with radiant energy. Watch the shed-costume dance moves during “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” and absorb the awe. The “Finale” features the tinsel-wreath shuffle that will truly but the seasonal Santa-style smile on your face.
Short of the five main principles, every member of the ensemble is tripling and quadrupling down in multiple roles all throughout the production and they deserve the highest levels of praise. Character transitions are precise and clean, without simply appearing to be “same actor/different costume” and each of the ensemble performers finds some fun way to articulate all of their different stage entities. AJ Whittenberger gets to play a grumpy-faced, entitled teenage when sitting up on ‘Fake Santa’s’ lap but is hardly recognizable as one of the smiling, care-free ‘ice-skating’ couples in Central Park. (Praises and props to everyone on the in-line roller blades, gliding around the stage creating the wondrous illusion of ice-skating at Christmas!) Crystal Freeman’s standout character is the “Fabulous” girl in the Macy’s department store. Spraying perform, shrieking “That’s Fabulous” at the top of her lungs in response to anything directed at her character, Freeman steals that scene and gives everyone in the audience a hearty laugh.
Kalen Robinson, who plays several ensemble characters as well as ‘bubbly office assistant Deb’ and Mrs. Claus, has enough pizzazz to carry shining smiles of cheer all throughout the show. Robinson’s Deb is spunky and chipper, kind when interacting with Buddy and quick with comic one-liners, while her portrayal of Mrs. Claus is endearing and charming in that ‘true-spirit-of-Christmas’ way. Resident character-man David James plays a half dozen or so characters, each with a quirky personality. Whether it’s chatty Charlie the Elf having cute conversations with Tiara Elf (Alexis Krey), the kindly old building security man, or the candy-cane-crushing grump, Mr. Greenway, James brings a uniquely different personality and physicality to each portrayal he flashes on the stage.
Speaking of having exquisite differentiation skills in the character separation department, DeCarlo Raspberry is bringing his game face, doubling up as THE Santa Claus (who serves as the story’s narrator and intermittent in-scene character) and the Macy’s Department Store Manager. As Santa, Raspberry gives us the aged, weary physicality of a fantastical entity who has done hundreds of Christmas Eve global flights while toting the world’s heaviest toy pack upon his back. He’s jovial, jubilant, and undoubtedly delivering that twinkly sparkle that can only belong to the true Santa Claus. There isn’t a hint of that physicality or true cheerful spirit to bleed over into Raspberry’s portrayal of the Store Manager; snappy, loud, and a ramrod straight spine is being served up in full force for this bombastic and lively character. Raspberry gets to showcase his sonorous vocal skills, singing with vigor as the manager in “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” and “Nobody Cares About Santa” and as Santa in “Happy All the Time” and the “Finale” where that congenial spirit of Christmas soars through his exquisite sound.
Frigid like a snowflake, Jovie (MaryKate Brouillet) blows hot and cold about Buddy the Elf. Brouillet does a fantastic job of finding balance in the character’s personality, molding her into someone who’s just had her dreams crushed and melted one too many times, rather than a stock stereotype of something completely jaded and unapproachable. Bringing a conviviality to Jovie in touching moments like “A Christmas Song”, which happens at the ‘Ice Rink’. Brouillet makes Jovie an earnest character that the audience can easily care about, making her second act number, “Never Fall In Love (With An Elf)” a hilarious little jazz-styled ditty that gives her a chance to showcase her vocal style as well as her depth as a performer.
Who knew The Hobbs Family is what Buddy the Elf would find when he finally gets to New York? Emily Hobbs (Janine Sunday) and Michael Hobbs (at this performance, Luka Van Herksen) are great foils to the surly, grumpy, frowning, business-minded Mr. Walter Hobbs (David Bosley-Reynolds), and together Emily and Michael grow in extraordinary ways that capture the essence of the season. In their first solo duet, “I’ll Believe In You”, Sunday and Van Herksen find beautiful harmonies together, with Sunday’s voice entwining around Van Herksen’s like a comforting maternal hug. The pair are perfect together, playing mother and son, with that cautious optimism that Santa Claus might really be able to bring them the one thing they both want for Christmas— a day home with Mr. Hobbs. Both Van Herksen and Sunday fit like a warm winter glove over their roles, with Van Herksen’s crisp articulation during his songs really making him a performer worth noting. David Bosley-Reynolds, as the aforementioned “too-busy-to-be-dad-of-the-year” type, fills the shoes of the great grumbling corporate-driven oaf with aplomb, giving the audience a full ‘Scrooge-style-360°’, which is endearing to watch.
With a bubbly buoyancy that just squeals innocence and naivete, Jeffrey Shankle takes up the titular role of Buddy the Elf, giving a performance like no other. Bouncy, chipper, and filled with this childlike wonder, which makes each ‘human’ discovery a marvel of mysterious proportions, Shankle charms his way into the Greenway Office building, the Hobbs’ family home, and the hearts of the audience. With silly facial expressions, fluid and fleet footwork when it comes to dance features, and an overall perky nature that can only be descried as elfish, Shankle fills out the bill of Buddy the Elf soundly. And he’s singing— he’s happy all the time so he’s singing! And you’ll hear him singing beautifully all throughout songs like “Just Like Him” and “A Christmas Song.” He’s singing and smiling and dancing and delivering a well-rounded, fully-engaging, colorful Christmas performance that just delights from start to finish.
You don’t realize how Buddy-centric the show is until see you Shankle dashing in and out of nearly every scene; Shankle is exceptionally spry— especially on the in-line ‘ice skates’— and has an unyielding energy that drives him from the top of the show through the adorably cute curtain call after “The Finale.” Painting a picture with his vividly descriptive delivery during “World’s Greatest Dad”, Shankle takes you along for the ride and has you seeing exactly how he and his human dad will spend their first day together, just as soon as he meets him. “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” is the number where Shankle transforms a floor full of negative nellies and bah-humbug decor into a sugar-coated Chrstmas rush filled with glee and glitter of the voice and soul. And the honesty that Shankle brings to the more somber moments of the production, like when he has to plead to the world to believe in Santa, is truly touching. Jeffrey Shankle as Buddy the Elf is a Christmas Miracle all summer long that you just won’t want to miss!
If you’re short of cheer, then hurry on over to Toby’s for this magical ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’ production of Elf. It’s truly the Christmas gift the world needs right now, even if it is summertime… actually, especially because it’s summertime. Cool off and jolly-up with Buddy the Elf and all of his friends at Elf all summer long.
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission
Elf plays through August 22, 2021 at Toby’s the Dinner Theatre of Columbia— 5900 Symphony Woods Road in Columbia, MD. For tickets please call (410) 730-8311 or purchase them online.
