In 2003 actor/comedian Will Ferrell oozed his way into the hearts and minds of people worldwide as Buddy the Elf in the Christmas smash motion picture Elf. So popular was the film that, worldwide, it grossed $223.9 million…quite a feat for a film with a production budget of $33 million! A few years later it was turned into a musical with a score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, and book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan. It ran on Broadway during the Christmas seasons of 2010-2011/2012-2013 and has also toured extensively during holiday times. And, as such things go, finally community theatre groups got their hands on the rights and, when that happens, lucky audiences are treated to the blockbuster musical during the holiday season. Case in point: Third Wall Productions (Phoenix, MD) production of Elf The Musical opened this past weekend to a rousing reception and enthusiastic houses. And for good reason. This production is heartfelt, joyous and will get anyone in the Christmas spirit.
Director Kristen Cooley has done a great job in casting the show with a cornucopia of local talent, and in coaxing the best out of these talented folks. The scenes move with effortless fluidity and flair which teeters from the dramatic to the emotional to the comedic, all of which carries the show through its subtle nuances of character/plot development. Cooley has kept true to the story and the end result is a show that will entertain, inspire and, at times, hit you right in the feels.
Choreographer Becky Titelman gets these actors moving! Her choreography is not complex, but it would be unfair to call it simple. The dancing is clever and energetic. Titelman has put together some great moves, especially in some of the larger group numbers.
Music director Nancy Williams-Nettles has put together a pit of talented musicians that are experts in their craft. Having a live pit (as opposed to often found “canned music”) is always a welcome find in a community production. The musicians are seated on the other side of a makeshift wall from the House, away from the view of the audience. They sounded wonderful. Williams-Nettles also gets these actors to sing in glorious harmonies and strong solos.
Sound was handled by Charles Hirsch and Sam Rudai, and these guys did a good job of making sure we could hear the on-stage action with clarity. If one had to pick nits, there were several occasions where the pit overshadowed the vocals, and it was difficult if not impossible to hear the lyrics in certain numbers. But the balancing act of orchestra/microphones is admittedly such a technological high wire balancing act that it must be pointed out that these occasions were the exception and not the rule. By and large, the balance was kept in check and there were no issues.
Lighting was handled by Jim Shomo and Casey Watts, and they made sure that the action on stage was well lit, using a mixture of lights and gels to set the mood of the scene. Costuming was a group effort, listed in the program as being handled by Amy Rudai, Jenifer Hollett, Liz Marion, Caitlin Johnston & The Cast. All the costumes were character appropriate and natural.
The cast that brings this delightful Christmas musical to life is made up of adults and kids alike who obviously love being on stage. The enthusiasm is contagious. Carrying the show as Buddy the Elf is Jake Schwartz. Schwartz channels his best Will Ferrell while adding his own unique twist to the naïve, loving and unlikely hero who loves hugs. Schwartz advised this reviewer post-show that he also took as inspiration his students (he’s a middle school teacher). This is a big role and Schwartz not only takes it on but makes it appear effortless. With few exceptions, he is on stage most of the show and not only does he make the role his own, but does so with great singing chops and a vast array of acting skills that will leave audience members laughing at his antics and tearing with emotion for the newly discovered human who wants nothing more than to be loved and accepted, and winds up saving the day with his, dare I say, elfish enthusiasm.
The object of Buddy’s affection is a pretty girl named Jovie (Tia Silver). Silver plays a character who is a bit jaded with the way of the world. She’s been wronged before, doesn’t have the best taste in men and, well, just isn’t in the Christmas spirit. Silver plays the jaded/not interested part with cunning convincing prowess and it’s strangely satisfying to watch her transformation throughout the show due to her involvement with Buddy. No spoilers here, but by the end her reformation had this reviewer tearing up. When Buddy tells her towards the end that he thought she was mad at him, she responds “I was…but then you made it snow.” Does anyone have a tissue?
Rounding out Buddy’s dysfunctional “human” family is a trio of folks, each with their own issues. The patriarch, Walter Hobbs (Bryan Brown) is a businessman who has lost not only the meaning of Christmas but of family. His ego is as tall as his stature, and he pushes aside everything and anyone for work. Even when he learns that he has another son (confirmed via a DNA check folks!), he reluctantly accepts then later rejects him although we do see glimpses of emotion as he talks with Buddy about his late mother so there must be something deep inside him…it just needs to be reached and nurtured. Such characters are a joy to watch in this type of show because the more stodgy they are the more intense their ultimate reformation becomes. Walter’s wife Emily (Liz Marion) is a kind soul but stopped believing in Santa a long time ago. She is keenly hurt at her husband’s pushing aside of her and their son Michael (Reagan Roop), and truly believes the spirit of Christmas to be a thing of the past, consigned to childhood long since forgotten. Leave it to Buddy to change that, and oh my…Marion’s excitement when seeing Santa’s sleigh in the sky is like rediscovering a joy long since pushed to the depths of one’s subconscious. Regan’s portrayal of the son whose only Christmas wish is to spend the day with his dad is believable and heartbreaking. You just want to hug this kid. Mom/Dad/Son will sing and dance their way into your hearts.
Walter Hobb’s secretary, Deb (Meg Smith) is a professional yet kindhearted soul who wants so badly to help. In fact, her offering to “save the day” (a Christmas story to pitch to Walter’s boss) is hysterical. Speaking of the “boss”, Patrick Rudloph portrays two roles (Manager at Macy’s & Mr. Greenway, Hobbs’ boss). In both roles he bellows and barks his way around the stage, full of hot air and self-importance. As Mr. Greenway, one feels bad for him at the end as he exclaims that he hasn’t spent Christmas with his family in years, which prompts a kiss from Buddy before he storms off. No further plot is given to his character, but one almost hopes upon hope that Buddy’s kiss will perform some magic on this puffy man, so that he, too, may learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Santa himself (yes, there IS a Santa Claus!) is none other than Third Wall Productions current President, Mike Zellhofer. And yes, Zellhofer is the one and only Santa Claus, not to be confused by the other “fake” department store Santas. Unlike the film version where the story is narrated by Papa Elf, Santa provides several periods of narration. He is the one who is relating the story we are watching unfold onstage. Zellhofer’s performance is solid as the iconic Claus who laments when his sleigh won’t fly because so many people have stopped believing in Christmas. But he believes in Buddy enough to send him to New York to meet his human family and, as it turns out, this was a great decision that ultimately results in the spirit of the season returning. As Buddy states all you have to do is sing.
The remainder of the cast is rounded out by various supporting characters that, while not mentioned by name in this review, are vital to the show’s plot and each of them is deserving of praise…especially the 8 elves that sing and dance and, well, simply embody holiday joy. They are cute to watch and are obviously so happy to be up on stage.
There is still one more weekend to catch this show, as it runs December 8, 9 & 10th. And catch it you should. It’s great fun for the entire family and, even if you’ve never seen the movie, is a story that will leave you feeling good. It’s a show that reminds you that, in today’s crazy world, there is still hope. Hope that things will get better. Realizing that family is the most important thing. And, to those who have, like Jovie, become a bit jaded over the years and lost that childhood excitement, Buddy and the gang will leave you rediscovering that yes, it is still possible to believe…in the magic of Christmas.
Running Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission
Elf plays through December 10th at Third Wall Productions, now in residence at Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church— 3701 Sweet Air Road in Phoenix, MD. Tickets are available by at the door or in advance online.
