By Jim Bloch
If you’re a fan of Will Ferrell’s portrayal of the gigantic elf in the 2003 New Line Cinema holiday movie “Elf,” ThumbCoast Theaters has just the thing to enliven your Christmas season.
The production company is debuting “Elf the Musical” at the Boardwalk Theatre in downtown St. Clair on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The play, which is family-friendly, will be performed 17 times Dec. 1-Dec. 23.
It tells the tale of Buddy, an orphaned baby who crawls into Santa’s gift bag and ends up at the North Pole. Buddy is raised as an elf with the rest of the elf babies until he grows so large that he dwarfs the other elves. Then he shows no toy-making facility, his elf calling. Heartbroken that he is not an elf, Buddy gets Santa’s permission to travel to New York City to find his birth father.
“Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas,” said Brittany Smith, artistic director, in a statement. “We are proud to have a fabulous production team helming this show: Lisa Copley directing, Bethany Tesner music directing and Lauren Riggs choreographing. These ladies are hardworking teammates that have brought the show to life on our stage and we are excited for audiences to see what they have come up with. Elf will be a visual spectacular in every way — from the winter wonderland set to the bright costumes and the flashy choreography.”
Elves hanging out at the North Pole in “Elf the Musical.”
The “Elf the Musical” is based on the movie, which was written by David Berenbaum. Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin wrote the book for the play, with music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin.
Thumbcoast newcomer Caleb Sager leads the cast as Buddy the Elf. A number of other actors make their Thumbcoast debuts in the production: Emma LePlante (Jovie), Alexander Cousins (Manager), Elizabeth Moses (Emily Hobbs), Henry Reid (Michael Hobbs), Eleanor Miller (Young Kid), Cameron Clements (Ensemble), and Annabel Pullman (Ensemble).
Retuning local favorites include Sean Michaels (Santa), Christy Kreidler (Mrs. Claus), Randy Skotarczyk (Mr. Greenway), Ash Moran (Deb), and Jeff Hinkle (Walter Hobbs), and Bethany Tesner, Lauren Riggs, Alex Pergoni, Mike Danaj, Kaycee White, Jonathon Slease and Aaron Buckley.
Tickets are $38 and may be purchased at thumbcoasttheaters.com or by calling the box office at 810-278-1749.
Show times are Friday, Dec 1 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Dec 2 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm; Sunday, Dec 3 at 3:00 pm; Thursday, Dec 7 at 7:30 pm; Friday, Dec 8 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Dec 9 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm; Sunday, Dec 10 at 3:00 pm; Friday, Dec 15 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Dec 16 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm; Sunday, Dec 17 at 3:00 pm; Thursday, Dec 21 at 7:30 pm; Friday, Dec 22 at 7:30 pm; and Saturday, Dec 23 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm.
“This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf,” said Smith. “After all, as Buddy says, ‘the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!'”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
