ELF

Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin

Music by Matthew Sklar

Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Directed by Charlotte Taylor

Assistant Director Ellie Nunemaker

Music Director Joey O’Reilly

Choreographer Kyra Jacobs

Asst Choreographer Noelle Saul

Dance Captains Anna Kharisma Fontenot, Reagen Wren

Fight Choreographer Anna Kharisma Fontenot

Stage Manager Ellie Nunemaker

Lighting Design/Ops Caleb Ross

Costumer Alison Kingwell, Ellie Nunemaker

Sound Ops Grace Everett

Sound Design Charlotte Taylor

Scenic Design Katie Purdin

Scenic Construction Joseph Adams, Katie Purdin, Ian Taylor

Producers Becky Buehner, Laurel Merritt

The Cast

Buddy the Elf Thomas Schnaible

Jovie Lauren Rodriguez

Santa Alidor Lefere

Ms Claus Vivian Reed

Walter Hobbs Eric Levy

Emily Hobbs Katie Purdin

Michael Hobbs Kambryn Ransom, Zoey Burden

Deb Micaela Workman

Greenway/Fake Santa Brent Burden

Chadwick Patrick Mealey

Matthews Anna Kharisma Fontenot

Tiara/Sam/Featured Dancer Reagen Wren

Charlie/Buddy Swing Jacob Eiseman

Jovie Swing/Featured Dancer Noelle Saul

Emily Swing/Featured Dancer Grace Philipbar

Charlotte/Ensemble Melissa Hatch

Waitress/Mom Ellie Nunemaker

My thoughts on Elf or…Off the shelf and into your heart

Occasionally, a theater experience is so perfect that it transcends expectations. You enter anticipating a routine performance and exit, two hours later, in a state of bliss, having been thoroughly delighted. This was precisely my experience at the CenterStage Theatre Works' production of Elf directed by Charlotte Taylor.

Stop reading this now and go write down the name Thomas Schnaible. I’ll explain in a bit.

Oh, you’re back. Elf is based on a popular movie featuring Will Ferrell. The plot is widely recognized: a human infant accidentally ends up in Santa's sack and is whisked away to the North Pole. Named Buddy and raised by elves, he discovers his humanity 30 years later and embarks on a quest to find his biological father. With his mother having passed away, Buddy reaches New York City, locates his father, Walter Hobbs, an executive in a publishing company, who is married with a son. Buddy inadvertently wreaks havoc in his father's family and the broader human world. Amidst the chaos, Buddy, with his benevolent nature, falls for Jovie, a cynical young woman. As complications arise, the festive season promises a joyful resolution.

Elf boasts catchy music by Matthew Sklar and smart, humorous lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The amusing narrative is crafted by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. The production presents a sharper and edgier take than typical Christmas plays, offering entertainment that adults will appreciate just as much as children.

The performance space, adorned with tinsel and featuring a two-tiered set designed by Katie Purdin, is imbued with the spirit of Christmas. Caleb Ross ensures the lighting remains vibrant, while the playful costumes created by Alison Kingwell and Ellie Nunemaker lend the characters a whimsical charm.

Elf showcases large-scale production numbers with lively choreography led by Kyra Jacobs and supported by Noelle Saul. Director Taylor possesses a keen ability to craft vivid stage imagery, and her pacing skillfully accentuates the musical's comedic and poignant elements. It's also clear that Taylor is skilled in casting.

The cast is so large and brimming with talent that it could populate three or more musicals. I wish there were enough time and space to acknowledge each person who contributed to the enchantment of this musical. I would like to acknowledge some exceptional individuals.

At the performance I attended, Joey O’Reilly, who has done splendid work here as the music director, stepped into the role of Walter Hobbs with extremely short notice. He deserves significant praise, as he seemed completely at ease and portrayed the troubled father with remarkable fluidity. One would never suspect he had mastered the role in such a brief time. Katie Purdin, portraying Walter's dedicated and supportive wife Emily, truly sparkles, and her duet "I Believe in Santa Claus" with the Hobbs' son Michael is a highlight. Michael, played by the talented 12-year-old Kambryn Ransom, performs with the skill and confidence of a seasoned professional.

Alidor Lefere is an exceptional Santa Claus. Lefere conveys all of Santa's frustration and exhaustion that come from dealing with the rise in the number of non-believers. Vivian Reed, portraying Santa's wife, embodies the dedication and frustration that comes with being married to the iconic gifter.

Brent Burden portrays the stern, loud, and demanding Mr. Greenway, Walter's boss, who is fervently searching for the next best-selling children's book. Burden excels at crafting a villainous character and the true antagonist of the show. Additionally, he delivers a notable performance as the creepy Fake Santa.

Deb, portrayed by Micaela Workman, is Walter's hardworking, positive, and upbeat secretary. Workman is a performer endowed with a glorious voice and charismatic stage presence, turning this featured role into a success.

Lauren Rodriguez's portrayal of Jovie, Buddy the Elf's love interest, is faultless. She embodies the character so completely that her backstory is apparent in her expression. Her melancholic eyes reveal Jovie's dissatisfaction with her life. Rodriguez brings a blend of toughness and fragility to the role, and witnessing this disheartened New Yorker, who serves as a Macy's store elf, slowly succumb to Buddy's relentless cheerfulness is a delight of the production. Moreover, Jovie's standout song, "Never Fall in Love (with an Elf)," is performed impeccably by Rodriguez.

Now about that name I had you write down. Remember? Thomas Schnaible.

This year has seen some remarkable performances, and Thomas Schnaible's portrayal of Buddy the Elf stands out as one of the finest. Schnaible's stage presence is extraordinary, and he masters Buddy's constant cheerfulness and sunny outlook marvelously. As a skilled singer and dancer, Schnaible brings a charm to Buddy that captivates the audience immediately, making us champion his joy. He skillfully handles the touching moments, bringing tears to my eyes on occasion. Schnaible's Buddy reminds me of Tom Hanks in "Big," which is high praise for this immensely talented young performer in the early stages of his career. His lively, expressive take on Buddy the Elf is memorable. I believe Mr. Schnaible is on the path to significant achievements in the performing arts. Soon, you'll be proud to say you "knew him when."

I hope you get to experience the complete joy that is CenterStage Theatre Works’ Elf. I’d love to see it become a Christmas classic and be able to visit Buddy the Elf every year.