Sara K. Dean’s “ELF” May Even Have You Believing!

by Phyllis Chrisman

If you are feeling stressed by the hectic holiday hoopla, this is your opportunity to settle in for an evening of fun and fantasy. The delightful story of Buddy, “the elf who isn’t,” is narrated by none other than Santa himself, played to a “T” by real-life look-alike, Michael Johnson.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Buddy (played in top “ELF” form by Andrew Cope) has never quite felt he fits in with the other elves at Santa’s workshop. But why? Buddy soon learns from Santa that he is . . . horrors . . . “HU-man!”

Naturally, Buddy is curious about how he came to be a misfit among Santa’s elves. His curiosity takes him to New York City, where he marvels at the Empire State Building and Macy’s. There, he searches for his father, workaholic Walter Hobbs (Lysander Abadia), who in his more carefree youth had a brief but not-uneventful fling with his heartthrob, Susan Wells, resulting in . . . well . . . you know!

Cope excels as Buddy, a boy who must learn to be a boy after believing all his life that he was an elf. Buddy’s joy at finding his father turns to sadness as he realizes that Dad doesn’t believe in elves, or Christmas, or anything much beyond his career at Greenwood Press! But Buddy’s newfound stepmother, Emily Hobbs (endearing Annmarie Macry) is warm and loving.

Emily, the antithesis of the evil stepmother, joyfully accepts Buddy as her stepson and, with the help of Buddy, eventually reforms Walter from a kind of modern-day Ebenezeer Scrooge to a father who BELIEVES.

Andrew Cope convinces us that he is a “cotton-headed ninny muggins,” elf-turned-boy while displaying remarkable singing and dancing talents as well!

By Act II, Macry has even the most curmudgeonly of us believing as Emily and her son Michael (talented young Jackson Janssen) deliver a heartfelt rendition of “There Is a Santa Claus.” Annmarie’s smooth, rich voice makes for especially easy listening.

Director Sara K. Dean brings out the talents of the entire cast as they all sing and dance their way into our hearts. Dean’s choreography with Lysander Abadia, is beautifully adapted to the small stage.

The small back-stage combo, directed by Catherine Snider, does a fantastic job supplying dance-in-your-seat music. Theater just wouldn’t be the same without live music, and these musicians do it fabulously, even from behind the scenes.

The simple staging is perfect for this small theater and set changes are barely noticeable. The New York City photography on the backdrops is beautiful, and the  original artwork is stunning.

The story of Buddy’s adventures and misadventures in New York City as a “HU-man” boy are heart-warming and hilarious. Buddy discovers his family, including his brother, and a lovely Macy’s elf, Jovie (Corinna Laskin) for a romantic touch. They all offer an evening of engaging entertainment and holiday hilarity! Los Altos Stage Company hits the high notes!

 

“ELF, The Musical” –music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Bob Martin & Thomas Meehan, directed by Sara K. Dean, musical direction by Catherine Snider, choreography by Sara K. Dean & Lysander Abadia. by Los Altos Stage Company.

 Info: losaltosstage.org – to December 23, 2023.

Cast: Lysander Abadia, Charles Anthony, Kristy Aquino, Andrew Cope, Ricardo Cortes, Lindsey Duran, Jackson Janssen, Michael Johnson, Justin Kerekes, Corinna Laskin, Ji Hae Lee, Annmarie Macry, Kalyn McKenzie, Ron Munekawa, Alison Starr, Heather Mae Steffen, Brittany Watts, and Morgan Dayley.

Musicians:  Catherine Snider/Conductor, Keyboard, Sean Green, Christopher Hewitt/Keyboard, Lorenzo Perez, Jay Shuler/Trumpet, Diana Tucker, Antony Pickard/Reeds, and Dori Shimer/Drums.

Banner photo: Andrew Cope as Buddy and the cast of “ELF, The Musical.” Photo by Christian Pizzirani.