Elf - The Musical Tickets

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ABOUT ELF THE MUSICAL

Based on the 2003 motion picture of the same name, Elf is a musical that had been adapted from the film by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan, with a score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. It premiered on Broadway in the Christmas seasons of 2010–11 and 2012–13, in the West End in the 2015–16 season, and also toured annually in the U.S. during the Christmas holiday season from 2012 to 2017, and in the UK in 2018 and 2019. The show tells the tale of Buddy Hobbs, who was raised as an elf, but later discovers that he is a human being. Buddy then travels to New York City in search of his father and meets some friends along the way.

?SYNOPSIS

Christmas is over and, having successfully delivered all his presents, Santa sits down to watch the football game he was saving, only to find that his TiVo has been recorded over. Instead, Santa decides to pass the time by telling the story of Buddy the Elf.

Buddy, the unusually large elf, is thrilled to be preparing for another day of work in Santa’s workshop. He and his fellow elves are informed by their boss Charlie that this year, they must work twice as hard, as there are fewer and fewer believers in Santa amongst the humans, and Santa’s sleigh is only able to fly with the help of Christmas spirit. Buddy’s toy-making progress is checked by Charlie, who sees that once again, he is far behind the other workers and upset by his own slow progress. Buddy is told by Charlie to go on a break and as he goes to take it, he overhears Charlie say that he is, in fact, not an elf but a human. Buddy is distraught, so Santa sits with him and recounts the tale of how, when his mother died, he was accidentally brought to the North Pole by Santa. Buddy asks of his father and is told that the man lives in New York City, but that he is on the "naughty list." Buddy decides that he will go to New York and save his father with his Christmas spirit.

In New York, Buddy finds his father, Walter, in his office in the Empire State building, raving on the telephone to his wife and son about the sheer inconvenience of Christmas. Buddy announces to Walter that he’s his son, but Walter is surprised and disbelieving and has him thrown out by security. The guards leave him at Macy’s and a store manager mistakenly believes him to be an employee from head office, sent down to observe the Christmas proceedings. Buddy is suddenly part of the Macy’s workforce and is tasked with helping decorate the store, which he does with joy and fervor. At first, Buddy’s co-workers are annoyed by his enthusiasm, but they soon get caught up in his infectious holiday spirit. That evening, as the workers are leaving, Buddy asks his favorite co-worker, Jovie, on a date, which she accepts. The following morning, he gets in an altercation with the department store Santa, who he accuses of being a fake. He is apprehended by the police, who take him to his father’s house.

Walter’s wife and son, Emily and Michael, are at the house, attempting a school science project that isn’t going well. Buddy agrees to lend a hand, on the condition that they both embrace a bit of Christmas spirit and write letters to Santa. As they sit and write, they realize that their Christmas wish is simple: to spend quality time with Walter. When Walter arrives home, he sees Emily and Michael hugging and hi-fiving Buddy, who has just fixed the science project. Although he takes some convincing from Emily, Walter decides that Buddy can stay the night. The following morning, a DNA test arrives via FedEx (Emily had plucked and sent of one of Buddy’s hairs upon their first meeting), confirming that Buddy really is Walter’s son. Although Buddy is thrilled by the news, Walter is unimpressed, particularly as Emily has a meeting, so he will be forced to bring Buddy to work with him.

Buddy is delighted to walk to work with Walter, dressed in his new business suit. However, his boisterous good nature and eager inquisitiveness do not go down well with Walter’s boss when he comes in, threatening to fire Walter. That evening, after work, Buddy takes Jovie on their date. Initially, things don’t start well, but they both get into the swing when Buddy promises to present her with a real Christmas, beginning with fulfilling her dream of a Christmas Eve dinner at Tavern on the Green. Jovie is touched and the pair share their first kiss. Meanwhile, back in the office, Walter is working late on a children’s story manuscript that could be the key to saving him from getting fired. Buddy gleefully bounds in and declares his love for Jovie. He is ignored by Walter, who is talking with colleagues, and while Walter does so, Buddy makes "snow" by shredding the manuscript pages. Livid, Walter yells at Buddy that he is no longer welcome in his apartment or his life.

As the real Santa continues to tell the story, Buddy leaves a letter of apology and farewell to Michael, Emily, and Walter. Aimlessly traversing the streets of New York City on Christmas Eve, he winds up at a Chinese restaurant with several other "Santas" and "Elves", all lamenting people’s lack of belief in Santa and Christmas in current times. As, one by one, they peel off to go home to their respective families, it occurs to Buddy that he was meant to be taking Jovie on a date. In front of the Tavern on the Green, Jovie has been waiting two hours for Buddy to arrive. When he finally appears, he gives her the snow globe that Santa gave him, by way of apology. However, Jovie leaves, still feeling upset.

Michael and Emily are both heartbroken to find Buddy’s note. Emily explains to Michael that, although they love Buddy, believing in Santa at the age of thirty means that he is crazy. Just at that moment, they spot Santa’s sleigh flashing across the sky and they both begin to believe in Santa again. The two run to Walter’s office to explain what they just saw. They find him frantically attempting to conjure up a new children’s book idea in order to save his job, with his boss’ arrival imminent. Greenway, his boss, arrives to hear the pitch, by Walter is floundering. In the nick of time, Buddy arrives at the office and, as a present to Walter, pitches the story of Buddy the Elf. The pitch is a success, by on several conditions; Greenway is adamant that the elf be changed to a horse and that Walter stays to work on the story for the rest of Christmas Eve and the whole of Christmas Day. Walter refuses and quits his job there and then, finally prioritizing time with his family. Greenway, unimpressed, storms out of the office.

As Michael explains that he and Emily witnessed Santa’s sleigh landing, Buddy realizes that Santa must have run out of Christmas spirit to power it to fly. They race off in Santa’s direction and find him next to the sled, despondent. Spying a news camera crew nearby in the park, Buddy takes to the microphone and begins trying to convince the rest of New York to embrace the spirit of Christmas, sing, and believe in Santa, so that the sleigh will fly again. As he speaks, others in the park take note and begin singing, including Jovie, who has just arrived. The renewed belief in Santa works and the sleigh takes to the sky once more. Buddy is invited by Santa to return to the North Pole with him, but Buddy realizes that he is home with his family now, and finally feels as though he fits.

As Santa begins to wind up Buddy’s story, he hears a knock at the door. There in the doorway are Michael, Emily, Walter, Buddy, Jovie, and their new baby, Buddy Hobbs, who have come to celebrate Christmas with Santa, as is their annual tradition.

?REVIEWS

"Those expecting to laugh as much as they did at the movie won't be disappointed. What might come as a surprise is just how polished these songs and arrangements are, particularly the larger-than-life opening number at Santa's workshop and several scenes in a very strong second act." Peter Santilli – Associated Press

"There’s been a Christmas miracle on Broadway, because the retooled “Elf” that reopened last night is...a bona fide treat." Elizabeth Vincentelli - NY Post

"High points in the musical include “Nobody Cares About Santa,” a jazzy, foot-stomping lament for Buddy and crew of disgruntled out of work department store Saint Nicks; “There is a Santa Claus,” a joyous realization of the holiday spirit exuberantly voiced by Leavel with youngster Mitchell Sink; and “The Story of Buddy the Elf,” a punchy number with a catchy chorus that, as performed by most of the company, nearly brings down the house. Rolling along agreeably for its earlier stretches, the musical really takes off in the second act. " Michael Sommers – New Jersey Newsroom