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Regional Reviews: New Jersey Elf Delivers Ideal Family Entertainment Also see Bob's reviews of Camelot and The Fabulous Lipitones
The creators of Elf have adapted David Berenbaum's fantasy screenplay about Buddy, an orphaned baby who was unknowingly transported to Christmastown at the North Pole by Santa Claus after accidentally falling into Santa's bag. There, Buddy was adopted and raised by elves as one of their own. As the musical begins, the adult Buddy happily prances about in his elf clothing, blissfully unaware of the incongruity between himself and his elf companions. After accidentally learning that he is a human, Buddy solicits from Santa the fact that his father, who has never known of his existence, is alive and well and living in New York City. Encouraged by Santa, Buddy heads south to the city to find him. Essentially, Elf is a most entertaining account of Buddy's New York experience which succeeds on multiple levels. Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin have provided a clever, savvy book built to entertain both adults and children. Warmth and sentiment without an excess of sugar, a rich panoply of characters and incidents, and smooth storytelling are its hallmarks. There is a plethora of New York City inspired jokes which cannot help but resonant with metropolitan area theatergoers. Adults will enjoy the clever double entendres which pass with room to spare over the heads of the younger set. There is a lively, melodious, professionally polished score provided by Matthew Sklar (music) and Chad Beguelin (lyrics). Nothing groundbreaking or startling here, "just" a bouncy, lively, and pleasantly melodic old-fashioned musical comedy score. Still, there is no reason why "(Just Sing) A Christmas Song" could not become a popular Christmas standard. The music provides a most felicitous background for Elf's lively and colorful dance numbers. And why do I keep singing the lyric, "It's the story of Buddy the elf, Buddy the elf ..."? James Moye is a totally delightful Buddy. Moye delightfully navigates the pitfalls inherent in an adult portraying a child's persona (while in elf's clothing, to boot). Moye smoothly and incrementally conveys Buddy's growth into an adult human. Moye is also a pretty fine song and dance man. Kate Fahrner is endearing as Buddy's new found girlfriend, Jovie. It is a pleasure to again see the formidable Robert Cuccioli back at the Paper Mill stage, the scene of several of his earlier triumphs. Cuccioli accurately brings to the stage James Caan's on-screen interpretation of Walter Hobbs, Buddy's blustering father. Heidi Blickenstaff is charming and sensitive as Emily Hobbs (Walter's wife). Paul C. Vogt is a droll, down to earth Santa Claus with terrific comic timing. The knowledge that Vogt played Edna Turnblad during Hairspray's Broadway run has put into my head the pleasant notion of Harvey Fierstein playing Elf's Santa. But I wildly digress. Delivering stand-out turns in featured roles are Jessica Sheridan as Deb (Walter's office manager), Cleve Asbury as Mr. Patterson (Walter's boss), and DeMone as the Macy's store manager. Director Eric Ankrim has assembled a talented company which projects an infectious buoyant enthusiasm. Whether this is due to s talented professionalism, the nurturing of a happy, enthusiastic company, or a combination of both, it is key to the particular success of this production. Josh Rhodes' exuberant and plentiful choreography features several major toe-tapping numbers which provide a handsome showcase for the talented ensemble of the 24 member company. The stage musical Elf, which twice has provided holiday entertainment for Broadway audiences, has this Christmas found an ideal home at the Paper Mill Playhouse. (Consumer notes: The final two weeks of the run of Elf (which extends to January 4) are non-subscription performances for which there is the best ticket availability. For the information of parents of families who are not Christian, it should be noted that Elf is a celebration of the secular aspects of the Christmas season and family values which, hopefully, are valued by all religions.) Elf continues performances (Evenings: Tuesday 7 pm (12/23 & 12/30 only)/ Wednesday-Thursday 7 pm (except 12/24, 12/25 & 12/31)/ Friday & Saturday 7 pm / Sunday 7 pm (except 12/28 & 1/40) Matinees: Tuesday 1:30 pm (12/23 only)/ Wednesday 1:30 pm (12/24 & 12/31 only) Thursday 1:30 pm (except 12/25), Saturday, & Sunday 1:30 pm) through January 4, 2015, at Paper Mill Playhouse, 3 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ 07041. Box Office: 973-376-4343; online: www.papermill.org. Elf book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin/ Music by Matthew Sklar/ Lyrics by Chad Beguelin; directed by Eric Ankrim Cast
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