Elf the Musical, which is currently appearing on Broadway for a brief period this holiday season, allows fans of the 2003 Christmas film Elf to follow Buddy’s adventure.
As the human kid raised by elves who journeys to New York City in search of his biological father, Grey Henson plays Buddy, the elf made famous on the big screen by Will Ferrell.
Henson has acted in films such as Shucked and The Book of Mormon. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of Damian in Tina Fey’s Mean Girls Broadway adaption. However, he claimed it was difficult to deal with the burden of portraying a character that people were already familiar with and adored.
Henson recently remarked, “I think people are pleasantly surprised by how different it feels, even though they come in expecting a certain performance.” You think, “Okay, this is the same guy I know, but it’s different,” as soon as you see me not wearing exactly what Will Ferrell wore in the film.
Since I don’t want to do an impression of Will Ferrell, I really have to quit thinking about the movie for my performance.
Broadway alum Kayla Davion plays Jovie, Buddy’s sulky love interest who works as an elf in a department store. The actors claimed to have added their own twists to each role. Eventually, Buddy brings her Christmas cheer.
“To put it simply, I’m Black,” she remarked. My Chicago side, which is a really laid-back aspect of me, is something I like to incorporate. Additionally, I have a really straightforward sassy side, which is kind of great for this job.
Sean Astin, who starred in The Lord of the Rings and The Goonies, as Santa Claus in this adaption. Ashley Brown, who first played Mary Poppins on Broadway in 2006, plays Buddy’s stepmother, Emily Hobbs.
Kalen Allen, an actress, musician, and content producer who frequently featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, plays the manager of the store where Buddy is unintentionally placed in as an elf in the Christmas area.
Regarding his time on TV, Allen remarked, “I think a part of me almost felt that maybe I was never going to be able to do stage again.” I had the impression that I was being beckoned home.
As Buddy attempts to succeed in the human world and establish a relationship with his estranged father—a high-strung corporate worker on the naughty list played by Michael Hayden—feeling at home is a major theme.
He’s completely lost. Henson remarked, “He’s a bull in a china shop.” And our presentation truly has everything you enjoy about the film. We’re singing and dancing, of course, which makes the occasion ten times more festive.
According to Davion, a lot of theatergoers have told her that the Broadway production of Elf made them cry because the spirit of Christmas is so genuine.
According to Allen, the program reminds viewers that Christmas is about more than just gifts and presents.
“Connection is key,” he remarked. It’s about friends and families.
“The stage version is a little more emotional because it’s a musical,” Henson added.
After making its Broadway premiere in 2011 and returning in 2012, this is Elf’s third appearance. It is in its current form through January 4.
Plot changes and missing sections may be noticeable to moviegoers, but they are replaced by large musical moments, tap dance, onstage skating, and a snow-filled auditorium.
However, it does have spaghetti plates, one of the film’s most well-known sequences.
Real pasta is always present. However, since honey is better for voices, we use it in place of syrup, explained 13-year-old Kai Edgar, who plays Buddy’s younger brother Michael.
The Broadway audience gets to witness the play’s conclusion, which is similar to the movie, as Santa’s sleigh takes off after being given enough magic and Christmas cheer to fuel it. The sleigh soars offstage and over the orchestra seats.
It never gets old that we can bring so much beauty and awe each and every night, Allen remarked.
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