Swing Joined: 10/22/07
I love Christopher Fitzgerald to death, but don't you think a lot of the humor concerning Buddy being really tall and obviously a human among the elves lost with an actor of Christopher Fitzgerald's height? I feel the sight gag of such a tall guy dressed as an elf is pretty key to "Elf"
Same with Norbert. I would imagine someone at least 6 feet to play the role.
It's not a huge name, but Sean McCourt is a fantastic performer, I would love for him to get some more praise for a role like this!
I'm in the camp of people who are excited for this... it's a charming movie, and has some great people working on it. It could turn out to be a very fun and very strong piece.
I'm also really excited for this. And if they can't get Zooey to reprise her role, how about Brynn O'Malley?
It'll be interesting to see how they do the animation of the north pole... I'm kind of excited for this!
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/24/09
entertainment weekly is reporting that Christian Anderson is playing Buddy? Is that true? I don't trust EW with theatre scoop since they are so new to it. http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/11/elf-the-musical-great-idea-or-a-throne-of-lies/
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/07
The only work I've seen Anderson was in Avenue Q so I really can't judge how this will work out if he is playing Buddy.
Cause he did a dang good job with Drowsy Chaperone?
First of all, the direction was not one of the good things about Drowsy. Secondly, one passable directorial attempt does not justify one being a go-to director. All About Me... To Be or Not To Be...enough said.
Agreed.
In fact, I consider the direction of DROWSY to be one of the worst things about the show - granted, I've never liked it, but still.
If this ends up coming back to Broadway after this season, ala Grinch and White Christmas, it'd be cool to see Will Ferrell take a whack at it. Albeit, it should be after the role is established, but he can sing adequately, and he's been on Broadway before.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/08
Am I mad for thinking Cheyenne JAckson, he has the height (although he is very bulky/muscular) but he does have that innocence and naivity (based on Xanadu anyway)
Stand-by Joined: 5/18/06
I really don't know how this will play on stage, unless they borrow the stilts from 101 Dalmations. Oh wait, no need to BORROW.
I've always thought the visual gags in the movie were brilliant, but not sure how they'll play with even an under 5' tall ensemble.
Has it been announced if WHITE CHRISTMAS is coming back too?
Between Wintuk, Radio City Xmas, Elf, White Christmas, it'll be quite the holiday season!
I like the Cheyenne Jackson idea. Doesn't look much like Will Ferrell (to his credit, surely), but I agree that he could pull off the naivete required of Buddy as well as the tall gag. Plus, the chance to see him onstage again would be too enticing for me to pass up!
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