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ELF 2024 Previews

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EDSOSLO858
#1ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/8/24 at 12:01am

Give the world a holiday that’s bright as can be, make it sparklejollytwinklejingley…

Broadway gets a joyous early Christmas present: a revival of Elf the Musical! Decking the halls of the Marquis Theatre starting tomorrow night (November 9), this staging — previously seen in London — is directed by Philip William McKinley with choreography by Liam Steel. The principal cast is led by Grey Henson as Buddy the Elf, joined by Kayla Davion, Sean Astin (doubling as Santa Claus and Mr. Greenway), Kalen Allen, Ashley Brown, Michael Deaner, Kai Edgar, Michael Hayden, and Jennifer Sanchez. Based on the hit 2003 film, Elf features a holly-jolly score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Bob Martin and the late Thomas Meehan. Opening night is November 17, for a seasonal run through January 4.

Elf is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of Buddy, a young orphan whose life is changed forever when he mistakenly crawls into Santa’s sack of toys one Christmas Eve. Raised by elves at the North Pole, Buddy’s enormous size and limited toy-making abilities make him realize he may not quite fit in! When he discovers he is actually human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, and in turn, helps the Big Apple and the people he meets rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.”

Is any-Buddy here going sometime this next week?


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DaveyG
#2ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/9/24 at 8:16am

I was at the invited dress last night and had the BEST time. It made me forget about the state of the world for a few hours.  

Highly recommend. 

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EDSOSLO858
#3ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/9/24 at 1:10pm

Approximate 2:30 runtime per the website, including a 15-minute intermission. 


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bwayphreak234
#4ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/9/24 at 1:14pm

This wasn't really on my radar, but after this sh*tty week, my interest in some lighthearted holiday cheer and theatre escapism has definitely been piqued.


"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Updated On: 11/9/24 at 01:14 PM

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EDSOSLO858
#5ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/9/24 at 10:43pm

Any first preview reports?


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CATSNYrevival
#6ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/10/24 at 4:42am

I’m curious to find out which song they’re using for the opening number, “Christmastown” or “Happy All the Time?”

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IdinaBellFoster
#7ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/10/24 at 9:20am

CATSNYrevival said: "I’m curious to find out which song they’re using for the opening number, “Christmastown” or “Happy All the Time?”"

“Happy All The Time” is in the regional licensed version so I would be shocked if they reverted.


"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards

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CATSNYrevival
#8ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/10/24 at 11:48am

IdinaBellFoster said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I’m curious to find out which song they’re using for the opening number, “Christmastown” or “Happy All the Time?”"

“Happy All The Time” is in the regional licensed version so I would be shocked if they reverted.
"

I would agree but "Happy All the Time" isn't on the London cast recording so I'm assuming they didn't use it in London for some reason even though it was used in the 2012 Broadway revival 3 years prior. I've never understood that. A new album would have made more sense if they had recorded the new song but they didn't.

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ACL2006
#9ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/10/24 at 1:30pm

Via Reddit:

Won the lottery for Elf last night! It's a very cute and fun show. It's not a very new show so you probably all know about the music. The cast is very talented, I am a fan of Grey Henson after seeing him in Shucked and he was fantastic in this. Perfect for the role. Kayla Davion is really amazing, I'd love if she sang more in this. Also thought Kalen Allen was funny and fun. 

 

 

Some of the technical aspects of the show felt a little subpar, especially all the projections. They looked straight out of the early 2000s. But mild complaints for a really fun night. Definitely needed a little Christmas and got it! 

 

 

Final thoughts: not a must-see by any definition but if you're looking for a fun time, especially with a family, worth your time.


A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

Fordham2015
#10ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/11/24 at 7:58pm

According to the PDF on Playbill Vault they used Happy All the Time

https://assets.playbill.com/playbill-inside/elf-11-17-2024-4.jpg

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Producer2
#11ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/12/24 at 4:29pm

Yes “Happy All The Time!”  The show is fantastic, the best Elf I’ve seen.  They tweaked all the versions and this one is definitive.  Grey is perfect!!!  Sean Astin is a treat!

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Jordan Catalano
#12ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/13/24 at 11:29am

A lot has been made of “Tammy Faye” not selling but looking at tonight’s seatmap for “Elf” - that’s really depressing. 

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EDSOSLO858
#13ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/13/24 at 11:43am

Jordan Catalano said: "A lot has been made of “Tammy Faye” not selling but looking at tonight’s seatmap for “Elf” - that’s really depressing."

To be fair, it will likely bring in most of its audience during the Thanksgiving and especially Christmas weeks. Historically, ELF hasn’t really sold that well leading up to Turkey Day.


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ACL2006
#14ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/13/24 at 12:07pm

The first few weeks will have tiny crowds. Post-Thanksgiving it'll start to do well. It'll be the cheaper alternative for families this holiday season than trying to see Wicked, The Lion King or Hamilton.


A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

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Jordan Catalano
#15ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/13/24 at 12:13pm

Yeah, of course it’ll sell better in a few weeks it’s just odd that they chose to start this now

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Call_me_jorge
#16ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/13/24 at 12:43pm

This production or version of the show is definitely touring next year. Crossroads will be producing, probably non-equity. It’s for sure coming to Chicago next fall. This is the last season NETworks is producing their Elf tour.


In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound. Signed, Theater Workers for a Ceasefire https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement

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EDSOSLO858
#17ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/14/24 at 12:25pm

The show will perform on GMA tomorrow at 8:45


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EDSOSLO858
#18ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/15/24 at 11:10am

Grey Henson, Kayla Davion, and the company performing the musical’s finale: 

 

 


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Updated On: 11/15/24 at 11:10 AM

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Leaf Coneybear
#19ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/15/24 at 12:01pm

Trying to decide between this and The Roommate for my final show slot.

bwayobsessed
#20ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/15/24 at 6:28pm

Those costumes really look like they’re from a store…I’m totally down for not doing the standard Elf movie costumes but this looks like what the elves at a department store wear 

 

edit: maybe I’m confused cuz it’s the finale arrangement-are these the costumes for the department store not the North Pole elves?

Updated On: 11/15/24 at 06:28 PM

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CoffeeBreak
#21ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/15/24 at 6:30pm

If we missed Elf originally, is this return worth seeing ?   We were told the tour wasn't worth the money when with family out of town.

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PrinceAli
#22ELF 2024 Previews
Posted: 11/15/24 at 7:18pm

If you’d like to end your day on a positive note, see Elf. I saw both and Elf was peppy and happy and The Roommate was not. 


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