Elf: The Musical kicks off the holiday musical season, at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, to December 31

Actor Andrew McNee plays the beloved cotton-headed ninny muggins in the Arts Club production

By Gail Johnson

Elf: The Musical. Photo by David Cooper

Elf: The Musical runs until December 31 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage

SON OF A NUTCRACKER! Elf: The Musical is here, with the Arts Club Theatre Company’s seasonal performance now running straight through the holidays.

If watching the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum is a festive tradition in your home, you know classic lines like “This is Buddy; What’s your favourite colour?”, “Smiling’s my favourite!”, and “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”

Played by East Van Panto and Bard on the Beach favourite Andrew McNee, Buddy identifies as an elf, despite his oversized stature and the challenges he faces making toys. Once he learns that, in fact, he’s human and that his biological father lives in New York City, Santa (Tom Pickett) gives him permission to leave the North Pole and head to the Big Apple. He declares his love for his dad, Walter (Andrew Wheeler), even though his pops is on the naughty list, and eventually connects with his half-brother, Michael (Rickie Wang). And of course he falls in love, with a seasonal department-store worker named Jovie who has to dress like an elf and sings a mean carol (Eva Tavares ). (“So... Do you want to eat food?”)

Elf: The Musical is based on the book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, after the beloved 2003 film, with music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Catchy songs span the jazzy “Nobody Cares About Santa” and the ballad “I’ll Believe in You”. The musical has played to packed houses at theatres from London’s West End to Broadway, but this is the first time Vancouverites will get the chance to see it.

The Arts Club’s production features 19 cast members, including understudies, a 10-person children’s chorus, and eight musicians. Making up the musical ensemble are conductor Ken Cormier, Angus Kellett, Sasha Niechoda on keyboards; Martin Fisk on drums and percussion; trumpeter Henry Christian; Ingrid Stitt (reeds), trombonist Jim Hopson; and Ellen Marple (substitute trombone).

Special dates include Sunday Salon on November 12; Talkback Tuesday on November 21;  and VocalEye Performances on December 3 and 8.

As Buddy would say, “Treat every day like Christmas.”. 

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