Academy’s ‘Elf’ Delivers Big Holiday Cheer

The best way to spread Christmas cheer this season is to head on over to the Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans to see “Elf, the Musical.” The show is based on the 2003 Christmas movie starring Will Ferrell and is bursting at the seams with holiday delight. The musical is loaded with contagious season’s greetings and holly, jolly good Christmas fun for audiences of all ages.

The production is co-directed by Jennifer Almeida and Terrence Brady, with choreography by Elena Novero and musical direction from Chris Morris. 

“Elf” takes place in the far away land of candy canes, toys, snowflakes, and sleighbells: the North Pole at Santa’s Workshop. “Elf” is a story about a human boy who was raised in the North Pole and finds himself struggling to fit in as a full-size adult among his elf peers, master tinkers and Santa's helpers. Buddy the Elf, played by master comedic actor Mark Roderick, finds himself longing to find out where he comes from. Roderick shines in the role as the optimistic and whimsical Buddy. He embarks on a wild journey to the magical land of New York City to find his father, Walter Hobbs, who is played by the very comical Michael McCarthy. After travelling through New Jersey and the Lincoln Tunnel, Buddy is on the adventure of a lifetime that is filled with laughter, twists, turns and lots of maple syrup. 

There are countless magical moments in this production. Watch out for the larger-than-life Santa sleigh and snowfall. One enchanting scene takes place with Buddy and his love interest Jovie, played by Rachel Walman, as they ice skate and sing (on rollerblades!) around Rockefeller Plaza. 

One duo who captures hearts in “Elf” are Buddy’s stepmother Emily and brother Michael, played by Katie Beatty and Toby Goers. Their two lovely duets, “I’ll Believe in You” and “There is a Santa Claus,” were super sweet. 

Fred Carpenter wows as a hilarious and loveable Santa who narrates the story of Buddy the Elf. Alongside him is Susan Heinz who plays Mrs. Claus. One utterly phenomenal scene in Act II features a gaggle of drunk Santa’s, played by Lucas Almeida, Jace Carpenter, Link Gosling, Liam O’Hara, Billy Weimer, Frank Scanzillo and Terrence Brady, as they head home from a night of boozing on Christmas Eve. 

I love calling out the scene-stealers in all of the shows I see, and in “Elf” it has to go to Billy Weimer. In his APA debut, the local Harwich Elementary STEM teacher absolutely kills it as nasty publishing boss Mr. Greenway, who tries to ruin Christmas for everyone. My face hurt from laughing so much!

The talented cast is rounded out by a host of incredible actors including Julia Randall, Suzanne Fecteau, Raye Doyle, Justin McGee, and Lizzy Smythe. Santa’s Elves (who also play other roles throughout the show) include Cora Goers, Molly Davol, Hazel Yingling, Erin Walsh, Samantha Kelly, Ella Bohn, Cecilia Miner, Gia Popov. And Santa’s smaller Elves were played by Finley Smith, Fiona Mooney, Paxton Glidden, Vivienne Oliveira, Sylvie Weimer, Grace Mauke, Alex Bohn, Finnigan Conlin, Harper Mea, Alice Delano, Falyn Bowman, Layla LaBonte and Hope Daley.

‘Tis the season to be surrounded by laughter, light, magic and love, and that is exactly what you’ll get when you go to see “Elf.” The entire run of the show is currently sold out, but there are waiting lists, so be sure to call the box office or join online.