By Emilie Minshew
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s production of Elf the Musical in Centerville, is a heartwarming, family friendly way to kickoff the Christmas season. This modern holiday classic adapted for stage by Thomas Meehan, Bob Martin, Matthew Sklar, and Chad Beuelin is sure to put a smile on your face and fill you with the Christmas spirit. This production is the epitome of why community theater is important. With a vibrant ensemble, bright costumes and impeccable local talent, Elf the Musical is sure to please.
The Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday cast is led by Ben Heder as Buddy the elf. Heder is the excited, naive Buddy that we all know and love (created by Wil Ferrell in the movie), while still making the character his own. His excitement about Christmas is utterly contagious and I found myself smiling along with him during his journey through New York City. Playing off Buddy’s Christmas spirit is actress Niki Waite as Jovie. Waite’s journey from Grinch to falling in love with an actual elf is comical and so sweet. The chemistry between Heder and Waite has audiences giggling and rooting for love.
For me, the most heartwarming part of the show is the emotional journey of the Hobbs family. Portrayed by Andrew Gemperline as Walter, Cynthia Klumpp as Emily, and Will Hoagland as Michael, the Hobbs family interacts with the heart and conflict of a real family. Klumpp and Hoagland’s duet of “I’ll Believe in You” is absolutely darling.
This ensemble is on point, each cast member is always on. Each glance across the stage means seeing a group of phenomenal community actors creating a bright and bubbly scene. There is not a single moment I could find where an actor was not acting in the moment, which makes for a very captivating show.
The production crew, led by executive director Jansen Davis, deserves a serious kudos. During the scene at Central Park, the crew has managed to create something that will truly blow minds, an actual ice-skating rink on stage. When the ensemble came onstage in actual ice skates, I didn’t know what to expect, but then they began to skate around on an actual ice rink and I was floored (pun!). Set designer and executive producer Scott Van Dyke is a miracle worker and I am still utterly stumped to know how they managed to execute the ice rink. Costume designer Rachel Lindsay adds a vibrant Christmas color palette to the scene and plays well off choreographer Kelley Richardson’s ambitious tap choreography. Music director Arianne Hellewell certainly had her work cut out for her with this modern score but manages to create a fun and comical show that audiences will love.
Bundle up, grab your family, and go see this absolutely endearing Christmas show, Elf the Musical at CenterPoint Legacy Theater.
The CenterPoint Legacy Theatre presents Elf the Musical book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, musi-293c by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin.
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre 525 N 400 W, Centerville, UT 84014
November 23- December 22 (excluding Sundays) 2018, 7:30 PM, Sat matinee 2:30 PM
Tickets: $19.50-$27
Contact: 801-298-1302
https://www.facebook.com/CenterPointLegacyTheatre/
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