2
ELF Theater Review.
Buddy Returns in A Raucous Musical.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).Published about 13 hours ago • 3 min read
Robert M. Massimi.
"Elf" at the Marquis Theatre is the best show on Broadway this season! Although the plot has varied a little from the movie, the laughs and thrills remain the same. What makes this show so great is the blend between the music, songs and the pace of the musical. "Elf" is never slow and the songs only enhance this raucous comedy. The musical entertains the adults and the children alike; it never favors one age group or the other.
Grey Henson as Buddy the elf has such a great presence on stage, his delivery and energy is very much a main attraction onstage; in fact, all of the characters in this two hour show are fantastic. This falls squarely on superb direction by Philip WM. McKinley and brilliant choreography by Liam Steel. The combination of the two keep the audience locked in tight throughout the evening, and makes the entire production fun to watch!
"Elf" is what a big musical should look like. With its massive staging (Tim Goodchild- he also did the costumes), great glam lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, resonating and booming sound by Gareth Owen/ Peter Fitzgerald and wonderful orchestration by Doug Besterman. Bob Martin for the most part did an excellent job with the book; Matthew Sklar's music and lyrics by Chad Beguelin complemented this behemoth musical.
The only problem with "Elf" was the projection at times. In the many backdrops of the production, the projection was out of focus leaving us to try to focus in on the different parts of the north pole as well as various parts of New York City. The story too had some different spins from the movie, sometimes the changes were engrossing, and sometimes they didn't work so well. Even with these mild flaws, "Elf" is a must see for children of all ages.
As Buddy goes through his blissful life like Will Ferrell did in the movie, Henson too spreads his goodwill on his fellow man. Realizing he is not an elf, but a human, he seeks out for his natural father (his mother died after he was born). His innocence makes even the hardest of New Yorker's soften their tone around him. From the comical store manager (Kalen Allen) to the no non-sense Mr. Greenway (Sean Astin), who owns Greenway publications, (Astin also plays Santa) they are all either put-off by Buddy at first sight, or they think he is mentally unfit. His father, Walter Hobbs (Michael Hayden) wants him out of his families life.
Whereas the movie focused more on Buddy and his half brother, the musical brought the many great actors here to the forefront. To me, this was brilliant because it opened the show up for more comedy options... the store manager, the hot dog vendor and the policemen. Henson had a great blend with all the characters, but I thought that he was at his best with Santa, his new found love, Tiara, the store manager, the saleswoman and the fake Santa.
Like "Music Man", "Back to The Future", "Elf" is a pleasant show, one that the audience can sit back and escape too. With the shows pleasant music, easy to watch dance moves and the great direction that went behind this show, it too will be one that you will remember for a very long time!
"Elf", Broadway, Tony Awards, Hollywood, Will Ferrell, Sean Astin, Grey Henson, Marquis Theatre, Alladin, Harry Potter, Hamilton, Hadestown, Wicked, The Great White Way, The Lion King, Once Upon A Mattress, A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To The Forum, Left On Tenth, The Roommate, Patti Lupone, The Oscars, James Caan.
About the Creator
Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).
I have been writing on theater since 1982. A graduate from Manhattan College B.S. A member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, which recognizes excellence in both English and Science. I have produced 14 shows on and off Broadway. I've seen over700 shows
Reader insights
Insights submitted by your readers will appear here.
Comments
Allow comments on this story
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.
Share your thoughts…(Optional)
Comment
Keep reading
More stories from Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob). and writers in Art and other communities.
Left on Tenth
During the show, "Left on Tenth" at the Jones Theatre, Delia (Julianna Margulies) tells the 4th wall audience that in her life "she takes two steps forward and one step back". Indeed her life seems this way. As a high strung, comical figure, Delia is a writer; her mother and father were writers too. Based on sister Ephron's memoir, "Left" is autobiographical. From the writers of "You've Got Mail" comes this warm, charming and heart- ripping new play that has many great things going for it!
ByRobert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).24 days ago in Art
Legendary
"Alright my brothers listen closely Tonight, we make the Trojans pay Ten years of war they killed us slowly But now we’ll be the ones who slaaay!
ByAlexander McEvoy6 days ago in Art
CRYPTO RECOVERY—HOW TO RECOVER LOST CRYPTOCURRENCY → CONTACT HACKATHON TECH SOLUTION
Hackathon Tech Solutions is a reputable company known for their expertise in recovering lost or stolen cryptocurrency
ByLisa Gabriela6 days ago in Art
Dear Peggy
Dear Peggy, I would’ve titled this story “Dear Mama” but I know Peggy annoys you more. From me to you I guess you’ll remember the season of Thanksgiving as one of the main events when I come by your house and eat up all your food, especially banana pudding, but as shocking as it may be, Thanksgiving is also the time when I reflect on how thankful I am to have you as a mother.
ByJoe Patterson4 days ago in Confessions
Written by Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).
Find us on social media
Miscellaneous links
© 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
