By Josh Wainright, PPT Marketing Director

A title known the world over, “Elf The Musical” is a must-see holiday musical based on the cherished New Line Cinema hit, Elf (starring Will Ferrell in the title role) featuring songs by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.

Buddy (Jack Wilhelm), a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. Santa (Alex Blumenthal) explains that Buddy’s father, Walter (Garrett Alewine), works in the Empire State Building, doesn’t know about Buddy’s existence and is on the “Naughty List” for his lack of Christmas spirit.

With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Once there he not only finds his workaholic dad, but a 10-year-old half-brother (Cooper Fleeman) who doesn’t even believe in Santa, a very surprised stepmom (Kaylee Hawley), and unexpectedly falls in love at first sight with a Macy’s saleswoman named Jovie (Jillian Rippey).

Buddy soon realizes that not only doesn’t his family believe in the spirit of Christmas, but neither do many other New Yorkers, which is a problem, because Santa’s sleigh is powered by the people’s belief in Christmas. Faced with this harsh reality, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

This modern-day holiday classic, opening at the Norvell Theater next Thursday, is sure to make theatergoers of all ages embrace his or her “inner elf,” with a typically spectacular set by director Reid Leonard, upbeat and jolly choreography by Gwen Matthews and eye-popping colorful costuming by Ashley Ward and Eastern Costume Company.

If you like big Broadway musicals with hummable songs, lots of jokes and great dancing, get ready to dance your way into the holiday season with Piedmont Players Theatre’s production of “Elf The Musical.” The show’s message about family and innocence is a great gift to anyone you know who loves the holiday season!

Show dates: Dec. 8-10 and 15-17 at 7:30 p.m., plus Dec. 10, 11 and 17 at 2:30 p.m. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. Ticket s: Adults $12, students/seniors $10 at 704-633-5471 or PiedmontPlayers.com

Producing Partner: Crescent Construction Services.

 

“A splashy, peppy, sugar-sprinkled holiday entertainment!” — NY Times

“Just the thing for any christmas list – kid or grown up!” — Associated Press

MEET THE CAST

BUDDY – JACK WILHELM (8th Grade, West Rowan Middle)

JOVIE – JILLIAN RIPPEY (10th Grade, Carson High)

SANTA – ALEX BLUMENTHAL (8th Grade, Knox Middle)

MICHAEL – COOPER FLEEMAN (6th Grade, Sacred Heart)

WALTER –  GARRETT ALEWINE (10th Grade, Carson High)

EMILY – KAYLEE HAWLEY (11th Grade, Carson High)

DEB – AINSLEE LOWERY (6th Grade, Erwin Middle)

CHADWICK – MANDI STOYANOV (7th Grade, West Rowan Middle)

MATTHEWS – STELLA KOONTZ (5th Grade, MorganElementary)

CHARLOTTE DENNON – ABBY BOGLE (7th Grade, Kannapolis Middle)

DARLENE LAMBERT – ALYSSA ALLEY (7th Grade, West Rowan Middle)

EMMA VAN BROCKLIN – MEG BIVENS (6th Grade, China Grove Middle)

MR. GREENWAY – HAYDEN PALMER (8th Grade, China Grove Middle)

SAM – TAYLOR RUSSELL (11th Grade, Salisbury High)

SHAWANDA THE ELF – AVA MORRIS (4th Grade, Salisbury Academy)

CHARLIE THE ELF – PEYTON HOLLAR (4th Grade, Salisbury Academy)

MANAGER – ABBY CAMPION (7th Grade, Knox Middle)

SANTA’S HELPER – COURTNEY WILLIAMS (6th Grade, Salisbury Academy)

SECURITY GUARD/FAKE SANTA – DIEGO CORONA (8th Grade, Erwin Middle)

SECURITY GUARD – EMMA PATTERSON (9thGrade, Davie Early College)

SALESWOMAN – MEREDITH SWAIM (9th Grade, West Rowan High)

 

ELVES

LUCY BARR (4th Grade, Salisbury Academy)

LUCY BLAKELEY BLACK (4th Grade, Faith Elementary)

HANNAH BOGLE (5th Grade, Kannapolis Intermediate)

PEYTON CONNOLLY (5th Grade, Faith Elementary)

MAGGIE CROSS (4th Grade, Overton Elementary)

ALAYNA DAY (4th Grade, Rockwell Elementary)

NATALIE DAY (4th Grade, Rockwell Elementary)

MEREDITH WILLIAMS (3rd Grade, Salisbury Academy)

 

NEW YORKERS

MADELYN ALBRIGHT (6th Grade, Knox Middle)

LAUREL EVERETT (5th Grade, Bostian Elementary)

JA CORY PATTERSON (2nd Grade, North Rowan Elementary)

LILA ROSSER (6th Grade, North Rowan Middle)

CONNOR TOWNS (3rd Grade, Salisbury Academy)

ASHLEY YANG (4th Grade, Salisbury Academy)