When a young lady arrives at her parents’ Palm Springs manor on Christmas Eve with a copy of her ‘tell-all’ memoir in tow she uncovers a devastating family secret—launching her parents into a panic that threatens to rip the clan apart.

This scintillating Pulitzer Prize finalist will grip you from start to finish.  Don’t miss CVRep’s staging of a play that’s close to home in so many ways.

With stinging wit and razor-sharp insight, OTHER DESERT CITIES “has the appeal of a Broadway hit from another age” (The New York Times).

The production opens April 23rd, 2025 and will feature five incredibly talented actors all with New York credits.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Elf the Musical Lands on the VERY, VERY NICE LIST! The show has CRACKED THE CODE OF ALL-AGES COMEDY, the kind that will leave children and grown-ups equally helpless with laughter.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Starring an EXUBERANT GREY HENSON, Elf the Musical has gotten Buddy DELIGHTFULLY, ENTIRELY RIGHT. It’s a tonic of a performance – the kind that makes you smile later, just thinking about it.”

TIME OUT

★★★★ “Elf the Musical is a Christmas Gift. My grinchiness vanished; to be replaced with a big wide grin…THIS SHOW IS REALLY ELFIN’ GOOD.”

THE NEW YORKER

“This revival EXUDES FRESHNESS–from Grey Henson’s spirited performance as a wide-eyed Buddy to Liam Steel’s playful choreography. The book and the score HAVE THE CRACKLE AND GLOW OF A FIRE IN THE HEARTH. Altogether, it’s enough to MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS.”

DAILY BEAST

“With ROUSING SEAONSAL NUBMERS and NIFTY WIFT, Elf the Musical is a gift for kids and adults, and a very ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’ night out!”

DEADLINE

“Fans of the film, this cheery Elf has your tinseled name on it! A TERRIFIC SEAN ASTIN is having what seems to be the time of his life, as Santa himself…GREY HENSON fits into Buddy’s green winklepickers AS CINDERELLA DID A GLASS SLIPPER.”

BBC RADIO

“A CROWD-PLEASING, FEEL-GOOD DELIGHT, with SUPER SHOWMANSHIP and great dance choreography. The PERFECT STOCKINGSTUFFER, for children and adults alike this holiday season.”

THE SUN

“A RARE THING: A musical comedy that succeeds in its own GIDDY INGENUITY. AS SMART, EBULLIENT PRODUCTION that truly provides fun for the whole family.”

THEATERMANIA

“It made this jaded critic believe in Santa Claus again for one GLIMMERING, EPHEMERAL MOMENT OF THEATER MAGIC.”

The Three Musketeers musical produced by Shochiku Co, Ltd and Quarus Inc.

Masayuki Sakamoto and Seiya Suezawa star in the adventure story of the bond between Athos and D’Artagnan in the original musical “The Three Musketeers.”

While retaining the elements of a spectacular adventure drama, the production emphasized the psychological depiction of the characters. The main theme song “All For Love”, was once sung by Bryan Adams with Rod Stewart and Sting as the theme song of the movie “The Three Musketeers.”

“The Three Musketeers” was performed at the Nissei Theater in Tokyo from September 8 ~ 28, at Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen HBG Hall in Hiroshima from October 4 ~ 6, and at Sky Theater MBS in Osaka from October 18 ~ 27. The production played to sold out houses and critical raves in all three cities. The production became so successful plans are being made for a revival.

Masayuki Sakamoto, Seiya Suezawa star in thee musical “The Three Musketeers” along with co-stars Tomona Yahiku, Kohei Ueguchi, Yuichi Harada, Ryuji Ueyama, Sylvia Grubb, and Kiyotaka Imai

By Patrick Hipes

‘Elf the Musical’  Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Elf the Musical, which returned to Broadway last month for a limited run, grossed $2,230,419 across eight performances for the week ending December 22, breaking the house record at the Marquis Theatre to highlight the pre-holiday box office frame.

The revival, which stars Mean Girls Tony nominee Grey Hanson as Buddy the Elf and Sean Astin as Santa, beat its previous week’s gross of $2,033,784 and grew to 98% capacity at the massive Marquis. The show was fourth overall in box office for the week behind only the usual suspects Wicked (a frame-leading $3,024,095 at the Gershwin), The Lion King ($2,897,476 at the Minskoff) and Hamilton ($2,491,550 at the Richard Rodgers), all of which also saw week-over-week gains.

Based on the now-holiday staple 2023 movie starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau, Elf the Musical first opened on Broadway during the 2010-2011 season with a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. It returned to New York for a 2012-2013 holiday run with a revised book. It had record-breaking holiday runs in the West End in 2022 and 2023.

For the frame, Elf surpassed the previous Marquis record held by Beetlejuice, which grossed $2,146,200 million the week ending January 8, 2023. Elf is set to run through January 5.

Photo by Andy Henderson

AS REPORTED ON PLAYBILL:

“It was also a sparkle-jolly-twinkle-jin-gle-y week for Elf The Musical, with gross sales of $2,230,419 and an average ticket price of $177.21. In fact, the holiday return of the family-friendly holiday show, co-starring Grey Henson and Sean Astin, broke the house record at the Marquis. The previous record of $2,146,200 was held by Beetlejuice for its eight-performance week ending January 8, 2023.“

Photo by Andy Henderson

Elf the Musical on Broadway grossed over $2 million at the box office for the week ending 12/15/2024. For the fourth week in a row the show has been in the top five. The show continues to bring holiday cheer, laughter and the “Elfie” spirit to capacity audiences. Congrats to the entire company!!!

Photo by Andy Henderson

Elf the Musical on Broadway hits the top of the highest grossing shows for a third week. Grossing $1,826,498.00 the holiday critical hit is an audience hit as well. Among the top five shows for the week were Wicked, Lion King, Hamilton and Sunset Blvd. Not bad company for an Elf. Tickets are moving very quickly for the limited run which closes on January 4th. Happy Holidays to everyone.

By Liz Keill

Published December 11, 2024 at 11:44 AM

CHATHAM, NJ – The Charles Dickens perennial tale of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and  residents of London comes vividly to life in Chatham Players’ ”A Christmas Carol.”

Part of what makes this version so appealing is the spot-on direction and choreography by Amanda Papa and Matt Mancuso. As they note, it is a ghost story and even Dickens learns in the telling.

There are superb performances by Jonathan Richards as Ebenezer Scrooge and the versatile Chris Prestera as Charles Dickens.  I’m not sure how much seeing Dickens on stage really matters, but he occasionally adds insights we might miss otherwise. He also understands and visualizes the ravages of poverty.

The songs add a contrasting dimension, especially when Scrooge’s worldly goods are being sold off after his death during the Ghost of Christmas Future.  Their “Cheery Oh Ta Ta” in “The Pawnbroker’s Song” is gleefully performed by Rebecca Iacovitti, Heather Corzine, Paul Salierno and Ed Faver.

The Fezziwig scene is especially appealing, with Mr. Fezziwig (Nick Foil) and his wife (Iacovitti) leading off a sprightly “Dance with Your Dumplin’, Dance with Your Tart.” All of these visits to the past help us see how Ebenezer could have taken a different path and led a happier life.

Jason Benjamin as Bob Cratchit brings a grace and depth to the role, which is usually played as rather diminished  and broken down.  It helps that he can sing and dance in “Not Tomorrow” along with his family as they anticipate Christmas Day.  The tragic scene in Act II, “If I Could Hold You in My Arms” is touching  when sung by Benjamin and Lisa Wolper as Mrs. Cratchit. Then we have an adorable Tiny Tim, played by Leo Caravano. The large cast keeps it all moving, with varied roles, as the play moves along.

This version of the classic, adapted from writings and letters of Charles Dickens by Philip Wm. McKinley, gives us a greater sense of street life in London in 1843. Roy S. Pancirov designed the flexible set. Costumes by Frances Harrison and Beth Gleason reflect the styles of the time. Kudos to the musicians, with arrangements by Kyle Cao, that enhance the setting without overwhelming the actors.

“A Christmas Carol” continues through Dec. 21. For tickets, call 973-635-7363 or visit chathamplayers.org.  The Playhouse is located 23 North Passaic Avenue, Chatham.

Photo by Andy Henderson

ELF the Musical was among the top four highest grossing Broadway shows the week of 12/2/2024. Only Wicked, Hamilton, and Lion King were higher. The show earned $1,947,923 which marks the second-highest gross for an eight-performance week in the 38-year history of the Marquis Theatre (with the largest eight-performance week record belonging to “Beetlejuice,” which earned $2,146,200 during the week ending Jan. 8, 2023).

Congratulations to the entire company!!! Tickets are selling fast for the final weeks. Grab them now and have a very Elf-y Christmas!!!

THIS WAS MY FAVORITE REVIEW OF ELF THE MUSCIAL!

I try not to make it a habit to read reviews from my shows. (We all try – how often do we succeed?) My sister sent me this review of ELf the Musical and I have to say it’s my absolute favorite review. The writer (Ross) starts out his article by saying he’s miserable and really didn’t want to go to the theater. I wish all reviewers started their columns with their mindset and mood. If you don’t have time, read the two bold sections at the top and the bottom of the article. My kudos to Mr. Ross for his honesty! It speaks to how theater can change a person’s outlook. Enjoy!!

November 24, 2024 By Ross 

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

I think my heart grew a few sizes larger the other night while watching Elf – the Musical at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre. And I’m not kidding. I walked into the theatre a big grouch. I’ve had a hard busy work day, all the while navigating a pulled muscle in my lower back and a sore shoulder muscle that never stopped aching all day. I was tired, cranky, and basically thinking I would be much better off in bed on painkillers drinking a hot toddy. Happy Holidays everyone, but within minutes of the most surprisingly sweet and festive two and a half hours on Broadway, my discomfort was gone. Just from watching this charmingly funny tale of a very tall elf who learns just days before Christmas that he isn’t actually an elf, but a human, who, a long time ago crawled into Santa’s sack when he was just a wee infant. And instead of Santa returning him to his momma (a question that never crossed my mind until now), Buddy the Elf was raised by the happiest of happy elves who dance and sing up a storm and make toys at record speed. Now that’s a wonderful life, I’m thinking.

Grey Hensen, Sean Astin Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

Now one might call me a Classic Christmas enthusiast, who can not make it through the holiday season without watching: “It’s a Wonderful Life“, “Love, Actually“, “A Christmas Story“, and the one and only original animated “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas“. Never ever the live-action film. I avoid films like that, and “Elf”, the 2003 film that starred Will Ferrell, and I really had no intention of watching it. Pretty much ever (I still believe that to be true). But I have to say, the musical version, brought to magical life by the talented team that delivered The Prom to Broadway, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin, is just what the holiday doctor ordered, or should have, as I totally forgot about my aches and pains (and my hard day) for the entirety of the show.

Kalen Allen, Grey Henson, and The Cast of Broadway’s Elf the Musical. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Perfectly embodied and sung by the gem, Grey Henson (Broadway’s Mean Girls; Shucked), Buddy the Elf is, like his familial elves, “Happy All the Time“, until it slips out that he is not like all the other elves. He’s special, they tell him. And by special, they mean human, and not at all an elf. So with a little holiday push by Santa, played lovingly by Sean Astin (“Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Buddy is off to New York City to find his father and, in turn, help him, who Santa states is firmly stamped on the naughty list, rediscover his holiday spirit and reconnect with his family. His journey is long, assisted by the somewhat straightforward heavily projected set and costuming by Tim Goodchild (West End’s Strangers on a Train), with festive lighting by Patrick Woodroffe (Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell), and sound design by Gareth Owen (Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen) & Peter Fitzgerald (Broadway’s Purlie Victorious..), that feels somewhat more like a touring production, rather than a planted Broadway show, but it really doesn’t effect his “sparklyjollytwinklejingley” spirit that never fades, even when he finally comes face to face with his overworked and overwhelmed Daddy (Walter) Hobbs, played gloriously sour by Michael Hayden (Broadway’s Judgment at Nuremberg).

He tries to follow Santa’s sage advice, “ask first, then hug” but Buddy’s enthusiasm doesn’t do the festive family trick. It only engages and enlists boss Hobbs’ staff, led by the fabulously talented Jennifer Sánchez (Red Bull Theater’s The Alchemist) as office assistant Deb, who initially mistakes Buddy for a singing telegram entertainer. This mismatch doesn’t go well, as expected, and Buddy finds himself escorted out into the street, and pointed towards the ‘North Pole’ village at the nearby Macy’s Department Store. In some way, this is the Christmas match he needs, filling the standoffish employees there with his happy elfin spirit, promoted by the anxious store manager played hilariously well by Kalen Allen (Netflix’s “Meet Me Next Christmas“). Who also can sell you the greatest hotdogs in town, depending on your mood or taste buds.

Kayla Davion and Grey Henson in Broadway’s Elf the Musical. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

But the main event of that short overnight stay is when Buddy the Elf falls quickly and hopelessly in love with the pretty Jovie, a determined-to-be practical store-elf-for-hire, who doesn’t believe in all that joyful, hopeful magic of Christmas, vowing to “Never Fall in Love (With and Elf)” or so she states. Powerhouse Kayla Davion (Off-Broadway’s White Girl in Danger) as Jovie knocks down that gingerbread house (not literally) with her killer vocals and sweet straightforward charm, pulling us in with ease to her wishful thinking and romantic ideals. We can’t help but fall for her as quickly as Buddy does, but his forgetfulness at crucial moments places a few obstacles for this sleigh ride to continue down its non-snowy path. But we are very forgiving for the lovable Buddy, and we hold onto our festive hearts hoping (and knowing) she will be forgiving too.

You see, Walter Hobbs, the unknown father of Buddy, works long hard hours as a publisher of children’s books in an Empire State Building office. He’s far too busy and stressed to go Christmas shopping with his wife, Emily, gloriously well-played by lovely-voiced Ashley Brown (Encores’ The Golden Apple), and their son, Michael, delightfully portrayed by Kai Edgar (Ahmanson’s A Christmas Story). But after an altercation with Macy’s fake Santa, Buddy is dropped off at the Hobbs’ door by a couple of jolly policemen, and a bond begins to form with his newfound family, one that we know will benefit them all, once they embrace his joyful soul.

Michael Hayden, Ashley Brown, Kai Edgar, Grey Henson, and Kayla Davion Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

His new stepmom can’t help herself but giggle along with all of us as we watch Henson’s Buddy drive the story forward as only he can, giving us “A Christmas Song” and energy that can’t be denied. With Buddy decked out in human work clothes whispering “Dad” until he can’t help but yell it out, Elf never stops for a second, completely captivating us all in its holiday cheer and goodwill. The songs, particularly the lyrics, are impossible not to love, especially “The Story of Buddy the Elf” sung with such cheer, and backed up by the effervescent choreography of Liam Steel (West End/Broadway’s Company) layered like icing on top of the orchestrations cake by music supervisor Alan Williams (Broadway’s Funny Girl). It could make anyone believe in Santa, even the grouchy Mr. Greenway (Astin) who demands everyone work through Christmas just so he can publish a new children’s Christmas storybook.

Naturally, everything comes together in the end, energizing the New York City Christmas spirit in ways that will make you smile stupidly from ear to ear and send a sleigh soaring. As directed with a heartful of joy and love by Philip Wm. McKinley (Broadway’s The Boy From Oz), Elf flies high into the Central Park sky, and I can’t begin to tell you just how much this production cured my rainy workday Thursday night blues, ushering me into Christmas, before sending me out into the difficult streets of New York City with the happiest of elvish steps, humming the music and singing “Buddy the Elf” as I made my way home. Hensen’s Buddy certainly knows how to play those Christmas bells in a way that lifted the weight off my shoulders, reducing my achy muscles, and giving me a little lump in my throat. And I’m sure it did the same to all those enthralled kids around me, including the adult-plus-one I brought with me that night. Don’t miss your chance to care about Santa once again with Broadway’s Elf the Musical.

Grey Henson and Jennifer Sanchez (center) with The Cast of Broadway’s Elf the Musical. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.