'Elf The Musical' brings Broadway talent to The Music Hall in Portsmouth

Brittany Wason, literary coordinator and content manager at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, is excited about "Elf The Musical" coming to the historic theater.
Brittany Wason, literary coordinator and content manager at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, is excited about "Elf The Musical" coming to the historic theater.

PORTSMOUTH — There's a lot of hustle and bustle, along with lifting, painting and stitching, in preparation for "Elf The Musical," a holiday extravaganza collaboration between The Music Hall and Ogunquit Playhouse.

All the commotion is the collaborators' version of Santa's-sidekicks, toiling away 'til the last minute, creating a wow-worthy gift for all ages.

"This is, by a factor of 10, the largest show we put on every year as a holiday production. It really pushes us," said Monte Bohanan of The Music Hall. "It fills the theater from a production and technical standpoint, and really shows off what we can do for traditional theater, which we don't do (most of) the time."

"Elf The Musical" is based on the 2003 film "Elf," starring Will Ferrell, is a holiday comedy about Buddy, a human, raised by Santa's elves, who learns he's not an elf after all so he heads to New York City to find his biological dad.

This production, a reprisal, features Steven Booth as Buddy and Diana Huey as Jovi, both of whom performed in the earlier 2018 production of the musical at The Music Hall.

Brittany Wason, literary coordinator and content manager for The Music Hall in Portsmouth, is excited for "Elf The Musical" coming to the historic theater.
Brittany Wason, literary coordinator and content manager for The Music Hall in Portsmouth, is excited for "Elf The Musical" coming to the historic theater.

And Santa? He is played by Major Attaway, "one of Broadway's all-time energetic stars" famous for performing as Genie in "Aladdin" on Broadway, according to Brad Kenney, Ogunquit Playhouse's executive artistic director.

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'Literally decking the halls'

The excitement during preparation for this massive undertaking is palpable at The Music Hall during load-in and set-up. The event sees the two organizations hire more than 100 extra people to cover the preparations and actual run.

While the performers begin rehearsal at the Ogunquit theater, Music Hall and Ogunquit staff along with the temporary hires strip the stage to the bone. Then things really heat up.

Bohanan describes the scene the week of set-up.

"Yes, our elves. ... You've got carpenters and special effects working together, and the lighting guys are running tables and hanging lights. You've got costuming setting up one of the dressing rooms just to hold the wigs!" Bohanan said. "Then you've got front-of-house literally decking the halls with garland and holiday decorations."

The load-in includes emptying an entire tractor-trailer of candy bought for concessions just for this event.

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"And costuming, oh my gosh, there's not a square-inch of space backstage that is not used for props, costumes or set pieces," Bonahan said.

Why 'Elf' is returning and a closer look at the performers

So, what's all the fuss for?

A truly meaningful, delightful, all-ages holiday show, according to Kenney.

"Elf The Musical" is back for a number of reasons, he said.

"Just the message, it's a great holiday celebration," Kenney said. "It's about being unique, and staying true to yourself and family,"

And, of course, there's the art of it all, an outstanding creative team.

"There's a wonderful cast with big, big Broadway actors ... and director and designers," Kenney said.

The returning Booth and Huey proved very popular in the original production.

"Steven was a phenomenal Buddy," Bohanan said. "And it's the same with Diana Huey. I remember being blown away by her solo in 2018. So we're really excited to have them both back."

Booth has a long list of credits, among them Broadway's "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical," "School Of Rock," "Glory Days" and "Avenue Q" as well as numerous off-Broadway and television roles. Huey, a Helen Hayes and Gregory Award winner, is known for her portrayal of Kim in "Miss Saigon" at Signature Theatre and Ariel in the national tour of Disney’s "The Little Mermaid." She has performed throughout the United States, including in new musical premieres.

In addition to Attaway's performing as Genie on Broadway for more than three years, he's appeared off-Broadway, and in numerous regional and TV roles, including "The Time Traveler's Wife" on HBO, and "Orange is the New Black" on Netflix, and done voiceover work.

"He's so charismatic and full of life," Kenney said. "We talked to some very famous television people (as well), but in the end there's something so big about a character like his."

Connor Gallagher is back directing "Elf," "now most famous for (choreographing) 'Beetlejuice' on Broadway," Kenney noted.

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What changes can you expect?

Emmy award-winning Jason Sherwood's set from the original collaboration comes with a number of enhancements this time around, and this year's "Elf" also features additions and tweaks.

Audiences can expect the work of projection designer Jason Lee Courson of Clay Aiken's "First Annual Christmas Show" on Broadway among other credits to dazzle. "We've greatly enhanced video rear projection with full animation," Kenney said. "It's really beautiful."

Kenney is particularly proud of casting regional children in most of the elf roles.

Once it all comes together, it will deliver that holiday magic, Kenney said and Bohanan concurs.

"It is just such a joyous and warm, light-hearted show," Bohanan said. "We need something light, something we can laugh with and something we can enjoy."

Go & Do

What: "Elf The Musical"

When: Previews on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; Opens Dec. 2 and runs through Dec. 18

Tickets: $50 to $101; youth tickets start at $45; available online at themusichall.org, at the box office at 28 Chestnut St., or by phone at (603) 436-2400

More info: Visit themusichall.org or call (603) 436-2400.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 'Elf The Musica' at The Music Hall in Portsmouth NH