Harry Connick Jr. Sends Balloon Bouquet to Cast Performing His Holiday Musical in East Bay

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – A huge balloon bouquet arrived at the Front Row Theater in San Ramon opening night of “The Happy Elf” musical with a card that read, “To The Happy Elf cast, congratulations! Have a great run!” The card was signed “Harry Connick, Jr.”

On that note, the popular holiday musical created by the Grammy winner, composer and lyricist opened to a packed house Dec. 2. The show is scheduled to run two more weekends this month.

The musical, which is directed by Regina Stoneham of The Stone House Theater Company, is cast with performers from all over Tri-Valley. The cast features J.D. Cerruti in the title role as Eubie, an overly happy elf trying to save the very naughty children of Bluesville. J.D. performs alongside his real-life dad and sister, Mike and Daelyn Cerruti, of Livermore.

The naughtiest of them all is little Molly from Bluesville, played by Alexandra Nicola who also shares the stage with little sister, Allegra, both from Dublin.

Ella Eisenstadt plays Molly's naughty sidekick, Curtis, while her mom, Lori Beth Eisenstadt, is featured as Gurt, the wife of Bluesville's mayor, who is played by Mike Cerruti.

The entire Fererra family, Cindy, Robert and Kinsey, of Pleasanton, appear together nightly, and elves Gilda, played by Shannon Greenhouse and Hamm, performed by Alex Radzanowski, have parents on the production staff. Finally, little Sophia Warren of Dublin sings like an angel while her mom, Sarah Warren, stirs up trouble in Bluesville.

Tickets for "The Happy Elf" are available online or by calling 925-973-3343. General admission tickets are $18.

Showtimes:

• Friday and Saturday matinees: Dec. 10, 17 at 3 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday evenings: Dec. 9, 16, & 17 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday matinee: Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.

ALSO SEE: Build A 'Peanuts' Gingerbread Doghouse; Drive-Thru Fantasy Lights; 'Accordion Babes' Concert: Your NorCal Weekend

By Autumn Johnson (Patch National Staff)/Photo credit: Tron Miller of Placer Productions