'Elf: The Musical' at Seven Angels in Waterbury - A Review

Dedicated to the the memory of the elf Caroll Spinney

Waterbury, CT - Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury opened a sparkly production of ELF: THE MUSICAL this weekend that is loaded with fun to an audience packed with children enjoying the perfect musical for the holiday season.

The book for the musical version was written by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with music by Mathew Skylar and cheery lyrics by Chad Beguelin. It is based on the well-known New Line Cinema movie by David Berenbaum. Both versions tell the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is magically transported back to the North Pole. Somehow unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities finally cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s blessing, Buddy the Elf journeys to New York to find his biological father and attempt to help the jaded city folk remember the true meaning of Christmas.

The inimitable Jimmy Donohue (Barfee in SPELLING BEE, Waiter/Man #3 in FIRST DATE at 7A) stars as Buddy the Elf and he is surrounded by a great local cast for what is a Stage 7 community theatre production. Mr. Donohue played the role of Buddy in the Landmark Community Theatre production and this reprise of the now-iconic character is non-stop, high energy and a joy to watch.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear!

In the role of Santa is played by the one and only Tom Chute (LEGALLY BLONDE as Callahan, NUNCRACKERS, GEORGE AND GRACIE,) the general manager of WATR radio 1320AM and the morning drive broadcast guy. You may not recognize him right away in his Santa suit, but you can’t miss the voice, for his narration and especially for his musical numbers, and the comic timing. While there were a number of TC fans in the audience, I am convinced that I enjoyed his performance the most of anyone in the audience. He also appeared as a police officer when Santa was back at the North Pole.

Lou Guerin of Thomaston did very well in the role of Buddy’s human father Walter Hobbs in his debut at 7A; he played the role of Walter in Thomaston. Marcia Maslo (SHOWSTOPPERS, NUNSENSE, SEUSSICAL) was a delight as Walter’s wife Emily, the role she also played in Thomaston. Lilah Pape sang well as their daughter Molly in her debut at 7A, the role played by Connor Barth (as Michael) in the national tour.

The lovely Jovie was brought to life by Equity candidate Autumn Eliza Sheffy, a recent graduate of Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Joe Stofko (Uncle Henry in THE WIZARD OF OZ, SEUSSICAL) was the mean Mr. Greenway, Walter’s boss at the children’s book publishing company. It was a special treat to see the svelte Michelle Gotay (CHRISTMAS EVE AT EARLENE’S DINER, NUNCRACKERS) in another holiday production at 7A, this time in the role of the company secretary Deb, where she was a riot, and also as the server at the Christmas Eve Chinese restaurant. The latter has a certain Earlene Babcock flair that made me smile.

In the ensemble, I saw Alex Polzun, Ella Perrotti, Alexandra Olinyk, Keith Nelson, Phil Marioano (Elvis in SHOWSTOPPERS,) WAMS freshman Anthony Marchetti, Elijah Loucks, Norma Jean Lombard, the adorable Ian and Zoe Kindt, Justin Henry, Chrissy Flynn, Lily Emanuel, Diane DeLucia, Adrienne Buckley, Melissa Brown, Nicholas Bates, Don Atkinson and Camryn McCarthy. Mr. Henry (ALTAR BOYZ, ROCK AND ROLL REDEMPTION) was memorable as the Macy’s manager and I was very impressed with the dancing of Ms. Flynn, a true triple threat, as well as the style of Mr. Polzun in his debut at 7A.

The orchestra made the score sound wonderful, with Mr. Thompson conducting and on keyboard 3, Leo Lavalle on trumpet, either Ken Nigro or John Pytel on reed 1, Seth Ulrichek on keyboards, Rick Scarola on upright bass and the ever-present Mark Ryan on drums.

Semina De Laurentis directed the musical, but she credits Mr. Donohue as her co-director in the printed program. TJ Thompson was behind the keyboard as the dedicated musical director and Brittany Mulchay served as the choreographer of the always delightful dance moves.

Kimberly Jackson designed the holiday set that features a large snow globe and the lighting design by Doug Harry added to the festivity. Costumes designed by Jack Richards added to the cheer with great wigs designed by Joel Silvestro. Matt Martin was in his usual place behind the soundboard, ensuring that everyone was heard.

The fun musical runs through December 22 at Seven Angels. Remaining performance dates and times include Dec. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at an early 7:00 PM and Dec. 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 2:00 PM.

I encourage you to bring your family and friends to this new Christmas classic. Tickets are: $15 for kids, $28 for adults and an adult 4 pack for $99. Tours are welcome. Doors and Devil's Corner Bar open one hour before the show. To purchase call the box office at 203-757-4676, online at SevenAngelsTheatre.org, or at the box office at 1 Plank Road, Waterbury. Free Parking. Just off I-84. Minutes from Route 8. **GPS directions use: Hamilton Park, Waterbury.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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