Review: 'Elf The Musical' by Landmark Community Theatre

Pictured above: James Donohue as Buddy the Elf with Grace Consonni as Jovie All photos by Lisa Cherie Photography

“Just spread some Christmas cheer, by singing loud for all to hear…” A Christmas Song

Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Ruth M. Sasso, our Christmas elf in Heaven

Thomaston, CT - Landmark Community Theatre is joyfully presenting ELF THE MUSICAL on the stage of the Thomaston Opera House through December 16, just in time for the holidays.

The musical is based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, a film that I will admit that I have never watched to the end. ELF THE MUSICAL is described as "the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy's enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas."

With songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (THE WEDDING SINGER ), a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (ANNIE, THE PRODUCERS, HAIRSPRAY) and Bob Martin (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) this Christmas classic is set in modern day. Don't miss the ANNIE reference, which shares a book writer with this show.

Christmas is “a joyous celebration in the middle of the winter. It can light our hearts, and warm our spirits. Christmas is for everyone and that is exactly what Buddy the Elf believes. Christmas spreads, encourages generosity, and just makes you feel good. I for one love to embrace what makes me feel good and I hope this show will spread “SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley” feeling in everyone that experiences it.” - Mensah Robinson, director

Danbury resident Mensah Robinson, in a blue velvet Santa cap on opening night, directed this sparkly show. There are colorful elf costumes, red velvet Santa suits, and falling snow. There are ice skaters at Rockefeller Center, lots of singing and dancing (with very good choreography by Rhiannon Carta that included dancing on elf knees) and a flying modified sleigh. A set designed by David Verdosi worked well and the modern costumes by Lori Poulin, the production manager at Phoenix Stage Company, did as well. There is, of course, a cute story that is full of witty remarks that kept the adults laughing and accomplishes all of what Mr. Robinson set out to do.

To say that the cast stars James Donohue in the lead role of Buddy seems a bit of an understatement. This energetic (faux) redhead sang amazingly well and had a boyish charm that belied his stature. The amount of energy that Mr. Donohue put into his performance was almost overwhelming to watch, but it perfectly matched the behavior of an earnest human raised by elves at the North Pole. I could not stop smiling whenever he was on the stage and appreciated the bell solo.

Marcia Maslo had a marvelous stage presence as the wife of Buddy’s biological father Walter, who was well-played by Lou Guertin (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD with Landmark.). Lauren Monge (IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU in Goshen) was a sketch as his secretary Deb, and Dave Cadwell, a founding member of The Town Hall Players in Cornwall, played both ends of the temperment spectrum as the demanding boss Mr. Greenway and the storyteller Santa Claus (with Susie Hackel as Mrs. Claus.)

Tunxis Community College student Grace Consonni was just right as Buddy's love interest Jovie, and Frank Beaudry brought a strong stage presence (as always) to the role of the store manager at Macy's.

The ensemble featured many strong male and female performers; I spotted Erica Blasko, WAMS sophomore Eric Canfield, Chrissy Flynn, Aric Martin, Zachary Taylor and, making his Landmark debut, young Hunter Diedrich (and his sister Charlotte) among the crowd of talent.

WAMS eighth grade student Ethan Wollman (Curtis in THE HAPPY ELF) played young Michael. (Fun fact: local actor Connor Barth ate the spaghetti and syrup in this role in the national tour.) Mr. Wollman has a wonderfully clear tenor voice that he used well in his two duets with his onstage mom and he did a great job in the role of Walter and Emily's son.

The 13 musicians listed in the program that sat in the elevated pit were directed by John Dressel and the orchestra sounded great. There were some noticeable issues with the lighting that may or may not have been related to the terrific video projections by Carrie DeMilio (content) and Shomori Robinson (videographer.) There were also some sound issues on opening night, especially with the mic of Mr. Donohue, that were ultimately corrected.

Landmark has added one more matinee of Elf on Saturday December 15th at 1pm. Remaining performances are December 7, 8, 14, 15 @ 7pm, December 15 @ 1pm and December 9, 16 @ 2pm. Reserve your seats today by calling 860-283-6250 or online at www.landmarkcommunitytheatre.org Come early to hear Juan Cardona play carols on the wonderful theatre organ.

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 on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.