Review: 'Harry Connick, Jr.'s The Happy Elf' by Landmark Community Theatre

Thomaston, CT - Landmark Community Theatre decided to treat the youngest of theatre patrons to a holiday musical. Harry Connick, Jr.’s ‘The Happy Elf’ opened Thanksgiving weekend and runs through Dec. 11 at the Thomaston Opera House.

James Donohue (who directed ‘Disney’s Mary Poppins’) returns as director of this happy musical and hopes that his audience may “believe in the magic all over again.” In his director’s note, he explains that back in Dec. 2005 Harry Connick, Jr. released a hit 3-D cartoon movie that included his smash hit single “The Happy Elf.” Over the years this was adapted into a full-length musical that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. The director writes that the cast and crew have been working tirelessly for the past two months to bring the North Pole to the Thomaston Opera House. During his curtain speech, he pointed out a balloon arrangement that was sent to the cast by none other than Harry Connick, Jr.

Chuck Stango was back on the Thomaston Opera House stage to play the cranky Norbert, and of course, he nailed the comedy in the role. So convincing was he that during an applause break in his song, a young man seated behind me decided to yell out “We’re not clapping for you!” Mr. Stango heard it but did not break character. On social media he took it as a sign that he had arrived as a children’s show stage villain. And I cannot forget Brady McKenna as his Little Norbert.

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The Sunday matinee was the third holiday production that I had attended in three days and it was by far the one that had the most well-dressed children in the audience. Perhaps their grownups had read the flyer that was distributed at area elementary schools that offered a discount for tickets for families. They all seemed to enjoy everything about this production and many clamored to get their photo taken with the actors after the curtain call.

Lisa Reardon, the owner of Lisa Cherie Photography, was honored in the Volunteer Spotlight with this production. Remaining performances of ‘The Happy Elf’ are December 2, 3, 9, 10 @ 7pm and December 4, 11 @ 2pm SPECIAL RATE: Family 4 pack of tickets & a family photo with Santa for only $60. Visit www.landmarkcommunitytheatre.org for more info.

Pictured: (left to right) Josh Viltrakis as "Hamm," Nick Komons as "Eubie," and CJ Barber as "Gilda." Photo credit: Lisa Cherie Photography