'Elf Jr.' Kicks Off Holiday Season In Woodstock

WOODSTOCK, GA -- Elm Street Cultural Arts Village's adaptation of "Elf," the popular 2003 holiday comedy starring Will Ferrell, will signal the unofficial start of the holiday season in downtown Woodstock.

"Elf Jr." follows the events of the film while introducing a fresh way to celebrate the humor and love of the holiday season. The heartwarming, yet funny songs are sure to carry audiences into the holiday spirit with a cheeriness that can only stem from an upbeat score, uplifting message of togetherness and the power of childlike wonder.

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his 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 and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Returning to the Elm Street stage, Lauren Volk and Lucas Lee -- previously seen as Princess Ariel and Prince Eric in last year’s production of "The Little Mermaid" -- lead a cast of incredibly talented youngsters as the effervescent Buddy the Elf and the enjoyably cynical Jovie, respectively.

"Elf Jr." is the newest production in Elm Street's Spotlight series, which allows budding actors "to seek the thrill of theatre in a more educational setting while still gaining the experience of staging a full, public production," said Elm Street Education Manager Siobhan Brumbelow.

"Elf Jr." will run 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10-12. The show, held at the Chambers at City Center, is rated PG, and tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information, call 678-494-4251 or visit elmstreetarts.org.

Photo: Lucas Lee, previously seen in Disney’s "The Little Mermaid Jr." and "Annie Get Your Gun," plays the title character of Buddy the Elf. Credit: Elm Street Cultural Arts Village