Elf Jr. Makes East Coast Debut Saturday in Moorestown

The next few weeks will be the most unique in the 11-year history of the Moorestown Theater Company, and it begins this weekend with the east coast premiere of Elf Jr.

Moorestown is one of only two places in the entire country to see this hour-long production of the adaptation of the Will Ferrell holiday favorite about Buddy the Elf. This production, and the one in Houston, Texas, stars children ages 6-17.

“To get to do something no one else has done is very rare,” Producing Artistic Director Mark Morgan said. “The kids are thrilled and they can’t wait until opening night.”

Opening night is actually Saturday afternoon. The traditional Friday opening night was delayed one day due to the Candelight Night community event on Main Street Friday night.

In fact, the Theater Company will be marching in Saturday’s Holiday Parade before their 2 p.m. debut. It’s a busy day and a busy couple of weeks for the company, which will also host the world premiere of Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens in a few weeks.

New York-based Music Theatre International has been impressed with the Moorestown Theater Company’s productions for a number of years, Morgan said.

Music Theater International licenses productions of adult and junior versions of Broadway musicals.

“They know us and they trust us,” Morgan said. “They know we know how to do a show.”

So when it came time to put on two big premieres, Moorestown Theater Company received both calls.

The company is seeing the difficulties and the benefits of putting on a premiere.

They have to make their own costumes for this year’s production, but will be one of the few places other companies can come to get costumes when the production becomes available to everyone next year.

Thom Sirkot has designed eight different elf costumes for this year’s show.

They have no set. However, they were able to pick up parts of a set that were going to be discarded following Walnut Street’s adult version of the show.

“We’re going to have sets on stage that were used by professional actors,” Morgan said.

Perhaps the most important aspect is there are no prior performances to influence the actors’ perceptions on how the show should be done.

“The kids don’t have anyone else to see to influence them,” Morgan said.

Music Theater International will be keeping an eye on the production. They will see it, and will want photos from the show.

The show is double cast, with 59 total actors performing songs such as : “Happy All The Time”, “The World’s Greatest Dad”, “SparkleJollyTwinkleJingly”, “A Christmas Song”, “Never Fall In Love (With An Elf)”, and of course “The Story Of Buddy (The Elf)”. The musical also features the characters of ‘Santa Claus’ and his North Pole ‘Elves’.

There will be eight total shows, with each cast performing four shows. There are performers from throughout the area, including Moorestown, Cinnaminson, Delran, Lumberton and Hainesport.

“We have so much talent,” Morgan said. “Each kid has four performances. It’s harder on the directors, but it gets the kids better at what they’re doing.”

Cast lists are available on the theater company’s website, moorestowntheatercompany.org.

Morgan will direct. Carol Ann Murray is the Vocal Director and Rachel Smith is the Choreographer.

Tickets are $10 and are going fast. Morgan said they won’t turn anyone away, but recommends going online to purchase tickets ahead of time.

The show will be performed at Upper Elementary School, 801 North Stanwick Road.

Show times are as follows:

Saturday, Dec. 6: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 7: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12: 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 14: 2 p.m.

Attached images were provided by the Moorestown Theater Company: Santa’s Elves singing in MTC’s “Elf, Jr.,” which makes its east coast debut Saturday in Moorestown