Moorestown Officials Take The Stage In 'Elf, The Musical'

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown residents will have the chance to see six of their elected officials in a different light when the Moorestown Theater Company’s (MTC) production of “Elf, The Musical” opens on Sunday.

Three members of Moorestown Council and three members of the public school district’s Board of Education will take the stage to play either “Charlie” Dennon or “Charlotte Dennon” when the show takes center stage at Our Lady Perpetual Help Church in Maple Shade.

In the movie, the character of Charlotte Dennon is a news anchor for New York 1 News. She is played by Claire Lautier. MTC Artistic Director Mark Morgan said his theater company is inclusive, and he is proud to have three men and three women playing the role.

The 40-person cast is split into “Black” and “Gold” casts. The following elected officials will be playing the role in the following performances:

• Sunday, 6 p.m.: Councilman Jake Van Dyken
• Tuesday, 7 p.m.: School Board Member-elect Jill Fallows Macaluso
• Thursday, 7 p.m.: Councilman Quinton Law
• Friday, Dec. 10 7 p.m.: School Board Member-elect Cheryl Makopoulos
• Saturday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.: Mayor Nicole Gillespie
• Sunday, Dec. 12, 3 p.m.: School Board Member Mark Villanueva

Additionally, 6 ABC reporter and MTC regular Rick Williams will perform as Buddy the Elf’s father, Walter Hobbs, in the Dec. 5, 7 and 10 shows.

In the “Gold” cast shows in which Williams is playing Hobbs, Lamonte Jordan plays Buddy.

In the “Black” cast shows, Steve Gionta plays Walter Hobbs and Will Reid will play Buddy.

Morgan said MTC has had state senators and assemblymen in previous productions, and current Township Manager Kevin Aberant performed in MTC’s production of “Oklahoma!” when he was mayor.

He said he likes to include local officials because they get a chance to see what goes into an MTC production, and residents are more interested in seeing shows when their elected representatives are involved. He also hopes they enjoy their experiences.

“Elf, The Musical” is the adaptation of the story of Buddy the Elf, a regular human being who ends up in the North Pole, where he is raised. Once he reaches adulthood, Buddy realizes he doesn’t belong with Santa and his gang, and he returns to New York to find his real family.

Our Lady Perpetual Help Church is located at 236 East Main Street in Maple Shade.

Click here to see MTC’s COVID-19 Policy and then to buy tickets: https://www.moorestowntheatercompany.org/general-5. Theatergoers must be vaccinated and wear a mask at the show.

For more information, call MTC at 856-778-8357.

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