Warner Bros Theatrical Ventures Presents
ELF THE MUSICAL
Music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin
Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
Broadway Premiere: Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Nov 14, 2010
Broadway Return Engagement: Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 2012
West End Premiere: Dominion Theatre, Nov 6, 2015
West End Return Engagements: Dominion Theatre 2022, 2023
Broadway Revival: Marquis Theatre, Nov 9, 2024
Other Notable Engagements: Sydney Opera House, Tivoli Concert Hall, Theatre at Madison Square Garden, Kennedy Center, 5th Avenue Theatre, TUTS Houston, Walnut Street Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse
Press
An Elf on a Quest: A Review of 'Elf' in Millburn — The New York Times
Original Broadway Cast Album Liner Notes, written by Sheldon Harnick
☆☆☆☆ Evening Standard
☆☆☆☆ Time Out New York
☆☆☆☆ The Times
☆☆☆☆ The Independent
☆☆☆☆ The Daily Mail
☆☆☆☆ Time Out London
“‘Elf’, the holiday tale of Buddy, a man-child raised by Santa’s helpers in the North Pole who leaves for New York City to find his dad, is a gift that keeps on giving. Originally a 2003 movie starring Will Ferrell, its goofy sweetness and refrain of spreading Christmas cheer by “singing loud for all to hear” seemed ready-made for musical theatre. Sure enough, in 2010, it came to Broadway, where it now appears for the third time. Miraculously, this revival exudes freshness, from Grey Henson’s spirited performance as a wide-eyed Buddy to Liam Steel’s playful choreography, which turns tinsel into jump ropes. The book and score have the crackle and glow of a fire in the hearth. All together, it’s enough to make you believe in the magic of Christmas…” - Dan Stahl, The New Yorker
“A merry treat for the holiday season...A cheerful, melodic score by Matthew Sklar, the composer, and Chad Beguelin, the lyricist, keeps the show rolling along.” – Michael Sommers, The New York Times
“A shot of pure joy that’s fun for the whole family.” – The New York Sun
“The show is a bona fide treat.” – Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post
“Really Elfin’ Good!” — Time Out New York
“It plays like a faithful but fresh revival of a golden–age Broadway musical, with its artfully towering sets, large company and lush arrangements of traditionally jazzy songs by Matthew Sklar (music) and Chad Beguelin (lyrics).” — Peter Santilli, Associated Press
“'Elf' is one jolly musical... The songs by composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Beguelin (who also scored 5th Avenue's 'The Wedding Singer') are upbeat and frothy, and there are no (thanks again, Mr. Claus!) overwrought, tonsil–torching ballads. The “Nobody Cares About Santa” number, featuring a chorus line of 'fake' St. Nicks, is especially rousing. So are the jazzy “The Story of Buddy the Elf” and the ultra–silly razamatazzy “Sparklejollytwinklejingley”.” — Misha Berson, Seattle Times
“The happiest theatrical surprise in a couple of holiday seasons, 'Elf' delivers a supersize stocking full of Yuletide cheer and sure–fire entertainment. Best of all, 'Elf' sports a rousing score, with clever and neatly turned lyrics by Chad Beguelin and catchy, upbeat music by Matthew Sklar. It's refreshing to hear a new score that sounds like genuine musical comedy — and some of this team's tunes are joyous enough to hint at the glory days of Jerry Herman or Jule Styne.” — Everett Evans, Houston Chronicle
“'Elf' is about rediscovering the Christmas spirit. But it might just restore your faith in the modern musical, too. It's a crisply paced, high–energy comedy with loads of charm and terrific tunes that stay with you long after the lights have gone up.” — Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
“Even the biggest Cotton–Headed–Ninny–Muggins is bound to leave the theater with a festive glow.” – Thom Geier, Entertainment Weekly
“Hilarious and heart–warming, this 'Elf' delivers.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“The Rockettes have some serious competition this Christmas Season.” — Mark Kennedy, Associated Press
“'Elf' is a charming holiday treat...Matthew Sklar (music) and Chad Beguelin (lyrics) are becoming accustomed to adapting movies into stage musicals. They wrote the pop–rock score of 'The Wedding Singer', an underrated show, and now their treatment of 'Elf' deftly treads a fine line between sentimentality and wit, between kid's stuff and enough cleverness to keep the grown–ups amused. Some of their Christmas songs are truly refreshing alternatives to the usual holiday cheer.” — John Fleming, Tampa Bay Times
“Lively production numbers and tuneful performances make this show a delightful treat. Composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Beguelin have created lots of energetic, show–stopping numbers. 'Elf' is an exuberant Christmas present about the power of family for the whole family to share.” — Barbara M. Bannon, Salt Lake City Tribune
“'Elf' is an altogether greater achievement by this young team, with Sklar providing catchy, charming melodies to Beguelin's droll and witty lyrics. I particularly like Jovie's comic lament “Never Fall in Love (with an Elf),” the rousing second–act curtain raiser “Nobody Cares About Santa Claus,” and “A Christmas Song,” which might stand a chance of becoming a standard Christmas song, if pop artists would record Broadway tunes again.” — David–Edward Hughes, Talkin' Broadway