THE HAPPY ELF Opens This Friday at Theatre In The Park Indoors

A special holiday musical gift has arrived at Theatre in the Park's (TTIP) INDOOR with the delightful tale of THE HAPPY ELF. This festive musical, composed by Grammy Winner and American Idol judge Harry Connick, opens Dec. 8 and continues through Dec. 24 at the new Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center (AHC) in Overland Park. TTIP INDOOR productions are held in the Black Box Theatre at the AHC at 7:30 p.m.; matinee performances are at 2 p.m. THE HAPPY ELF is rated G and is appropriate for the entire family.

Connick's THE HAPPY ELF tells the tale of Eubie the Elf, a loveable guy wanting to spread Christmas cheer throughout the town of Bluesville. Eubie wants to be a part of Santa's coveted sled team; instead, the spirited elf is stuck checking the "naughty-and-nice" lists. On one Christmas, Eubie discovers that not one person in Bluesville has been nice. Eubie takes off for Bluesville to change things but can he do it?

With this festive musical, Connick introduces a new generation to the joys of Jazz. Its messages of overcoming adversity, believing in yourself and the importance of friendship are sure to resonate during the holiday season.

THE HAPPY ELF is directed by Guy Gardner and features an all-local cast chosen during auditions this fall.

"We are excited to bring THE HAPPY ELF back to the Kansas City area, and to Johnson County as a new family holiday tradition," said Gardner, referring to the world premiere at the renowned Coterie Theatre in 2007.

With such a functional space in the Arts and Heritage Center, THE HAPPY ELF is being produced using a runway style stage.

"THE HAPPY ELF is the perfect holiday show for all families. This story is filled with joy, laughter, and is brought all together by some AMAZING new music for your family to enjoy. Harry Connick Jr.'s classic Jazz style is stamped all over this production and you'll find yourself tapping your toes in the audience," Gardner said.

Tickets are now on sale for THE HAPPY ELF and may be purchased online at www.theatreinthepark.org or at the theatre box office the nights/afternoons of performance.

Following THE HAPPY ELF, the fun-loving musical LEGALLY BLONDE JR will take the stage for three performances on Dec. 29-30. As TTIP's Academy winter production, LEGALLY BLONDE JR features 24 local students in grades seven through 12th who auditioned this fall. The cast will rehearse during students' winter break for this production.

TTIP's Academy was created this summer to give young performers the opportunity to participate in a rehearsal process focusing less on instruction, and more on performance. LEGALLY BLONDE JR is based on the hit movie starring Reece Witherspoon and the Amanda Brown novel. LEGALLY BLONDE JR features high-energy song and dance numbers, complete with the "bend and snap" move made famous.

TTIP Academy will continue it's summer tradition of educational and instructional programs, with the winter session focused more toward performance.

TTIP will ring in the new year in a grand way with its first ever STARS GALA: A NIGHT ON BROADWAY on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31. The star-studded evening will take place at the AHC with an all-inclusive Broadway themed evening including hors d'oeuvres at multiple stations, open bar, entertainment, dancing, a silent auction and a champagne toast around midnight. Proceeds from the gala will support TTIP's programs and production. More information on the gala is available at www.theatreinthepark.org/stars-gala.

TTIP is the largest outdoor community theater in the country, and has been providing quality theatre entertainment in the community for more than four decades. TTIP now produces entertainment in two locations: during the summer outdoors at Shawnee Mission Park, at 7710 Renner Road, and indoors at AHC, 8788 Metcalf, in Overland Park. TTIP is a program of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District.

For more information about 2017-2018 TTIP productions, please visit http://www.theatreinthepark.org.

THE HAPPY ELF cast list

(Role, Performer and city of residence)

Eubie: Colin Rohach; Leawood
Molly: Bridget Walsh; Shawnee
Hamm: John Alden; Olathe
Gilda: Emily Vargo; Gardner
Norbert: Fritz Sullivan; Leawood
Santa: Mike Brown; Kansas City, MO
Mrs. Claus: Carrigan Rohach; Leawood
Mayor: Clay Cartwright; Olathe
Gurt: Alyson Golladay; Kansas City, MO
Curtis: Caden Moffitt; Overland Park
Little Norbert: Dominic Adams; Olathe;

Elves, Citizens of Bluesville:

Sophia Adams; Olathe

Amber Bracken; Kansas City, MO

Jonah Cartwright; Olathe; Leawood

Angela Engel; Leawood

Annalise Gray; Olathe

Veronica Wilson; Olathe

Brooklyn Werth; Overland Park

To post a comment, you must register and login.