Stagecrafters Youth Theatre to Present ELF THE MUSICAL, JR. This December

Stagecrafters Youth Theatre presents Elf the Musical, Jr. on the Main Stage, December 8 through December 17, at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette Avenue in downtown Royal Oak.

Based on the popular holiday film Elf, Stagecrafters' show is performed by youth ages 8 to 18, in a funny and heart-warming musical that will appeal to all ages.

Good-natured Buddy the Elf (Spencer Clark of Southgate) lives at the North Pole with Santa (Eli Hurwitz of Huntington Woods) and his elves. He's filled with holiday joy year round, though he's not a very good toymaker. When Santa tells Buddy he's not really an elf, he sets off to New York City to find his father-who's on the "naughty" list. Along the way, Buddy makes friends, and with his childlike sense of fun, reminds everyone about the most important things in life. Elf the Musical, Jr. is a holiday treat for everyone, with songs and laughs sure to spread cheer.

Stagecrafters' executive director, Suzanne Wiggins, says that Stagecrafters Youth Theatre (SYT) productions draw young and old patrons alike. "It's great for friends and families who want to celebrate the holidays by doing something together that's fun and won't break the bank. There's so much to do in Royal Oak, that many of our guests make a day of it-they go out to eat or go shopping and then see the show." Wiggins says patrons will also love the theatre's festive decorations, which include a Christmas tree professionally decorated with a special theme that fits the show, compliments of Affordable Flowers of Birmingham, and crafts made by the cast and crew that are hung throughout the lobby. "A lot of hard work goes into the production, but the kids love it," says Wiggins.

Barbara Keteyian, the show's producer and SYT committee chair, says youth theatre provides a hands-on learning experience that does more than teach theatre skills. "While children come to SYT with an interest in theatre, and they do develop both acting and backstage skills, they also develop skills that may be even more important in their lives: creativity, teamwork (with all ages, including adults), confidence, empathy, focus, resilience and self-expression. And they develop meaningful and long-term friendships along the way. SYT feels like a second home to many of our members."

One special tradition at youth theatre shows is for cast members to greet audience members in the lobby after the show and sign autographs on the back of the playbill. "Kids in the audience get a big kick out of seeing the characters they just saw onstage up close in 'real' life," Wiggins laughs. "And of course the cast members love feeling like celebrities."

Tickets to Elf the Musical, Jr. are $8 dollars for youths 17 and under, and $14 for everyone else. Tickets may be purchased online at www.stagecrafters.org (online handling fees apply) or by phone at 248-541-6430 (10 am to 2 pm, M - F), using Visa or MasterCard. All seats are reserved and there are no refunds or exchanges. If shows have not sold out, tickets can be purchased at the box office one hour prior to the performance. Elf the Musical, Jr. is rated G and runs approximately an hour and a half. Vibe Credit Union is the proud sponsor of Elf the Musical Jr.

Stagecrafters, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre, is in its 62nd year of providing opportunities for members of the community to develop their talents and to volunteer their time to create an enriching, quality theatrical experience through its Main Stage, 2nd Stage, and Youth Theatre productions. At the Baldwin Theatre since 1985, Stagecrafters has been named Best Community Theatre by Hour Detroit, Detroit Metro Times, and Daily Tribune. Stagecrafters offers shows that appeal to a wide variety of ages and interests and prides itself on providing professional quality shows at affordable prices, making the performing arts accessible to all.

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Elf The Musical Jr. Cast by Community:

Zachary Otto Ensemble Berkley

Grace Comstock Ensemble Berkley

Ella Francis Ensemble Berkley

Sydney Studer Ensemble Berkley

Hope Carmona Ensemble Birmingham

Christian Whan Ensemble Birmingham

Grace Whan Ensemble Birmingham

Alexis Pintar Ensemble Bloomfield Hills

Ella Harris Jovie Bloomfield Hills

Elena Ochoa Emily Hobbs Clawson

Sean Brown Ensemble Clinton Township

Dayna Cheatham Ensemble Detroit

Jacqueline Brown Ensemble Farmington Hills

Olivia Brown Ensemble Farmington Hills

Liam Ferris Ensemble Hazel Park

Eli Hurwitz Santa Claus Huntington Woods

Noah Trapp Ensemble Livonia

Lenna Landis Ensemble Madison Heights

Lucy McClelland Ensemble Madison Heights

Reese McClelland Ensemble Madison Heights

Damian Barkas Ensemble Novi

Caden Filthaut Ensemble Oak Park

Stella Krzysiak Ensemble Pleasant Ridge

Naomi Alba Ensemble Pleasant Ridge

Shea O'Brien Ensemble Pleasant Ridge

Adrienne Dewey Ensemble Royal Oak

Jane Meinecke Ensemble Royal Oak

Rocco Morrow Michael Royal Oak

Emily Robinson Ensemble Royal Oak

Samantha Jolivet Ensemble Rochester Hills

Julian Saunders Walter Hobbs Southfield

Spencer Clark Buddy Southgate

Lily Doctor Ensemble Sterling Heights

Mandy Marsili Ensemble Troy

Madison Strachan Ensemble Troy

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Pictured: Walter Hobbs (Julian Saunders of Southfield), Buddy (Spencer Clark of Southgate), Jovie (Ella Harris of Bloomfield Hills) and Ensemble Elf (Jane Meinecke of Royal Oak). Photo by Lance Luce.

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