Review Roundup: The Ogunquit Playhouse Production Of ELF THE MUSICAL

Elf The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy's enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf.

Elf the Musical will be at the Historical Theater from Wed., Nov. 28 - Sun., Dec, 16. See the website for the full schedule. Don't be a cotton-headed ninnymuggins, get your tickets early.

For tickets go to TheMusicHall.org, call 603-436-2400 or visit the B2W Box Office at The Music Hall's Historic Theater, located at 28 Chestnut Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Let's see what the critics have to say!

Jeanne McCartin, Fosters: Diana Huey, of the "powerhouse voice," is perfect as Jovie. She's as convincing as the hard and weary New York transplant as she is as the girl who finds wonder. Overall, this is a standup cast. The family members each ooze the right personally, Annie Edgerton as mom Emily, Calvin Middleton as brother Michael, and Christopher Russo as dad Walter, who to a person sport strong voices.

Julia Ann Weekes, Union Leader: Jen Cody is a laugh-getter as Deb, Walter Hobb's secretary who runs the office with an effortlessly upbeat efficiency. Cody also has starred in numerous Broadway productions, done voice work for animated movies and performed on television in CBS' "Instinct," "Bull," "Unforgetable" and "Blue Bloods."

April Boyle, Press Herald: Lothair Eaton is pure fun as the Macy's store manager, offering a bigger-than-life performance. He's also featured with Eric Jon Mahlum as two of the fake Santa Clauses in the exceptional "Nobody Cares About Santa." The jazzy, blues number allows Booth to highlight his vocal versatility, backed by an ensemble of fake Santas doing a hustle that is a delightful nod to classic theater.

Dan Marois, BroadwayWorld: Technically, the show is a great achievement. The scenery (designed by Jason Sherwood) maximizes the confines of the Music Hall with simplistic transitions from the North Pole location to Macy's department story and on to a corporate office and then the vastness of New York City. It is all centered around a snow globe theme that blends nicely into an eye-catching experience. Some projections on a large screen added to the evening. (There's even the Rockefeller Center ice rink appearing at center stage.)

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