BWW Interviews: Paul C. Vogt Is Coming to Town as 'Santa' in Paper Mill's ELF!

Broadway actor Paul C. Vogt steps into the fur-lined boots of Santa Claus in Paper Mill Playhouse's production of ELF, beginning November 26th, 2014 through January 4, 2015.

With a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, the production marks the New Jersey premiere of the hilarious and joyous tale of Buddy, an orphan who is mistakenly transported to the North Pole and raised by Santa's elves. Now, as a grownup, he embarks on a journey to discover his true identity. Based on the 2003 film that starred Will Farrell, Elf was a smash hit on Broadway.

Today, Paul C. Vogt chats exclusively with BroadwayWorld about taking on this iconic role and reveals what he hopes Santa will leave under the tree for him this year!

You made your Broadway debut in Hairspray as Edna Turnblad. What were some of the biggest challenges in portraying a woman?

The weight of it all...meaning, even though I am a big guy with my own natural curves, I had to wear a padded suit under the dresses that gave me a more womanly shape. Nice hips, full breasts and a butt you could set a tray on. The whole thing added quite a few extra pounds to lug around, and in the finale... that amazing dress added another, I think, 20 to 30 pounds. It was a gorgeous red beaded gown, but you had to dance and move and sing while making it all look light and effortless and feminine. Can't walk around like a truck driver when you are a lady who has become a fashion queen. To be honest, the challenges are really the same as playing any character. You just need to find the truth of who they are and go from there.

You've done both stage work and TV and Film. Do you have a preference?

I actually love doing both. This is a hard question, because it sometimes depends on the project. With stage work, you get that immediate response, which is exhilarating. You know right away if a choice you are making is working or not. In TV and Film, you can explore different aspects of your work. Since it can be very close and intimate, you as an actor can make choices that may not necessarily work on stage. As a comedic actor/improvisor I do love a live audience. There is nothing like having those one-of-a-kind "that may never happen again" experiences. Like when my dress got caught in the can during the finale of HAIRSPRAY. I tugged and tugged at it...and I may have even improvised a few lines of my song acknowledging it. #itmaybeonyoutube

Were you familiar with the film and stage version of ELF prior to your casting?

No. I never saw it. I just told you, I was stuck in a can. OF COURSE I SAW IT... who didn't??? I love the movie and got to see the musical when it was first on Broadway.

The film version, starring Will Ferrell was not originally predicted to become a hit. What do you think it is about this story that has made it a beloved holiday classic?

It's a great story told a little off center. It's funny and sweet. In my opinion I think it speaks to a large audience. Buddy the Elf's energy and commitment to what he believes and loves is so infectious...but the comedy is not done in a sappy, sticky way. It has edge to it. It's smart - and I think people like smart edgy comedy. It's been a long time since we had a holiday story that did that.

The Santa in ELF is unusual in that he is jolly yet also a bit of a curmudgeon. How do you go about approaching that character's duality?

He is a dude. Santa is the dude. He is a guy that likes to relax, eat marshmallows, drink cocoa and watch a football game. His job just happens to be Santa. He makes the world happy each year by bringing them gifts and joy - that's his job - and when he is off the clock, he is a guy with a wife and a whole bunch of elves to take care of.

With so many kids in the audience, do you feel a certain responsibility in taking on the iconic role of Santa Claus?

Oh heck yes!! I have a friend...not a child...who is telling everyone that she is a personal friend to Santa this year. She does it in front of me, as if I am not the Santa that she is referring to! If this is how an adult responds to me playing Santa, I of course have to acknowledge the responsibility of what the kids will feel- happy to do it, too.

Buddy the Elf suffers from a bit of an identity crisis throughout the story. Do you think Santa serves as a father figure to him? How to you go about portraying that special relationship on stage?

Yes, in this version of the story Santa is definitely the father figure to Buddy. He pretty much raised him. (In the movie, he has an Elf-Dad that was played by Bob Newhart.) The way the story is told here though, you get to experience the special bond that Santa and Buddy have. Santa helps Buddy figure out who he is and guides him on his journey. We have a few nice moments that show Santa's concern and love for Buddy: like when Buddy sits on Santa's lap to hear the story of how he came to be at the North Pole. It's difficult for Santa to tell Buddy the truth, but who doesn't want to sit on Santa's lap to hear a story?!

What do you think is the biggest lesson to be learned from the story of ELF?

Follow your passion and believe in yourself... and you'll help yourself and others, too.

Can you talk about your experience working with this talented cast?

So far, most are on the "Nice List." There are a couple of Naughty Listers... but they have time to get over to the other side.

What's ahead in your exciting busy career?

Oddly enough, I am writing a children's book about Christmas - which will hopefully be published this time next year!

Finally, what present are you hoping Santa will leave under your tree this year?

Cash. Feety pajamas. A NutriBullet. Chocolate. Cash. Oh yes, peace on earth... and a hat. Merry Holidays!

ELF will premiere at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse on November 26th. For tickets and additional information, click here!

About Paul C. Vogt:

Vogt recently appeared on Broadway as Amos in CHICAGO. He landed Hollywood recognition as the breakout star of NBC's "The Rerun Show" (2002) when he portrayed Mrs. Garrett from "The Facts of Life." Soon after, he had become a permanent cast member on "MADtv" (FOX's successful late-night sketch comedy show) and filmed two movies with Garry Marshall: Raising Helen (hysterical deleted scene now on DVD) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and Valentine's Day.

The actor was "discovered" (with his identical twin) in Florida and was cast in Barry Sonnenfeld's quirky ABC series "Maximum Bob" starring Beau Bridges.

After moving to Burbank, Garry Marshall cast Paul as Jimbo Milachi in "Happy Days: the musical" at the Falcon Theatre. He proved that he could command a stage with his comic timing and acting ability, and soon he was being cast from his performance as a mean Milachi Brother in "Happy Days" to film and television roles.

Garry Marshall has cast Vogt in several productions on stage (including an opera debut at LA Opera) and in several of his films.

Vogt hosted the 2003 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (2003) with the cast of "MADtv" and taped a commentary for a special on E! Entertainment Television about Celebrity Siblings. He starred in a Disney Channel pilot "Pack of Wolves" as a villain with a lizard. Appeared on "Glee" as a Stage Director. "Grey's Anatomy" as an opera singer. "Hannah Montana" as a loud, obnoxious neighbor. And "Reno 911!" as a crazed paintball sniper.

As for Family Features, Paul appeared as "Bob the Dogcatcher" in Good Boy!(MGM/Henson Productions) and his voice can be heard as several characters in Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch from Walt Disney Animation, the feature film Igor (as a man-headed fly), and in Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters for Dreamworks.

He made his Broadway Debut in "Hairspray!" the musical as Edna Turnblad on January 30, 2007 with Jere Burns, and since then, he's played Tracy's Mom all over the country, even replacing the incomparable Harvey Fierstein at the Luxor in Las Vegas.

His stage work continues in shows like: the world premiere musical "Minsky's" in LA, the world premiere musical "Idaho!" in NY, the only man to ever be approved to play the beloved villain Ursula in "Disney's The Little Mermaid" at the Muny and was in a pre-Broadway production of "Disney's Aladdin." He played Oliver Hardy in the West Coast Premiere of the play "Laurel and Hardy" and has appeared several times in LA with the Troubadour Theater Company.

He continues his improv and sketch comedy as a frequent guest at LA's most famous comedy troupe "The Groundlings."

To post a comment, you must register and login.