ELf Opens Today at Surflight Theatre

Surflight Theatre will be opening their ever popular Holiday production for 2018, ELF the Musical, based on a motion picture of the same name, with a score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin on December 5th. The book is adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan from the 2003 film. This will be the second musical by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin that Surflight has produced this season having had The Wedding Singer in their 2018 summer lineup.

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his 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 and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.This modern day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

Directed and Choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan with Musical Direction by Nicholas Kaminski., Costume Design Keith Lambert, Sound Design Ian Wehrle and Set by P&G Designs. The Cast will star Kole McKinley as Buddy the Elf, John E. Brady as Walter Hobbs, Marci Reid as Emily Hobbs, Jenny Stodd as Jovie, Adrianne Hick as Deb, Andrew Foote as Mr Greenway and Andre' Dion Wills as the Store Manager. Dale Given will be playing the big man Santa and local teen Mitchell Critelli as Michael Hobbs.

The Adult Ensemble includes: Brianna Bennett, Aly Landon, Ashley Nicole Martin, Sierra Stacy, Emily Song Tyler, Essence Williams, Kerry Lambert, Patrick MacLennon, Anthony de Marte, Taylor Hilt Mitchell, Sammy Olmeda and Devon Perry.

The Children's Ensemble features local youth performers Annie Shea Caravella, Molly Faletta, Eliana Gamble, Ava Hugg, Alexa Hunt and Lexie Schoenberg. The youth ensemble are all students of Surflight's Education partner Starlight Performing Arts in Manahawkin.

Surflight is thrilled that so many performers from earlier this season are in this cast. Andrew Foote and Adrianne Hick were featured especially this season in the beautiful Bright Star as well as Nice Work if You Can Get It along with Marci Reid as the Duchess in Nice Work. Andre' Dion Wells was the gripping Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar. Dale Given and Jenny Stodd were both last seen in Bright Star. Newcomer to the Surflight family is John E. Brady whose illustrious career includes roles on Broadway in long running musicals The Lion King and Newsies.

To purchase tickets; go to www.surflight.org, or call (609)492-9477.

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