Elf Jr.
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Elf The Musical JR.
Book by Thomas Meehan Bob Martin | Music by Matthew Sklar | Lyrics by Chad Beguelin | Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum.
The story begins at the North Pole as Santa Claus and his Elves sing a Christmas Carol in his shop ("Happy All the Time"). Their song is interrupted by the arrival of Buddy the Elf, who, despite an abundance of enthusiasm, falls short in his toy-making abilities. Charlie, the boss, expresses disappointment, but the elves quickly chime in to make Buddy feel better. Charlie tells Buddy to take a break and asks Shawanda to pick up the extra slack. Unaware that Buddy is listening, they reveal that Buddy is, in fact, a human and not an elf. Buddy approaches Santa for confirmation and Santa reveals that Buddy, as an orphaned baby, had crawled into his toy sack and was accidentally taken back to the North Pole, where he was raised by the Elves. Handing Buddy a New York City snow globe, Santa explains that Buddy's father works in the Empire State Building, doesn't know about Buddy's existence and is on the "Naughty List" for his lack of Christmas spirit. Buddy sets off from the North Pole to New York City ("World's Greatest Dad").
Upon arriving in Manhattan, Buddy is surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city: a Business Woman yells for a taxi, a Jogger in a red suit, two Flyer Guys, and lots of New Yorkers rush by. Asking a passing Teenager where to find the Empire State Building, Buddy sets off to meet his father. Meanwhile, Walter Hobbs and Sam are discussing the unfortunate situation with their latest title, "Jingles, The Jolly Christmas Puppy," from which the last two pages are missing. Secretary Deb shows in Walter's wife, Emily, and his twelve-year-old son, Michael, who want to go Christmas shopping. Suddenly, Buddy bursts in, excited to meet his father for the first time. Stunned with Buddy's declaration that he is Walter's son, Walter demands that the Security Guards escort Buddy out, dropping him at Macy's Christmas department.
At Macy's, a Saleswoman greets Buddy, and the Manager mistakes Buddy for a corporate employee who has been sent to check on the store. Buddy falls in love at first sight with Macy's elf, Jovie, and inspires other Macy's Employees to decorate with some Christmas Spirit ("Sparklejollytwinklejingley"). Jovie agrees to go on a date with Buddy just as Santa's Helper announces the arrival of Fake Santa. Children and Parents line up, but just as a Mother leads her Child to see Santa, Buddy announces to everyone that it is not the real Santa. The two fight, and Buddy is escorted away by Policemen, who take him to the Hobbs' apartment, where Michael is trying to build a science project. Buddy agrees to help if Michael and Emily will write letters to Santa Claus ("I'll Believe in You"). When Walter arrives home, Emily reveals that Buddy is, in fact, Walter's son, as the results of a DNA test have proven.
The next day, Walter takes Buddy with him to work. Office Staff, including Sarah, are bustling around as Mr. Greenway demands a Christmas book to replace "Jingles, The Jolly Christmas Puppy." Deb entertains Buddy, telling him the shredder makes snow. Later, Buddy takes Jovie to a souvlaki stand for their dinner date, where she confesses she's always wanted to see snow. Buddy promises to take her to Christmas Eve dinner at Tavern on the Green ("A Christmas Song"). Back at the office, Walter and Chadwick desperately try to come up with ideas for a new children's Christmas story. Matthews claims to have found a lost manuscript that could save their jobs. Buddy bursts in to tell Walter he's in love and, while Walter talks with colleagues, Buddy decides to make "snow" by putting the manuscript through the shredder. The manuscript destroyed, Walter explodes with anger and tells Buddy to get out of his life ("World's Greatest Dad – Reprise"). A group of Carolers passes as Buddy leaves a goodbye note for Hobbs.
Buddy realizes he forgot all about Jovie. She's been waiting for hours at Tavern on the Green ("Never Fall In Love – With an Elf"). He arrives and apologizes, giving her the snow globe Santa gave him when he left the North Pole. Still upset, Jovie leaves.
Meanwhile, Michael and Emily see Santa out the window while reading Buddy's note ("There Is a Santa Claus"). They go to Walter's office to tell him, but he's preoccupied with trying to think up a story for Mr. Greenway. Suddenly, Buddy returns and suggests his own story ("The Story of Buddy"). Mr. Greenway loves the idea, but is rude to Michael and Buddy, demanding Walter work on Christmas Day. In response, Walter quits his job in order to finally spend time with his family.
When Michael tells Buddy about seeing Santa, everyone rushes to Central Park to help Santa gather the Christmas spirit he needs to make his now-broken sleigh fly. A large crowd gathers around Santa's broken sleigh, including New York One reporter, Charlotte Dennon. To prove to the crowd that it's actually Santa Claus, Buddy reveals what Darlene Lambert and Emma Van Brocklin received as gifts on past Christmases. Buddy urges everyone to get into the Christmas spirit, and Jovie arrives to help him ("A Christmas Song – Reprise"). The New Yorkers sing, and Santa's sleigh rises into the air, Christmas spirit restored and everyone gets what they want for Christmas!
Presenting Sponsor: THE MINOTTY FAMILY FOUNDATION
Come early to browse Riverside Theatre’s Holiday Shoppe.
Proceeds Benefit Youth Education Programs & Tuition Assistance.
Per CDC guidelines: Masks are recommended for the unvaccinated inside, but not required.
Rehearsal Photos
Production Photos
Cast
Addison Blum will be performing in her second musical with Riverside, her previous one being Beauty and the Beast JR. She loves the holidays and is very excited for Elf JR. She is a big Disney fan and particularly loves the soundtrack and fashion from the reimagined story, Cruella. In her spare time, you'll find her playing tennis and watching Marvel and Star Wars on Disney+. She doesn’t know where life will take her, but hopes that music will continue to be a part of her future!!
Lauren Chesley considers one of the most important aspects of her life to be music. Performing has allowed her to share that love with others and has brought her out of her shell quite a bit. Deciding to audition for her first Riverside Theatre show was a decision she will always be thrilled with!
Timothy Cicco Charlie Brown Christmas and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are his favorite shows he’s performed in at Riverside Theatre.
Jackson Colontrelle enjoys choir, science, history, geography, and sports like volleyball and cross-country. Most recently, he appeared in Puffs at Riverside and is looking forward to performing in The Little Mermaid at his school this spring.
Gabriel Conley loves acting and in the past has played the role of “Forky” from Toy Story 4 while attending summer camp at Riverside Theatre. He is aspiring to be an actor or a police officer when he grows up. He has a strong interest in Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Peter Pan. He’d like to give a special thanks to his mom and dad, aunts and uncles, and his grandparents for inspiring him to be the best that he can be!
Isabella Curulla performed in her first musical in 6th grade and acting has been her passion ever since. Some of her favorite roles at Riverside Theatre include Amanda Thripp, Young Elsa, and Lucille. She has also acted in The Nutty Nutcracker, The Little Mermaid, and Annie (LCT) as well as many other shows. Isabella hopes to one day to become a successful actress both in movies and on Broadway. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support.
Josslyn Haddad is from Colorado, but enjoys this new beach life! In The Heights was by far the highlight of her summer! It may be hard to believe, but good things come in small packages! In the future, she would like to attend school to become a business entrepreneur.
Lilia Hayes has over the last few years enjoyed the opportunity to perform for others through participation in Team Gymnastics and Cheerleading. Musicals such as The Greatest Showman and Frozen have inspired her to become involved in the performing arts. She is so grateful for the opportunity to join Riverside Theatre!
Sebastian Holbrook is an Atlanta native who loves playing the piano and building legos. He attended Riverside Theatre’s summer intensive and performed in Frozen JR. in June of 2021. This is his first fully staged production.
Katie Hufstetler dedicates her free time to strengthening her vocal and dancing skills and is thankful for her family and friends who have continued supporting her on her dream to one day perform on Broadway. She enjoys hanging out with friends and loves spending time with her siblings. A few previous roles she has played include: Anna in Frozen JR., Momma Bear in Shrek JR., Allana in The Little Mermaid JR., and a Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast JR.
Kira Kimes loves the performing arts and hopes to keep it in her life for many years to come.
Aliyah Kirven is from Maryland. She recently moved to Florida and loves the beach, swimming, gymnastics, and spending time with her siblings. She enjoys music and writing her own songs. When she grows up she wants to be a veterinarian and play with as many animals as possible.
Navah Kirven loves the theater and gets to practice drama at home with her siblings all the time. She loves to make people happy and wants to be everyone’s best friend. She loves to sing, dance, art, and warm hugs (she actually wanted to be Olaf when she was a toddler). When she grows up she wants to work with animals and be a singer.
Elena Kunkle is excited to perform in her 4th show with Riverside Theatre. She loves being on stage and hopes for a future in the arts. She’d like to thank her family for their unending love and support and the amazing Riverside Theatre staff for their encouragement.
Patrick Manning has always been the performer putting on shows for his family in the living room. In 2021, he had the privilege to perform in his first musical ever at Riverside Theater and hopes to continue with the arts in future plays.
Sasha Martell is so thankful for all the memories Riverside Theartre has given her and all of the friends she made along the way. She is so excited to Deck the halls with Elf JR. and perform once again. She would like to give a special thanks to the cast and crew as well as the awesome director. She would also like to give a special thanks to her mom and papa.
Rylan McLaughlin enjoys jiu jitsu, music, drawing, boxing, and piano. This is his first play at Riverside Theater and he couldn’t be more excited about being a part of it.
Brieyana Miranda is so excited to be participating in Elf JR.! She performed in her first Riverside Theatre show when she was seven and has been here ever since. Some of her favorite roles include: Mrs. Gloop, Willy Wonka Kids; Mrs. Hannigan, Annie KIDS; Silly Girl, Beauty and The Beast JR. When she is not in rehearsal, she enjoys taking classes in jazz and tap. She would like to give a huge thanks to her parents, sisters, Miss Chloe, Miss Mia, Nana, Kevin, Debbie, and everyone who made this show possible! She gives all the credit to God for giving her the ability and love for performing.
Carlee Miranda loves singing, dancing and performing, and also playing with her dogs and reading. She is excited to be in this show and would like to thank God and her family for their support and love.
Angel Owen has been in previous Riverside Theatre shows including: The Lion King KIDS (Zazu), Shrek JR. (Pig 3), and Thoroughly Modern Millie JR. (ensemble). She aspires to be a film actor and believes that Riverside Theatre is a perfect start. She would like to thank her mom, grandma, and Bella for all of their love and support, and Riverside Theatre for all of the wonderful opportunities.
Adam Raynard would like to thank the academy and Joe.
Brayden Rojas likes the show Gotham and hopes to become an actor or ‘YouTuber’. His favorite role was in The Lion King KIDS. People that inspire him include: Cory Michael Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, and Will Smith. The last play he was in at Riverside Theatre was Annie KIDS.
Hannah Royals loves the arts. She loved seeing Aladdin on Broadway in NYC as well as several shows she has seen at Riverside Theatre. She has been in the homeschool casts for The Lion King KIDS and Annie KIDS at Riverside Theater. She wants to be a singing cosmetologist and mom when she grows up.
Kaitlin Simmons is going on to her sixth year at Riverside Theatre making this her 15th show! She simply adores the Riverside community and the arts, and cannot wait to continue performing alongside her friends. She’d like to thank the theatre and the staff for providing her with such wonderful opportunities!
Keira Taylor loves art, singing, dancing, and tennis. She hopes to have a future in theater on Broadway. She like to send a special thanks to her family for all the love and support in all her adventures.
Jenna Wickre loves The Sound of Music! She also really likes ballet and acting. One of her favorite shows at Riverside Theatre was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She’d like to thank her grandma & parents and her 4 cats for their love and encouragement.
Sabrina Zambrano loves to sing and act. She has been studying vocal and musical theatre since she was young. She sang the National anthem at the Mets stadium for a Major League Baseball team. She auditioned and was selected to perform for the Youth Arts celebration at the Stuart Lyric Theater. She was selected to play the main character Mulan. She was rated Superior for the National Federation of music three years in a row and where she received her first trophy from the federation. She did choir and theater at the NewHope church for 3 years. She is also bilingual.
Creative Team
Director: Kevin Quillinan
Music Director: Deborah Quillinan
Choreography: Katherine Eppink
Dance Captain: Kaitlin Simmons
Scenic Designer: Emily Luongo
Costume Designer: Anna Hillbery
Lighting Designer: William Gibbons- Brown
Sound Designer: Ryan Gravett
Stage Manager: Amy Bowman