Transforming movies onto the stage seems like a sure-fire way of guaranteeing the success of a theatrical production. That’s why it seemed the most natural thing to adapt the 2003 film comedy “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell, into a Broadway show in 2010.
The plot of the feel-good film about Buddy, a human who has been raised by elves and goes on a journey to find his original parents, is reprised in the musical. Buddy still notices that he’s taller than the other elves and discovers that he was accidentally picked up as a baby from an orphanage and taken to the North Pole. When he finds out that he’s really a human, he travels to New York City to find his birth father. Of course, searching for home, family, and the spirit of Christmas is a perfect show for the holiday season, which is why “Elf-the Musical” is now being revived at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace.
Leaves Some Things to Be Desired
As such it’s enjoyable, but for “Elf” movie fans the show has some drawbacks. With a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, the stage version differs in many respects from the screen. While the film, which was written by David Berenbaum, was a fast-moving, 90-minute delight, the stage musical balloons to a long two-and-half hours.Furthermore, while the movie featured Papa Elf narrating the story, now Santa Claus tells the tale; and instead of a hand-written list of naughty-and-nice names, he turns modern to use an iPhone. In addition, due to limitations of a live presentation, some great images from the film are not available.
The set design can’t compete with the film’s camera shots of the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Plaza, and other iconic locales. Instead, the scenic design, by Kristen Martino, consists primarily of large screens at the back of the stage in which cartoonish images by Anthony Churchill are projected. Of course, those projections can’t compete with New York City’s skyline, so the movie’s spectacular views are missing.
Moreover, in the film, Elf’s father, Walter, is portrayed as a greedy executive so involved in his work that he ignores his family. In the stage presentation, he is just forgetful, overwhelmed with work, and clumsy. And although he’s not a very nice guy in the movie, which is why he’s on the naughty list, in the show he’s naughty because he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.
While those are minor glitches, “Elf-the Musical” has a bigger problem. Directed and choreographed by Lynne Kurdziel Formato, the musical isn’t as funny as the movie. A lot of the film’s comic moments came from the idea that Buddy, who was raised in a special environment, doesn’t fit in with the big-city world of New York. That he’s totally out of his element makes for some laughable moments in the movie when he chews gum he finds stuck on trains in the New York subway, pours syrup on spaghetti, and does other weird things—most of which are lacking in the stage presentation.
Well-Chosen Cast
What does work in the show, however, are some wonderful performances by a hard-working ensemble.Ben Dow, who plays Buddy, is a softer, gentler version of the Will Ferrell character in the film. With a wide-eyed innocence and a look of wonder on his face, Dow makes for a very appealing hero. And Lydia Burke, who plays Jovie, Buddy’s love interest (and who deserves a bigger role in the show) is a standout when she sings “Never Fall in Love (with a Elf).”
Additional fine contributions include Sean Fortunato (always a charismatic actor) doing a fine transition from the workaholic Walter to a kinder father for Buddy; and Lorenzo Parnell is engaging as the manager of Macy’s Department store. The comedic highlight of the show and the funniest character, though, is that of A.D. Weaver, who is a hoot as Santa Claus.
Although “Elf-the Musical” isn’t as hilarious or quite as much fun as the movie, this stage adaption does offer an entertaining, family-friendly romp which will put one in a life-affirming joyful spirit and have one leaving the theater in a very uplifted mood.
