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Elf The Musical 2012

Ages: 4+
Opened: November 18, 2012
Closing: January 06, 2013

Elf The Musical - 2012 Broadway History , Info & More

ELF 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. Buddy 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 reality that his father is on the naughty list and his step-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 Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.






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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Elf The Musical

REVIEW: ‘Elf’ merrily skates back to Broadway
7 / 10

New to the role of a disillusioned Macy’s employee who brightens up in Buddy’s presence, Leslie Kritzer delivers the funny “Never Fall in Love (With an Elf”) with wry pizzazz. Other high points in the musical include “Nobody Cares About Santa,” a jazzy, foot-stomping lament for Buddy and crew of disgruntled out of work department store Saint Nicks; “There is a Santa Claus,” a joyous realization of the holiday spirit exuberantly voiced by Leavel with youngster Mitchell Sink; and “The Story of Buddy the Elf,” a punchy number with a catchy chorus that, as performed by most of the company, nearly brings down the house. Rolling along agreeably for its earlier stretches, the musical really takes off in the second act.

Santa’s Helper Seeks His Dad in Manhattan
7 / 10

And yes, for those keeping track, that makes two holiday-in-a-Chinese-restaurant scenes currently on Broadway, because a block over and a block up from “Elf” a musical version of the Jean Shepherd gem “A Christmas Story” is playing. “A Christmas Story” also has a live dog (two, actually), just like “Annie,” another Broadway show with a Christmas theme. There’s a message in those duplications perhaps. Holiday cheer is swell, but theatrically, at least, maybe it’s starting to be spread a bit thin?

Photo Coverage: ELF Contest Winner Melissa Marengo Preps for Broadway Debut!
by Jennifer Broski - January 4, 2013


Before the holidays, Broadway's ELF THE MUSICAL made one lucky winner's holiday wish come true with a walk-on role in the musical. Last night, the contest winner, Melissa Marengo, joined Buddy the Elf and the rest of the cast, including two-time Tony winner Beth Leavel and Wayne Knight of Seinfeld, on stage during the Macy's Santa Scene. Check out photos of Melissa prepping for her Broadway debut below!

STAGE TUBE: ELF's Jason Testa Tips Hat to CHAPLIN
by Stage Tube - December 23, 2012


Broadway's Elf The Musical and Chaplin share an upcoming closing date-January 6, 2013-and Elf's Jason Eric Testa made a special little video to commiserate. Click below to watch!

STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes with ELF's Matt Kopec and More at the Ordway
by Stage Tube - December 20, 2012


The Broadway musical ELF is currently playing Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul for a three-week run. The city's WCCO-TV got a behind-the-scenes look at the production and spoke with the lead actors, including Matt Kopec, who plays Buddy. Click below to watch!

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Mark Jacoby
by BWW - December 21, 2012


In this week's edition, we caught up with Mark Jacoby, who is starring as 'Walter' in ELF- currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Enter the ELF Pinterest Sweepstakes & Win Tickets to the Show!
by BWW News Desk - December 18, 2012


Enter the ELF THE MUSICAL Pinterest Sweepstakes for a chance to win two tickets to the show and the Broadway Cast Recording!

Now Playing: ELF"THE MUSICAL Ushers in the Holiday Season at the ORDWAY
by Kristin Frosch - December 8, 2012


With the holiday season right around the corner, its always fun to gather the family and revisit those classically timeless productions. While its not Miracle of 34th Street or A Christmas Carol, ELF certainly provides families with a little bombastic humor to help get through the stress that always seems to accompany the holidays. The latest production to delight St. Paul audiences is ELF, the musical adaptation of the popular Will Ferrell film, which opened last night, Dec. 7 at The ORDWAY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS.

STAGE TUBE: Backstage with Michael Strahan at Broadway Debut in ELF
by Stage Tube - December 6, 2012


'Extra's' AJ Calloway was backstage with Michael Strahan for his Broadway debut in ELF. Michael has two roles in the show - he plays a cop and a bell-ringing Santa. Despite playing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans during his football career, Strahan told AJ that he had some pre-performance jitters before going out in front of the 1,200 person audience. Watch the interview below!

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Mitchell Sink
by BWW - December 7, 2012


In this week's edition, we caught up with Mitchell Sink, who is starring as 'Michael' in ELF- currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Michael Strahan Makes Appearance in ELF Today
by BWW News Desk - December 5, 2012


On today's "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," the show kicked off "LIVE's" "Holidays in New York Week," which features a full slate of segments showcasing the best that the Big Apple has to offer during the holiday season. Hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan announced today that a highlight of the week will be co-host Michael Strahan making his Broadway debut in the Christmas-themed favorite "ELF."

Michael Strahan to Make Appearance in ELF, 12/5
by Nicole Rosky - December 3, 2012


On today's "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," the show kicked off "LIVE's" "Holidays in New York Week," which features a full slate of segments showcasing the best that the Big Apple has to offer during the holiday season. Hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan announced today that a highlight of the week will be co-host Michael Strahan making his Broadway debut in the Christmas-themed favorite "ELF."

Photo Coverage: Magnolia Bakery Reveals ELF Cupcake!
by Jennifer Broski - December 3, 2012


ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances began on Friday, November 9, 2012. The production plays a limited engagement of 9 weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. Magnolia Bakery just created an ELF cupcake and BroadwayWorld was there with the cast for the big reveal. Check out photo coverage below!

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Jordan Gelber
by BWW - November 23, 2012


In this week's edition, we caught up with Jordan Gelber, who is starring as 'Buddy' in ELF- currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

STAGE TUBE: Cast of ELF THE MUSICAL Sings 'Story of Buddy' at Macy's Day Parade!
by Stage Tube - November 22, 2012


America's favorite holiday tradition, the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, returned to dazzle and enchant millions nationwide today, Thursday, November 22. The festivities were featured both on NBC and CBS, each providing performances from different Broadway companies. Check out a performance from the cast of ELF THE MUSICAL singing 'The Story of Buddy The Elf'!

TV: Inside ELF's Opening Night Curtain Call!
by Randy Rainbow - November 19, 2012


ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances began on Friday, November 9, 2012. The production plays a limited engagement of 9 weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld's Randy Rainbow was there for opening night anad we bring you footage from the first curtain call below!

Review Roundup: ELF
by Nicole Rosky - November 19, 2012


Let's see what the critics had to say...

STAGE TUBE: Buddy The Elf Visits Lite FM to Kick Off The Christmas Season!
by Stage Tube - November 19, 2012


Buddy the Elf drops by the Lite FM 106.7 radio studio to help launch the start the holiday season - check out what happens during his visit!

Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside ELF's Gypsy Robe Ceremony
by Walter McBride - November 19, 2012


The company of Elf just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual with the company's recipient Timothy J. Alex. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you full photo coverage below!

TV First Look: ELF Hits Broadway for 2012 Holiday Season - Kritzer, Gelber & More!
by Robert Diamond - November 18, 2012


ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances began on Friday, November 9, 2012. The production plays a limited engagement of 9 weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the show's new video montage below!

Jacques Torres and Cast of ELF Reveal 'Cotton Headed Minty Muggins Hot Chocolate' Today
by BWW News Desk - November 16, 2012


Cast members from the hit Broadway musical ELF will be joined by Mr. Chocolate himself, Jacques Torres, as they introduce the latest holiday creation, Cotton Headed Minty Muggins Hot Chocolate and unveil a giant chocolate mold in the spirit of ELF today, November 16th.

Photo Flash: First Look at Beth Leavel, Leslie Kritzer & More in ELF!
by Nicole Rosky - November 15, 2012


ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances began on Friday, November 9, 2012. The production plays a limited engagement of 9 weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

Photo Coverage: ELF Welcomes Melissa Joan Hart, Aviva Drescher, and More!
by Jennifer Broski - November 14, 2012


ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances will began last week, Friday, November 9, 2012, and the production will play a limited engagement of nine weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. last night the show welcomed Mamarazzi, hosted by The Moms (Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein) and Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash. Check out photos from the festivities below!

Jacques Torres and Cast of ELF to Reveal 'Cotton Headed Minty Muggins Hot Chocolate', 11/16
by BWW News Desk - November 13, 2012


Cast members from the hit Broadway musical ELF will be joined by Mr. Chocolate himself, Jacques Torres, as they introduce the latest holiday creation, Cotton Headed Minty Muggins Hot Chocolate and unveil a giant chocolate mold in the spirit of ELF on Friday, November 16th.

Local Students Appear in ELF THE MUSICAL at Fox Cities P.A.C., Now thru 11/18
by BWW News Desk - November 13, 2012


Students from Lawrence Academy of Music will have a chance to appear alongside Broadway performers in Elf the Musical at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center today, November 13-18. The young performers between the ages of 5 and 12 will include Nora Austin, Pippa Austin, Gavin Burkheimer, Eleanora Dane, Izzy Dane, Roseanna Dane, Nathaniel James, August McLaughlin, Sylvia Polansky, Will Scheffler, Maura Tarnowski and Annika Urness.

Photo Coverage: ELF's Opening Night Curtain Calls on Broadway - Jordan Gelber, Leslie Kritzer and More!
by Walter McBride - November 10, 2012


ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances will began last night, Friday, November 9, 2012, and the production will play a limited engagement of nine weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld was at the opening performance and brings you photos of the cast and creative team taking their first bows!

Elf The Musical FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the songs in Elf The Musical and what's the order?
Overture
World's Greatest Dad
In The Way
Sparklejollytwinklejingley
I'll Believe In You
In The Way- Reprise
Just Like Him
A Christmas Song
World's Greatest Dad - Reprise
Nobody Cares About Santa
Never Fall In Love (With An Elf)
There Is a Santa Claus
The Story of Buddy
Nobody Cares ... (Santa's Reprise)
A Christmas Song - Reprise
Finale

Elf The Musical History

Other Productions of Elf The Musical

2010   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2012   US Tour NETworks National Tour
US Tour
2012   Broadway Broadway Return Production
Broadway
2013   US Tour NETworks National Tour
US Tour
West End West End
West End
2015   US Tour 2015 Holiday Tour
US Tour
2017   Off-Broadway Madison Square Garden Return Engagement
Off-Broadway
2022   US Tour US Holiday Tour
US Tour
2024   Broadway Broadway Revival Production
Broadway

Videos