NBC is bringing in the holiday spirit with the stop-motion hourlong animated special ELF: BUDDY'S MUSICAL CHRISTMAS. Based on the popular film "Elf" and the hit Broadway show "Elf: The Musical," the special will star four-time Emmy Award winner Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory") as Buddy. The special will air tonight, December 16 on NBC (8-9 p.m. ET) on NBC.
"Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" combines the humor and spirit of both the beloved 2003 holiday film, which drew glowing reviews and earned $173 million at the domestic box office, and the hit Broadway production. The special is an all-new retelling of Buddy's delightfully absurd yet heartwarming story and blends the look and feel of the stop-motion animated Christmas specials of the past with the sharp sensibility of the modern-day classic holiday film.
Santa narrates the story of Buddy's travels to New York City to meet the father he never knew he had. Along the way his unrelenting cheer transforms the lives of everyone he meets and opens his father's eyes to the magic of Christmas.
The voice cast also includes
Mark Hamill, Ed Asner,
Fred Armisen,
Jay Leno,
Matt Lauer,
Gilbert Gottfried, Kate Micucci, Rachael MacFarlane, Max Charles and
Steve Higgins.
There are nine songs in the special, including "Happy All the Time," "A Christmas Song" and "Nobody Cares About
Santa Claus."
"Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" is produced by Warner Bros. Animation, directed by Mark Caballero and Seamus Walsh, teleplay by
Thomas Meehan &
Bob Martin and Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic.
Score by
Matthew Sklar and
Christopher Guardino. Original songs from "Elf: The Musical" - music by
Matthew Sklar and lyrics by
Chad Beguelin. Based on the
New Line Cinema theatrical motion picture "Elf," written by
David Berenbaum, and the Broadway musical "Elf," originally produced by
Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with
Unique Features.
