Review Roundup: ELF Opens at Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the holiday musical, Elf, which opened on November 30 and continues through January 4, 2015.

Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf is directed by Eric Ankrim and choreographed by Josh Rhodes.

Elf features a cast of Broadway veterans and Paper Mill Playhouse favorites, including James Moye (Buddy), Kate Fahrner (Jovie), Paul C. Vogt (Santa), Heidi Blickenstaff (Emily Hobbs), Robert Cuccioli (Walter Hobbs), Cleve Asbury (Mr. Greenway), Jessica Sheridan (Deb) and more.

This is the hilarious and joyous tale of Buddy, an orphan who is mistakenly transported to the North Pole and raised by Santa's elves. Now, as a grownup, he embarks on a journey to discover his true identity. It's a holiday treat for the entire family.

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

Marina Kennedy, BroadwayWorld: The show is delightful from the opening moment when Santa Claus greets the audience and introduces the tale of Buddy the Elf. Your spirits will soar at this show, right along with Santa's sleigh...Elf is made magical with wonderful direction by Eric Ankrim, clever choreography by Josh Rhodes and lively musical direction by Dominick Amenudum...The cast is led by James Moye as Buddy who masters his role with the perfect measure of sincerity and humor. Kate Fahrner is ideal as Jovie, a sympathetic young woman who is skeptical of Buddy's rather bumbling romantic efforts toward her...Paul Vogt is the ideal Santa Claus, a contemporary version of the legendary character, glib and charming...Elf is a festive, fun, fast-paced musical theatre production.

Michael Sommers, The New York Times: Anybody who doesn't get a nice holiday kick out of Paper Mill Playhouse's current production of "Elf" might be a candidate for Santa's naughty list...Enjoyable as the first act is, it really just serves as an amiable windup for the show's second part, when the score, script and this production ably directed by Eric Ankrim suddenly zoom away like Santa's sleigh at warp speed...Mr. Ankrim directed "Elf" at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theater in 2012, and he stages the confident show at Paper Mill with an energetic company festively dressed in vivid hues by David C. Woolard...Wearing his yellow tights and green tunic with pride, a gangling James Moye portrays Buddy as an endearing, mildly anxious man-child with an ingenuous personality and a wide smile...The fusion of song, dance, story and performance that makes this episode so exuberant is characteristic of the entire production, which delivers a merry treat for the holiday season.

Ronni Reich, The Star-Ledger: But if not always fresh, Buddy's story of love, family and belonging can still be endearing. The creators of the show, which first appeared on Broadway in 2010 have done a thoroughly professional job, and the Paper Mill offers a fine production...Matthew Sklar's score leans heavily on predictable, upbeat, oompah-driven patter, and lyricist Chad Beguelin works hard to pack the rhymes in...Under director Eric Ankrim, mugging is frequent, and choreographer Josh Rhodes meets the need for splashy production numbers with at least three instances of jazz hands, a kickline and taps on the bottoms of upturned elf shoes...Ankrim's production has sweetness as well. Moye is genuinely moving as Buddy sings of getting to know Walter..."Elf" is maybe not always the most original, nor does it bear the memorable songs of newer fare such as "A Christmas Story the Musical." But it does offer the certainties and the satisfactions of tradition, its share of quirks and surprises, and plenty of talent.

Jim Beckerman, NorthJersey.com: This sprightly Paper Mill production, following in the wake of several Christmas season runs in New York, should be an entertaining holiday treat for kids and more than pleasant for their parents -- though, like an outsize Christmas tree, it could do with a little pruning..."Elf" is one of those Christmas stories, like "Miracle on 34th Street," that strike comic sparks by having old-fashioned, innocuous Christmas cheer rub up against modern-day dyspepsia. This show takes the Christmas burnout of the audience for granted (accurately, no doubt), and tries to disarm any cynicism by building it into the dialogue...Stepping into Will Ferrell's role, Moye is every bit the big goof, with perhaps a little hint of the late Robin Williams' manic energy...Fans of the movie will probably miss Peter Dinklage, or at least his role (a furiously angry children's author who is a sort of Malcolm X of little people). But which of us, theatergoers included, gets everything on his Christmas list?

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Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy