BWW Interviews: Q&A with ELF's Lindsay Nicole Chambers

"Elf," the Christmas musical based off of the hit movie, is coming to town this holiday season! Starting November 26th, the musical will play at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through December 15th. BroadwayWorld chatted with the musical's Jovie, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, to talk about tour life with "Elf," playing Bernadette Peters, and more!

There are two tours of "Elf" happening right now during the holiday season. Have you had any interaction with the other cast?

No, I don't even know their schedule. They're so far away from us! Our director and choreographer and all of their associates and assistants, the first week they were driving back and forth so they could get us both open at the same time, because it was two companies opening the same week. I don't know what their schedule is from here on out, I don't know if they're doing weeklong sit-downs or what. It's been fine for us, but I'm sure it was really crazy for the creatives!

The "Elf" musical, obviously, originates from the film of the same name with Zooey Deschanel in the role of Jovie. Did her portrayal affect how you approached your character, whether it be trying to make the role your own or getting ideas from her performance?

No, I just loved the movie, so I guess watching the movie and then sort of taking that all in as a whole. I don't think any of us watched it again to prepare for the show.

"Elf" is obviously a very kid-friendly show. How does having so many kids in the audience change the dynamics of the performance? Are there things you have think about onstage that you normally wouldn't?

It's crafted to be really cool for children, as long as they can sit through it! (Laughs) It's still over two hours, but it's completely family-friendly. It's great!

What's your favorite holiday tradition?

For New Year's Eve we always went to my grandparents' house and at the stroke of midnight we would all run outside and bang pots and pans on the front porch. It was SO much fun and we could always hear other families doing it too!

You were recently in "Forbidden Broadway" - what was your favorite character you played and did you ever have to poke fun at a show you had done or a fellow actor friend?

We made fun of "Newsies" and I have a good friend, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, in "Newsies." I didn't have to be him - somebody else did - so that was funny. They all came and loved it. I don't think we did a show that I did, but we did get to make fun of "Cinderella," too, and I'm friends with Santino (Fontana) from "Submissions Only," as well, so that was just kind of great and awkward and funny and hilarious. It was really fun! Bernadette Peters, I think, was my favorite. She, herself, is not ridiculous, but that character is so ridiculous. You get to blow up all of her little quirks, so that was really fun.

What's your dream role?

I wanna be Roxie in "Chicago." I really wanna do that! But, then, also, having done "Lysistrata Jones," I never know how much fun it would be to originate something. I mean, that's the ultimate dream: to originate something that then somebody else could be like, "Oh my gosh, my dream role would be that one!"

What's next for you after the "Elf" tour ends?

Well, we're negotiating a couple things which would be back in New York City, but I don't know how any of its going to play out, so I can't really talk about any of it right now. But, there's stuff in the works!

Well, that's great that there are things on the horizon!

Yeah, so, keep your fingers crossed! (Laughs)

Lindsay Nicole Chambers can be seen in "Elf," playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph), November 26th - December 15th, 2013. Tickets can be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or by calling (800) 775-2000. Tickets range from $18 - $90.

Photo Credit: Amy Boyle

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