Review: ELF THE MUSICAL at The John W. Engeman Theater At Northport

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, we're telling you why, Buddy the Elf is coming to town! In fact, he just opened an effervescent production of "Elf The Musical" at the John Engeman Theater in Northport.

Based on the charming and popular film starring Will Ferrell, "Elf the Musical" has become the new holiday staple first staged on Broadway, then the Theater at Madison Square Garden, and now popping up everywhere. With swift direction by Matt Kunkel and fizzy choreography by Mara Newbery Greer, the Engeman's "Elf" is spreading holiday joy and warming every heart.

The experienced Erik Gratton plays Buddy, the elf who accidentally went home with Santa one Christmas Eve and grew up at the North Pole until one day, he sets out for New York City to meet his birth father. Along his journey, he meets many interesting characters, some nicer than others, and just wants to make people happy. So the quirky elf puts syrup on spaghetti and is enthralled with the paper shredder that makes unlimited snow! He means no harm and only wants to be a platinum member of his human family.

Mr. Gratton's fantastic Buddy takes us along his magical journey with pizazz. Each production number is a spectacle and Mr. Gratton relishes in the Christmas spirit right up to next Christmas. His father Walter Hobbs, played by the great Joe Gately, is definitely a softer soul than James Caan in the movie. Walter learns to love Buddy and reconnect with his distant family.

Broadway veteran Christianne Tisdale is a loving and endearing Emily Hobbs, wife of Walter, stepmother to Buddy, and mother to Michael played by the excellent Zachary Podair. Master Podair has an outstanding singing voice and gives us reason to believe that everything will turn out alright in the end.

Buddy's love interest Jovie is played by the sweet Caitlin Gallogly who not only supports Buddy but proudly in act two ties up all loose ends. Standout performances include Nicole Hale as the wisecracking secretary, Richard B. Watson as scrooge Mr. Greenway, and Randy Donaldson as the energetic store manager. Other scene stealers include the magnificent Jacob Melssen and Matthew Varvar who appear in various roles throughout the production.

Finally, Gordon Gray is a perfect Santa Claus. How could we give Santa a bad review? He serves as the storyteller and we wish him the same merriment he presented to all of us. All the stellar cast members are fun and fabulous including Lauren Gobes, Trevor Michael Schmidt, Danielle Nigro, AJ Lockhart, Andrew Aaron Berlin, Sophia Deery, Kieran Brown, Tiger Brown, and Halle Mastroberadino. As the holiday season approaches, "Elf The Musical" reminds all of us that family is most important and makes us wish that Buddy the "sparklejollytwinklejingley" Elf was a part of our family!

Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, Music by Matthew Skylar, Lyrics by Chad Beguelin, Producing Artistic Director Richard T. Dolce, Managing Director Kevin J. O'Neill, Scenic Design Nate Bertone, Costume Design Leon Dobkowski, Lighting Design Shelby Loera, Sound Design Laura Shubert, Wig and Hair Design Kurt Alger, Props Design Kristie Moschetta, Production Stage Manager Leila Scandar, Music Director Charlie Reuter, Associate Choreographer Tiger Brown, Choreographed by Mara Newbery Greer and Directed by Matt Kunkel

Starring: Andrew Aaron Berlin, Kieran Brown, Tiger Brown, Sophia Deery, Randy Donaldson, Caitlin Gallogly, Joe Gately, Lauren Gobes, Erik Gratton, Gordon Gray, Nicole Hale, AJ Lockhart, Halle Mastroberardino, Jacob Melssen, Danielle Nigro, Zachary Podair, Trevor Michael Schmidt, Christianne Tisdale, Matthew Varvar, and Richard B. Watson

For more information or tickets please call: 631-261-2900 or visit: www.engemantheater.com