Some 'Buddy' Comes to the Carpenter Center for the Holidays in ELF: THE MUSICAL

Musical Theatre West (MTW) brings everyone's favorite Elf to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in the new holiday classic Elf: The Musical November 30 - December 9. Tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org, by calling (562) 856-1999, or at the Musical Theatre West box office. Tickets start at $20.

Based on the cherished film starring Will Ferrell, Elf: The Musical features songs by Tony Award nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (Disney's Aladdin on Broadway, The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).

Elf: The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy (Matt Owen), a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's (Bryan Dobson) bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy's 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 (Mark Edgar Stephens), discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf! Peggy Hickey (Broadway: Anastasia and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder) serves as Director / Choreographer with Music Direction by Dennis Castellano (MTW: White Christmas, Nice Work If You Can Get It). Bill Burns (Broadway: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, La Cage Aux Folles) serves as Associate Director/Choreographer.

MTW's production boasts a cast of Broadway, National Tour, regional, and local actors. Matt Owen recreates his role of "Buddy," which he performed at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Additional credits include performances of Oklanhoma!, Titanic, Gypsy, Pippin, 1776, and Anything Goes.

Bryan Dobson (Santa) has starred in numerous national and European tours, including Jesus Christ Superstar (Herod), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Brad), Aladdin (Genie), and Man of La Mancha (Tenorio). MTW audiences will remember his critically acclaimed turn as Old Lou in the Southern California premiere of Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Kim Huber (Emily) starred on Broadway as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and originated the role on the national tour. Also on Broadway, Huber performed the role of Betty Schaeffer in the original company of Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close, and originated the role of Grace Parker in Marie Christine at Lincoln Center, starring Audra McDonald.

Mark Edgar Stephens (Walter) Broadway and National Tour credits include roles in Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis), A Chorus Line (Don Kerr), and Oliver! (Bill Sykes), starring opposite Andrea McArdle. A mainstay on the regional theatre circuit, Stephens appeared in numerous productions, including Cinderella; She Loves Me; Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief; Into the Woods; and Zorba and as a frequent guest on numerous daytime and prime time television shows

Young audiences will recognize 12-yeart-old Travis Burnett (Michael) from his recurring role on The Disney Channel's "Raven's Home," and his starring turn as Dylan in "So Shook." A seasoned actor, he has appeared in more than a dozen productions, including Musical Theatre West's production of Mary Poppins (Michael Banks), Newsies at the La Mirada Theatre (Les), and The Music Man at the Palos Verdes Performing Arts Center (Winthrop).

Don't miss the show certain to make everyone embrace their inner elf. This production is made possible thanks to the support of Season Sponsors: The Port of Long Beach and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; Honorary Producers: Ackerman Family/Evalyn M Bauer Foundation, Ken & Dottie Reiner, Don & Marlene Temple, and Kathy Baker Cambell and KC Wilson. Youth Performance Underwriters: Patti Beckman and Bonnie Klein. Paul Garman serves as Executive Producer/Director of Musical Theatre West.

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