San Antonio Majestic Theatre, Elf, December 2025

MAJESTIC THEATRE

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

UNWRAPPING THE MAGIC: SONGWRITERS MATTHEW SKYLAR AND CHAD BEGUELIN ON CREATING ELF THE MUSICAL

STORY BY BETH STEVENS

As the holiday season approaches, the curtain rises once again on Elf The Musical, a vibrant adaptation of the beloved 2003 film starring Will Ferrell. The story follows Buddy, a human raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole, as he journeys to New York City in search of his true identity and family. Along the way, Buddy spreads holiday cheer and encounters memorable characters, including a cynical department store manager and a potential love interest, all while discovering what it means to be part of a family. With a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin and a charming score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, Elf The Musical has become a cherished holiday tradition across the country.

In an interview with Broadway.com, Sklar and Beguelin shared insights into their creative process and the inspiration behind their festive musical. The idea of transforming the film into a stage production was an exhilarating prospect for lyricist Chad Beguelin. “We were completely over the moon about the idea.” He noted that the movie is inherently musical, making it feel natural for the characters to express themselves through song.

Composer Sklar echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their desire to craft music that resonates with the holiday spirit while remaining true to the essence of musical theater. “We wanted everything to feel like it could fit into a holiday Christmas sampler,” he explained, “but still function as musical theater songs.”

Since its Broadway debut in 2010, Elf The Musical has become a staple of holiday entertainment. Sklar and Beguelin reflected on the joy of seeing audiences, particularly children, experience the magic of live theater. “It’s incredibly rewarding to watch the little ones light up during the show,” Beguelin said. “There’s a moment at the end when the house lights come up slightly, and you can see the kids’ faces filled with excitement. For many, it’s their first time seeing live theater, and I remember how that experience opened up a whole new world for me.”

As Elf The Musical continues to spread holiday cheer, it reminds us all of the joy and wonder that live performance can bring, particularly during the most magical time of the year.

For extended cuts of this interview and others, head over to Broadway.com.

IN WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, CIRCUS MOVES AREN’T JUST TRICKS; THEY’RE STORYTELLING

STORY BY Ruthie Fierberg

It seems obvious to use circus maneuvers to tell a story about, well, a circus. And yet, the circus created in the new Broadway musical Water for Elephants seems eons away from P.T. Barnum’s tent-set acts made explicitly for spectacle and show.

“What is so stunning about the circus movement is that it’s all derived in a movement language and vocabulary as opposed to trick, trick, trick, trick, trick,” said the musical’s co-choreographer Jesse Robb. The musical’s circus elements, while dazzling, serve the narrative — which follows Jacob Jankowski, a man who runs away from a shattered life and accidentally hops a train car of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.

Yet circus is just one vernacular in the choreographic language of Water for Elephants. Gymnastics, aerial stunts, trapeze, hand-to-hand acrobatics, juggling, tightrope and more combine with traditional dance styles (jazz, swing, lyrical) to tell a collective story through motion. For the most part, circus designer and co-choreographer Shana Carroll crafted the circus sequences and Robb set the dance, “but there’s a Venn diagram,” Carroll said. “There’s fluidity at the center of it.”

There’s also a common theatricality. From the moment Carroll fell in love with circus arts at age 18, she was attracted to the form’s expressiveness. “When I work with my acrobats, there’s a lot of talk about intention,” Carroll said. “What is this expressing? If you are going to do a banquine (an acrobatic act with two or more bases and at least one flyer), is this a celebration? If you’re grabbing your rope, is it about the tenacity of the grab?”

With Water for Elephants, Carroll determined the types of circus she would use— for example, choosing “corde lisse” (rope work), tightrope and hand-to-hand, but eschewing stilts and the complex Russian Swing apparatus. That part is the circus design. But once she decided the modalities, she had to choreograph the beat-bybeat steps.

At the beginning of Act 1, for example, the character Marlena (who performs with and cares for the circus’ liberty horses) sings the lullaby “Easy” to her wounded stallion, Star. Embodying Star onstage is a human performer, who performs a “tissu loop” act of delicacy and pain. But Carroll had to decide that tissu loop (in which the actor suspends themself on a pendulum of aerial silk) would be the way to communicate that emotion and then choreograph the routine.

“It becomes very engineering brain: the actual length of the fabric to get the type of pendulum we want, etc.,” Carroll said. “Then it’s a lot of playing. The most interesting thing for me was testing the parameters. If we get too far into actually doing a trick, we lose the emotion and the [spirit of the] horse and [Marlena] singing.”

“It was constantly showing restraint and pulling back and doing just enough — [like] when he was galloping, saying, ‘Maybe he could do a little kick here and there,’” Carroll continued. “I feel like the work was testing each edge of what’s too much [and] what’s not enough to find just the right amount of circus.” That experimentation led to the con-

Co-choreographer and circus designer Shana Carroll and co-choreographer Jesse Robb describe crafting the musical’s seamless movement through acrobatics and dance. continued on page

8 | curtaincall

sistent, choreographed routines audiences see throughout Water for Elephants

The whole musical is a balancing act of melding narrative and sensation, circus and dance. In fact, fusing these different movement lexicons was one of the greatest overall challenges in choreographing Water for Elephants.

“There were three major languages that existed,” Robb explained of his company. “There were actors, who took beats off each other and were able to utilize that for their impetus. There were dancers, who are very linear in eight counts and understand the musicality, and then there were circus artists who were physically taking [cues] off each other when they were ready.”

“Somehow, Shana and I were always going, ‘How do those three groups find similar cues and vocabularies that they can utilize in a production number or scene [to get] all three on the same page?” he continued. “Those three different palettes are so unique, in terms of how you gutturally achieve that movement on the beat, that it took so much work.”

What resulted are numbers like “Zostán,” which equally conveys the joy of the Benzini Brothers’ performers through high-flying leaps as it does through stomping and jiving, and “The Lion Has Got No Teeth,” which exposes the circus’ deception through handstands and partner throws as well as spins, slides, jumps and pulses. Throughout the show, the ensemble — made up of musical theater and circus talent — moves as a whole.

“That was the number-one objective and the idea: creating steps and movement that you basically couldn’t decipher between an acrobat or an actor or a dancer,” said Robb. “It created this world of a collective as opposed to: [dancers] do this and then [acrobats] do this.”

But Carroll and Robb both said they could not have built this — or the show — without each other.

“I trust his voice and eyes and opinions so much,” Carroll said of Robb. “That level of partnership was such a gift, and I think that it just sharpened us each to our better selves.” Robb agreed, “We bring out the best in each other.”

Between all of the choreographic moments, Robb can’t pick one that most resonates. For him, it’s the full picture.

“I feel like — in terms of the collaboration for [director] Jess [Stone], Shana and myself — you really do get a chance to explore the extremes of human nature’s physicality and what you can show off and do, but in a playful way that is still diegetic and spur of the moment,” Robb said. “Hopefully, it feels very improv and exciting in that manner because it should.”

Even though it’s choreographed within an inch of its daring and remarkable life.

BONUS: Hear from the show’s director in the podcast episode “5 minutes with a Tony nominee: Water for Elephants’ Jessica Stone” at BroadwayNews.com.

Water for Elephants takes center stage January 20-25 at the Majestic Theatre as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio series. For extended cuts of this interview and others, head over to BroadwayNews.com.

CAST

Santa Claus ANDREW HENDRICK

Mrs. Claus ALYSIA VASTARDIS

Buddy JACK DUCAT

Charlie KABIR GANDHI

Tiara ............................................................................................................................CALISTA CASE

Hot Dog Vendor DARIUS J. MANUEL

Walter Hobbs ........................................................................................................... JEFF BROOKS

Sam KEILA SUE WONG

Matthews TANNER GLEESON

Chadwick .................................................................................................................. KABIR GANDHI

Emily Hobbs YARA MARTIN

Michael Hobbs .......................................................................... RYAN DUCK, CAMDEN KWOK

Deb KATELYN LAURIA

Saleswoman ALYSIA VASTARDIS

Store Manager ............................................................................................... DARIUS J. MANUEL

Jovie FELICIA MARTIS

Fake Santa ............................................................................................................... ADAM FURGAL

Little Boy RYAN DUCK, CAMDEN KWOK

Policemen KABIR GANDHI, TANNER GLEESON

Mr. Greenway ANDREW HENDRICK

Charlotte Dennon MIKAYLA THRASHER

Ensemble ..................................CONNOR BARTON, CALISTA CASE, DERICK DONATO, ADAM FURGAL, KABIR GANDHI, TANNER GLEESON, PATRICK JOHNSON, VANESSA MITCHELL, EMMA SUCATO, MIKAYLA THRASHER, ALYSIA VASTARDIS, KEILA SUE WONG

UNDERSTUDIES

Understudies are in alphabetical order and never substitute for the listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the appearance.

For Santa/Mr. Greenway—CONNOR BARTON, DARIUS J. MANUEL; for Buddy—TANNER GLEESON, PATRICK JOHNSON; for Store Manager/Hot Dog Vendor—KABIR GANDHI, PATRICK JOHNSON; for Walter—ADAM FURGAL, ANDREW HENDRICK; for Emily—KATELYN LAURIA, MIKAYLA THRASHER; for Deb—VANESSA MITCHELL, EMMA SUCATO; for Jovie—CALISTA CASE, ALYSIA VASTARDIS

SWINGS

DERICK DONATO, VANESSA MITCHELL, CLARK ANTON RULON, ANNIE WOGISCH

Dance Captain—ANNIE WOGISCH

Assistant Dance Captain CLARK ANTON RULON

The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, beepers and watches

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT I

Overture........................................................................................................................... The Orchestra

“Happy All the Time” Santa, Buddy and Company

“World’s Greatest Dad” Buddy

“In the Way”

Deb, Walter, Emily, Michael and Company

“Sparklejollytwinklejingley” ........................... Buddy, Jovie, Store Manager and Company

“I’ll Believe in You” Michael and Emily

“In the Way” (Reprise) Emily and Walter

“Just Like Him” Buddy, Deb and Company

“A Christmas Song” .......................................................................... Buddy, Jovie and Company

“World’s Greatest Dad” (Reprise) ............................................................Buddy and Company

ACT II

Entr’acte The Orchestra

“Nobody Cares About Santa” Fake Santas, Store Manager, Waitress and Buddy

“Never Fall in Love” ....................................................................................................................... Jovie

“There Is a Santa Claus” Michael and Emily

“The Story of Buddy the Elf” Buddy, Michael, Walter, Mr. Greenway, Emily, Deb and Company

“Nobody Cares About Santa” (Reprise) .............................................................................. Santa

“A Christmas Song” (Reprise) ........ Jovie, Buddy, Emily, Michael, Walter and Company Finale Full Company

THERE WILL BE ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION. PERFORMANCE TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS & 30 MINUTES.

MUSICIANS

Conductor—CHARLIE YOKOM

Assistant Conductor/Keyboards—CALEB MIDDLETON Trumpet—TODD DOUGLAS ANDERSON Saxophone—MEGAN TRACH Trombone—THOMAS DAVID WOYTKO Bass—SARAH KLEIN Drums/Percussion—AVION WRIGHT

Music Coordinator—TALITHA FEHR Music Technology—PHIJ ADAMS

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

JACK DUCAT (Buddy) is beyond excited to be making his national tour debut! Select regional: Texas Shakespeare Festival, Eclipse Theatre, San Antonio Broadway Theatre and Short North Stage. Jack would like to thank his family, Grey Henson and HCKR. B.F.A. Carnegie Mellon University.

FELICIA MARTIS (Jovie) is thrilled to be spreading Christmas cheer this holiday season! National tours: Ain’t Too Proud Regional: Hairspray (Dynamite), Escape to Margaritaville (Rachel), Beautiful (Little Eva). Thank you to her family, friends and her amazing agent at FSE! feliciamartis.com. @fmartis.

JEFF BROOKS (Walter Hobbs). National tours: Dear Evan Hansen (Larry), Chicago (Billy Flynn), A Bronx Tale (Sonny), Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), Oklahoma!, Bullets Over Broadway (Cheech). Guest star on Netflix’s “The Watcher.” “Thanks to ATB and my family, especially Lauren.”

YARA MARTIN (Emily Hobbs). Regional: Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Natalie in All Shook Up, Heathers, Carrie, Grease, The Buddy Holly Story. TV: “Found,” “Murdaugh Murders.” Yara studied at Circle in the Square Theatre School. “Thanks to my husband and my dog. Gleðileg jól!” @yaramartinofficial.

RYAN DUCK (Michael Hobbs/Little Boy) is thrilled to make his Broadway tour debut! Ten regional credits, most recently Anything Goes (Billy Crocker). Thanks to the Elf team, Arc Casting, Landrum Arts, Antonia, Taylor, Gabe, NTPA, Mommy, Daddy, Mackenzie, family and friends! IG: @ryanduck.official.

CAMDEN KWOK (Michael Hobbs/ Little Boy). NYC native, age 9, excited for his second Broadway national tour! Previous stage roles include Peter Pan (Michael Darling) and film/ TV appearances in “Good Sex,” “Only Murders…” and more. Grateful to Maxed Management, family and friends! IG: @camdenkwok.

ANDREW HENDRICK (Santa Claus/ Mr. Greenway). Credits: Come From Away, Fiddler on the Roof, Kinky Boots,

Bullets Over Broadway, Jekyll & Hyde Andrew is a co-producer of the hit musical Be More Chill (Broadway and West End). “For mom, my biggest fan.” Insta: @andrewbhendrick.

KATELYN LAURIA (Deb) is thrilled to make her national tour debut. Favorite stage credits include Come From Away (Bonnie), Frozen (Olaf u/s), Escape to Margaritaville (Tammy), Mamma Mia! (Rosie) and Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick). She thanks her family and friends for their support. @klauria15.

DARIUS J. MANUEL (Store Manager/ Hot Dog Vendor) [he/they]. Revolution-driven creative. National tours: Hadestown, Tina The Musical, Elf (2016). Regional favorites: Sister Act (Curtis), S4NW (Man 1), Memphis (Gator), Tarzan (Terk). Remy Award and NSAL Award-winner in Drama. B.F.A. musical theater (UArts). Thanks to HKA. grow. @legallydarius.

CALISTA CASE (Ensemble) is a Kentucky-born actor and recent graduate of NYU Tisch. Credits: Laurey in Oklahoma! (Playhouse Stage), Meg in Damn Yankees, Judy in Balm in Gilead (NYU). Endless thanks to Casting By Arc, Gregory Osborne and her incredible support system.

CONNOR BARTON (Ensemble) [he/ they]. National tour debut! Regional highlights: A Chorus Line (TBTS), Footloose (Engeman), Tootsie (NSMT) and Tuacahn. B.F.A., Nazareth University. Major thanks to Ricky, Take 3 Talent and ARC. Endless love to Mom, Dad, Claire, Chloe and KARR. @connor.barton.

DERICK DONATO (Onstage Swing). National tour debut! Favorite credits include On Your Feet! (Male Swing) and The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric). B.F.A., Elon University. Many thanks to the creative team, producers, ARC Casting and his team at FSE. Endless love to his family and friends! @derickgdonato.

ADAM FURGAL (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut! B.F.A. MT from Montclair State University. Endless thanks to his family, friends and mentors for their support. @adamfurgal.

KABIR GANDHI (Ensemble) is excited to spread some holiday cheer! National tour: Mean Girls (Kevin G). Select regional: Rock of Ages (Franz, MTW), The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis, Sierra Rep). Endlessly grateful for Pantera/Murphy the Agency, IUMT, Mom, Dad and Juju! @kabir.gandhi.

PATRICK JOHNSON (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his national tour debut! A recent graduate of Chicago College of Performing Arts, Patrick is proud to call Chicago home. Most recently, Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid at Drury Lane. XOXO to all! @patrickj.johnson.

VANESSA MITCHELL (Onstage Swing). Tours: We Will Rock You, 42nd Street, Monty Python’s Spamalot. Regional theater: The Gateway Playhouse, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Ogunquit Playhouse. Film: Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, Hallmark’s A Winter Getaway Proud AMDA NY alum! IG: @vanessamitchell_7.

CLARK ANTON RULON (Swing). National tour debut! Regional: The REV, The Little Theatre on the Square. Cruises: Hairspray, Grease (Royal Caribbean). Endless love to his incredible parents and Sophie for being his biggest supporters. Proud IAMT alum. Enjoy the show!

EMMA SUCATO (Ensemble) is overjoyed to make her national tour debut! Syracuse University alum. Regional: Syracuse Stage, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Glimmerglass Festival. Endless thanks to her mentors, ARC and the Elf team. All her love to family and friends. Happy holidays! @emmasucato.

MIKAYLA THRASHER (Ensemble). Regional: My Best Friend’s Wedding (world premiere, Ogunquit Playhouse), The Marvelous Wonderettes (St. Vincent Theatre), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (McCoy Rigby Entertainment). Select: Steel Magnolias (Shelby), Cabaret (Helga). Proud Wagner College theater alum! “Grateful to my family and ATB Talent.” @mikaylathrasher.

TANNER GLEESON (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his national tour debut! Recent credits: Footloose at The Engeman (Ren), Saturday Night

Fever at Timberlake Playhouse (Tony) and Frozen aboard Disney Cruise Line (Hans). He thanks everyone for their unwavering support everyday! @tannergleeson. tannergleesonactor.com.

ALYSIA VASTARDIS (Ensemble) is excited to spread cheer for the third time after doing Elf national tour 2024 and Ogunquit Playhouse! Recent credits: High Society (Ogunquit), Barbara in Beetlejuice (NCL) and NSMT. B.F.A. MT PPU. Thank you to ARC, MTA, her family, friends and Matt!

ANNIE WOGISCH (Swing). National tour debut! Originally from N.J., Annie is excited to spread Christmas cheer across the U.S. this holiday season! “Biggest thanks to my Mom, Dad, family, friends, agents at ATB, ARC Casting, Crossroads Live and the entire Elf team!” @anniewogisch.

KEILA SUE WONG (Ensemble). National tour debut! Credits include Rita in White Christmas, Ethel in 42nd Street (The Gateway) and the best summer ever at the Arrow Rock Lyceum. TU B.F.A. MT. <3 to her family and friends—おかげさまで. @keilalaalaaa.

THOMAS MEEHAN (1929–2017) (Book). Three-time Tony Award-winning book writer for the Broadway musicals Annie, The Producers and Hairspray. He collaborated on many Broadway musicals, including I Remember Mama; Ain’t Broadway Grand: Bombay Dreams; Cry-Baby; Young Frankenstein; Chaplin: Rocky; Dave, The Musical; and the OffBroadway musicals Annie Warbucks, Death Takes a Holiday and The Lady Eve. He was a long-time contributor of humor pieces to The New Yorker. He co-authored the libretto of the opera 1984 and was an Emmy Award-winning TV comedy writer and collaborator on screenplays, including Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs, To Be or Not to Be, The Producers and One Magic Christmas He was a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.

BOB MARTIN (Book) works as a writer, performer and producer in theater, television and film internationally. He is co-creator of the beloved musicals The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf and The Prom, which have garnered critical acclaim and perennial productions worldwide.

Mr. Martin has won a number of awards for his work, including a Theatre World Award, Drama Desk and a Tony. Next year his musical blockbusters Boop! and Smash will open on Broadway and Millions will premiere at the Alliance Theatre. Mr. Martin is co-creator of cult favorite television series “Slings & Arrows” and more.

MATTHEW SKLAR (Music). Two-time Tony and Emmy award-nominated composer of The Prom (Tony nomination for Best Original Score; winner of the Dramatists Guild Frederick Loewe Award for Dramatic Composition; winner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical), Elf The Musical and The Wedding Singer (Tony nomination for Best Original Score). Select film/TV: The Prom (Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy), “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Direction), “Sesame Street,” “American Masters.” Honors include the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, the Gilman/Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Award and the Jonathan Larson Award.

CHAD BEGUELIN (Lyrics) is a six-time Tony Award nominee. His Broadway works include The Prom (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Book and Outstanding Lyrics), Disney’s Aladdin (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Book and Outstanding Lyrics) and The Wedding Singer (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Lyrics). His debut novel Showmance is available wherever books are sold. Much love to his husband Tom.

PHILIP WM. MCKINLEY (Director). New York: Elf The Musical; The Boy From Oz with Hugh Jackman; Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; The Most Happy Fella (NYCO); Ella, a biographical musical with Anna Deavere Smith (workshop). London: Elf The Musical (2022, 2023, 2025), Ben Hur Live (02 Arena). OffBroadway: Zombie Prom, THWAK Salzburg Music Festival: West Side Story with Cecilia Bartoli and Gustavo

Dudamel conducting. Tokyo: The Three Musketeers; Mozart, l’opéra rock; The Boy From Oz; Chanel. Edinburgh Fringe Festival: That Woman! Wallis Simpson Duchess of Windsor (Pick of the Fringe). Development: The Elaborate Truth, a verbal-sparring dramedy with NY Times international bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz.

LIAM STEEL (Choreographer) is a British director and choreographer whose productions have earned three Olivier Awards and three additional nominations, including one for Best Choreographer for Company, the recent Broadway transfer of which won five Tonys, including Best Musical Revival. Prestigious collaborations include the RSC, National Theatre, Royal Court, Royal Opera House, Shakespeare’s Globe and 12 productions for Regents Park Open Air Theatre. He also created all the musical staging for the Oscarwinning film musical Les Misérables.

DAVE SOLOMON (Restager). Director: Tootsie (U.S. national tour and Japan), Pump Up the Volume (L.A.). Upcoming: Already Perfect (London). Associate director/Broadway: Elf, Tootsie, Side Show, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 9 to 5, Pal Joey, Sunday in the Park with George, The Ritz, Curtains. Film/ TV: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Mr. Holmes,“A Christmas Story Live.” Also a writer/filmmaker/producer/educator: dave-solomon.com.

RICHARD J. HINDS (Associate Choreographer). Broadway/West End credits: Titanique, Elf, Company, Come From Away, Disney’s Newsies, Jekyll & Hyde and Il Divo: A Musical Affair National/international tours: 9 to 5 and Disney’s High School Musical. Regional credits include The Muny, Ogunquit Playhouse, The REV Theatre Company, Flat Rock Playhouse, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, La Mirada Theatre and North Shore Music Theatre. @richardjhinds.

ELYN COLLIER (Assistant Director). Regional associate: Come From Away (Ogunquit, La Mirada), Tootsie (NSMT), Mary Poppins (Berkshire Theatre Group), eight shows at (Pittsburgh CLO). Regional choreography: Little Shop of Horrors (Art Farm); Something Rotten!, Spamalot (both BWW Best

Dance Production). Film: The Hiding Place. Faculty Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. elyncollier.com. @elyncollier.

ALEC MANN (Assistant Choreographer) was most recently the resort-wide choreographer for SkyWorlds Theme Park at Resorts World Genting, Malaysia. He has been the choreographer for Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione in Paris for the past three seasons. Other notable credits include Disneyland Paris, Rabanne, Huda Beauty, Kylie Minogue, Wereldkerst Circus and Printemps Haussmann.

TIM GOODCHILD (Original Scenic and Costume Design). International awardwinning designer for stage, television, film and opera. Having designed over 135 productions for London’s West End, he is the recipient of three Laurence Olivier awards and three nominees. He designed “A Simple Man” for BBC2 which won a BAFTA. Queen’s We Will Rock You, The Nutcracker and The Little Prince film are but a few.

PATRICK WOODROFFE (Lighting Design). For over 40 years, Patrick Woodroffe has created the lighting for musical theater, concerts, operas, ballet, architecture and special events. Artists include ABBA, Adele, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Donna Summer, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones. In musical theater, he has lit productions of Bat Out of Hell, West Side Story, Mamma Mia! The Party, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. He lit the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Olympic Games in London.

GARETH OWEN (Sound Design). Broadway highlights: Hell’s Kitchen (Tony nom.), Back to the Future, & Juliet (Tony nom.), MJ (Tony win), Bad Cinderella, Diana, Summer, Come From Away, A Bronx Tale, End of the Rainbow (Tony nom.), A Little Night Music (Tony nom.). West End highlights: Starlight Express, MJ, Back to the Future (Olivier nom.), Prince of Egypt, Come From Away (Olivier win), Bat Out of Hell (Olivier nom.), Memphis (Olivier win), Top Hat (Olivier nom.), Merrily We Roll Along (Olivier win). garethowensound.com. @garethowensound.

SAM COX (Hair and Wig Design).

Theater includes Cabaret; Six the Musical; Sister Act; Kiss Me, Kate; The Baker’s Wife; Mrs. Doubtfire; Moulin Rouge!; Bedknobs and Broomsticks; Evita; The Cher Show; The Osmonds; White Christmas; and Curtains (Broadway, West End, U.K. tours). Film and television include The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Wicked, Paddington in Peru, Snow White, Wicked Little Letters, “Loki,” “Dr. Who,” “Downton Abbey,” James Bond: No Time to Die, Death on the Nile and Cruella

ALAN WILLIAMS (Music Supervisor, Additional Arrangements & Orchestrations). Olivier and Whatsonstage award-winner. Broadway: Sunset Blvd., Funny Girl London/U.K.: Sunset Boulevard, Crazy for You, Elf, Hairspray, Evita, The Boy in the Dress, Big Fish, Aladdin, Funny Girl, A Damsel in Distress, Assassins, Urinetown, The Commitments, A Chorus Line, Shrek, …Spelling Bee, Passion, Spamalot. Albums: Sunset Boulevard, The Boy in the Dress, Funny Girl and Sister Act. alanwilliamsmd.com.

DOUG BESTERMAN (Orchestration). Three-time Tony Award winner. Broadway: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Anastasia, A Bronx Tale, It Shoulda Been You, Bullets Over Broadway, Rocky, On a Clear Day, Sister Act, How to Succeed…, Young Frankenstein, Tarzan, Dracula, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Producers, Seussical, The Music Man, Fosse, Big, Damn Yankees. Film/TV: “Schmigadoon!”, Mary Poppins Returns, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Mulan, Chicago

DAVID CHASE (Dance Arrangements). Music director, supervisor and/or arranger for 40-plus Broadway musicals. TV includes “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Schmigadoon!”, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “The Sound of Music Live!” and “Étoile.” Also: Boston Pops, Radio City, choral music for Judith Clurman/Hal Leonard. Nominated for two Emmys, a Grammy and an Olivier.

NATE PATTEN (Associate Music Supervision). In addition to Elf, Nate has conducted two other Sklar/ Beguelin scores: The Prom (OBC) and The Wedding Singer (first national

tour). Select Broadway: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Be More Chill, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Tours: Flashdance, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Other conducting credits: The Kennedy Center and MSG. Nate is also an accomplished director and writer. Thank you to Matthew Sklar. @natepatten.

ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING

(Tour

Marketing & Press) is a full-service, integrated marketing agency working with the world’s largest entertainment, consumer and lifestyle brands, including 85+ Broadway shows over three decades. Current tours: Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Hadestown, Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia!, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Notebook, The Outsiders, Some Like It Hot, Suffs, The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Upcoming tours: The Great Gatsby, Operation Mincemeat, Riverdance.

BOND THEATRICAL (Tour Booking) is an independently owned theatrical booking, marketing and publicity company representing award-winning Broadway shows and live entertainment properties. Bond connects artists and audiences by forming strategic, authentic and profitable partnerships between producers and presenters across North America. For a complete list of current projects, please visit bondtheatrical.com.

ARC (Casting). 150+ productions across the globe and 13 Artios Awards for Casting. Broadway/NY past and credits include Othello, Real Women Have Curves, A Wonderful World, Life of Pi, Chicago the Musical, Disney’s The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, Hadestown, Lost in Yonkers, The Great Comet of 1812, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, The 39 Steps, Pippin, La Cage aux Folles. TV/film: Netflix, 20th Century Fox, NBC, Lionsgate, Disney Channel. West End/U.K.: Hadestown, Thriller Live, Menier Chocolate Factory. Tours: 1776, Hairspray, Waitress, Urinetown, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, Into the Woods, We Will Rock You. Regional: A.R.T., Berkeley Rep, Alley, Bay Street, Goodspeed, Hollywood Bowl, McCarter, Signature. ARC. Part of RWS Global. castingbyarc. com. IG: @castingbyarc.

CHARLIE YOKOM (Music Director) is thrilled to return to Christmastown! Recent: Music director for World’s Greatest Lover at the Edinburgh Fringe. Touring credits include Elf, The Sound of Music, Hairspray and Waitress. Many thanks to Nate, Dave, Ricky, Marissa and the wonderful cast, band and crew! charlieyokom.com.

JESS LEVINE (Production Stage Manager) ) is so excited to be spreading Christmas cheer across the country with the company of Elf for the second time! Originally from Pittsburgh and a proud graduate of Penn State, favorite credits include the Hairspray national tour; Plano and The Cherry Orchard (Quantum Theatre); and Shantytown (Pittsburgh Playwrights). Many thanks to family and friends for their continued support!

KELSEY HARLOW (Assistant Stage Manager) is very excited to be on her first tour! A recent graduate from Carnegie Mellon University, Kelsey completed her master’s degree in stage and production management in May. Some of her favorite shows that she has worked on are Titanic (Carnegie Mellon), Million Dollar Quartet (Berkshire Theatre Group) and Cats (Utah Festival Opera). Happy Holidays!

KATHY CRAWFORD-HAWKINS (Company Manager) is very excited to be part of the Crossroads team again! Incredibly grateful to her husband and family for their love and support. Thanks to all the folks and shows (Stomp, Walking with Dinosaurs, The Illusionists, Tootsie, Grinch, AMCC, GOAT) that have given her the opportunity to do what she so enjoys!

EMILY MIU (Assistant Company Manager) is usually spending her time as an associate general manager with Crossroads Live North America. Emily is excited to embark on her first national tour. Previous credits include work with Olney Theatre Center and Detroit Public Theatre. Emily is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.

TEMPLE LIVE NORTH AMERICA

(Producer) is a producer and promoter of exceptional live events and experiences across multiple entertainment genres, including comedy, exhibitions and classical music. TLE has histori-

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cally produced a variety of theatrical musicals in the U.K. and internationally, including Elf The Musical in the West End, on Broadway and on tour; Mamma Mia! The Party in London and Stockholm; the 20th Anniversary tour of Rent The Musical in London and the U.K.; and The Phantom of the Opera and Cats in Monte Carlo. TLE is part of the Eventim Live International promoter network, which comprises over 30 partners in 15 countries. temple-live. com.

CROSSROADS LIVE NORTH AMERICA (Producer) brings together some of the world’s top producers of live entertainment, now all under one banner. With offices in London, New York, Washington, D.C., Sydney and Melbourne, its global platform ensures the best-loved titles from Broadway and the West End can be embraced by audiences around the world. Crossroads Live North America, under the leadership of Angela Rowles, is an innovative, full-service theatrical production company delivering the Broadway experience to audiences in North America and beyond. Its 2025–2026 season: Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Elf The Musical, Kinky Boots, The Phantom of the Opera (Asia), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. xroadslive.com/team/na.

INGRID SUTEJ (Producer for Temple Live Entertainment). Producer and promoter of hit musicals, classical tours and immersive exhibitions across a threedecade career. Musical theater credits include Elf The Musical (West End, 2015, 2022, 2023), The Phantom of the Opera (Monte Carlo, 2023), Rent The Musical (U.K. tour, 2016–17), White Christmas (West End, 2014), Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert (London The O2, 2012), Les Misérable in Concert (London The O2, 2010). Co-producer of Mamma Mia! The Party (Stockholm 2017, London 2019) with Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA. Ingrid has also toured the world’s top classical artists for many years, including Cecilia Bartoli, Angela Gheorghiu, Pretty Yende, Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, Bryn Terfel and Lise Davidsen. Founder and CEO of Temple Live Entertainment (temple-live.com).

MIGUEL ESTEBAN (Associate Producer for Temple Live Entertainment) has

been associate producer of Elf (West End, 2015, 2022, 2023) and Mamma Mia! The Party (London, 2019) and producer of Rent (London and U.K. tour, 2016–17) and the opera Norma (European tour, 2016–17). He is general manager of soprano Anna Netrebko and co-founder of the Verbier Festival in Switzerland. Raised in Glendale, Calif., by Cuban parents, he is a graduate of the University of Southern California.

SUZI ARKLEY (Commercial & Marketing Director for Temple Live Entertainment) oversees all worldwide commercial, marketing and communication aspects of Temple Entertainment Live. She has over two decades of experience working across the live entertainment sector, including most recently on Elf The Musical (West End 2022–23), The Phantom of the Opera (Monte Carlo 2023) and Mamma Mia! The Party (Stockholm 2017 and London 2019). Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Suzi lives in London with her husband and two daughters.

KORI PRIOR (Executive Producer) is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years of experience in the global theater and entertainment industry. She has served as the executive producer of The Phantom of the Opera international tour as well as multiple Broadway tours, including popular titles such as Annie, Tootsie, The Color Purple and My Fair Lady. She was an executive producer for Elf The Musical on Broadway and spent more than two decades producing and supervising productions around the world for Blue Man Group, where she was instrumental in the development and expansion of the brand on five continents.

ANDREW TERLIZZI (General Manager) has spent almost two decades touring productions worldwide before joining Crossroads Live as senior general manager. Highlights of his career include Kinky Boots, Bodyguard The Musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and West Side Story. He is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

GREGG DAMANTI (Production Manager) has been lucky enough to spend the past 25 years working in theater. He got his start as a production stage manager at Busch Gardens and

later served as production manager for Blue Man Group in New York City. Since joining Crossroads Live in 2018, he’s helped bring shows like On Your Feet! (first national), Cats, Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady (first national), Pretty Woman, Dear Evan Hansen, Kinky Boots and now Elf to the road. All the love to Jen and Ripley—his support system and favorite people to come home to after every tour.

STAFF FOR ELF THE MUSICAL

For Crossroads Live North America

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Kori Prior

GENERAL MANAGER

Andrew Terlizzi

Associate General Manager............................ Emily Miu

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Gregg Damanti

Assistant Production Manager Suzayn MacKenzie-Roy

COMPANY MANAGER

Kathy Crawford-Hawkins

Assistant Company Manager Emily Miu

TOUR MARKETING & PRESS

ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING

Andrew Damer

Jennifer Gallagher Scott Praefke

Jessica Cary Davis Anne Waisanen

Adina Hsu Emily Toppen

Maria Bonucchi Amenkha Sembenu Kate Wyman

TOUR BOOKING DIRECTION BOND THEATRICAL bondtheatrical.com

Temah Higgins Mollie Mann DJ Martin

Marc Viscardi Wendy Roberts

Jenny Bates

BOOKING & OPERATIONS

Mary K. Witte Madison St. Amour Laura Rizzo

Jesse Daniels Kolten Bell Jordan Ivezaj

CASTING

Casting by ARC

Duncan Stewart, CSA, Mark Brandon, CSA

Kyle Coker, Patrick Maravilla, Jarrett Reiche

Devi Peot, Jaron Cole

Ryan Stana, CEO RWS Global

Ryan Saab, EVP RWS Global

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER ........ JESS LEVINE

Assistant Stage Manager

Dance Captain

Kelsey Harlow

Annie Wogisch

Assistant Dance Captain Clark Anton Rulon

Associate Costume Designer ..................... Abigail Hahn

Assistant Costume Designers ..................... Haley Silver, David Hyman, Courtney Irizarry

Costume Design Coordinator.......................Devon Horn

Costume PA .................. Andrew Burns, Lucy Boogaerts

Associate Hair & Wig Designer Liz Printz

Production Carpenter G.E. Simmons Falk

Production Props Matthew Frew

Assistant Production Props Justin Cox

Drafting Nick Murray

Associate Lighting Designer Kirk Fitzgerald

Assistant Lighting Designer Paul Vaillancourt

Moving Light Programmer Jackson Miller

Production Electrician Joel Bulthuis

Assistant Production Electrician ..............Matthew Sallee

Associate Sound Designer ..................... Anthony Cuzzo

Production Audio ......................................... Matt Davis

Production Audio Consultant ....................... Scott Kuker

Production Video ...................................... Joel Bulthuis

Assistant Production Video .....................Matthew Sallee

Projection/Video Programmer Benji Arringo

Ableton & Keyboard Programmer Daniel Pearson

Copyist James Turner

Music Backline Jonas Productions

Tech Backline Randy Cohen

Rehearsal Pianist Michael Ferrara

Skate Coach Chanel Stone

Production Assistant Jess Romanowski

HEAD CARPENTER .......................Shawn Riley-Rau

Assistant Carpenter ............................ Preston Speaker

Flyman ....................................................... Nate Lewis

Head Props............................................... Ryan Brooke

Assistant Props .................................. Brianna Swanson

Head Electrician Chandler Gray

Assistant Electrician—Video Jake Gomez

Assistant Electrician—FOH Jenn Kirchner

Head Audio Jonah Verdon

Assistant Audio Victoria Ramos

Wardrobe Supervisor Cassidy Berglund

Assistant Wardrobe Robyn Gill

Head Hair and Makeup Bridgit Crider

Crew Swing Thomas Clark

Child Manager .......................................... Wilson Jones

Physical Therapy Company ............................Neurotour

Travel/Housing ...................... Road Rebel Entertainment

Payroll Services .............................................. Paychex

Insurance........................... Epic Sports & Entertainment

Social Media Think Tank

Production Photography Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Merchandise Provider Creative Goods

For Temple Live Entertainnment North America

Chief Executive Officer Ingrid Sutej

Chief Operating Office Miguel Esteban

Group Managing Director Suzi Arkley

Marketing Director....................................... Emily Brett

General Manager .... Amanda Murray for Kindred Partners

For more information visit temple-live.com

For Crossroads Live North America

Chief Executive Officer

Angela Rowles

Executive Producer .................................. Jayna Neagle

Executive Producer ....................................... Kori Prior

Vice President of People Operations ...... Charisse Fontes

Vice President of Finance ............................ Brian Jacob

Vice President of Marketing .............. Michael Yuen-Killick

Senior General Manager Andrew Terlizzi

Director of Production

Heather Chockley

Director of Booking and Engagements Tyler Soltis

Production Manager Gregg Damanti

General Manager Christine Adamczyk

General Manager Deana Marie Kirsch

Engagement Manager

Barrett Newman

Associate General Manager Emily Miu

Tour Operations Manager Suzayn MacKenzie-Roy

Assistant Production Manager ................... Drew Neitzey

Production Accounting Manager ................. Sheila Lewis

Production Accountant ..............................Travis Huebel

Staff Accountant .................................... Electra Walker

Tour Project Manager ..................... Wendy Joy Beckwith

Learn more about Crossroads Live North America and its team: xroadslive.com

CREDITS

Scenery by Great Lakes Studios, Cigar Box Studios, PRG, and TTS Studios. Lighting & video equipment from PRG. Sound equipment by Sound Associates. Rigging by Phoenix Lighting and Rigging. Rehearsal Studio: Gibney Studios, NYC. Trucking by Clark Transfer. Touring Company Lobby Signage by Express Signs in Frederick, MD. Tailoring by Taylor Harrison, Kaitlin Turek, Kaileen Langstone, and Kimberley Wilkes. Buddy executed by Eric Winterling, Inc. Select Jovie costumes executed by Arel Studio, Inc. Jovie’s shirt executed by Cego Custom Shirt Maker. Millinery executed by Arnold S. Levine, Inc. North Pole Elves and FP Finale Jackets executed by Bethany Joy Costumes, Inc. NP Elf Legs executed by Randy Carfagno Productions. Mrs Hobbs’ Robe and Finale and Deb Finale executed by Vedette Costumes. Santa executed by Fritz Masten. Select Macy’s Elves and Velvet Leggings by SoHarlem, Inc. Select Macy’s Elves executed by Threaded Pine. MP Finale Costumes executed by Siam Costumes International LTD. Custom Belts executed by Sherry Accessories, inc. Ice-skate blades by Mio Design NYC.

SPECIAL THANKS

Thank you Tom and Kelli for keeping it to a dull roar next door in studio rehearsal. Also, thank you to Luna, our emotional support dog during technical rehearsals.

Rehearsed at Gibney Center

Technical Venue: Clark State Performing Arts Center 300 S Fountain Ave. Springfield, OH 45506

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok: @elfthemusicaltour

The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union.

Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).

United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.

The producers wish to thank the Ohio Department of Development for their support in the creation of this production.

General Manager

Deputy General Manager

Deputy General Manager

Event Operations Coordinator...............................

Director of Marketing - Broadway

Director of Marketing - MCE

Social Media & Marketing Manager

MAJESTIC THEATRE

An ATG Entertainment Venue

Emily Smith

Shannon Phillips

Stacy Dorsey

Hannah Weimer

Emily Walker

Jonathan Miles

Jordan Roberts

Marketing Coordinator ..................................... Isabella Rodriguez

Premium & Group Sales Representative Adriana Gonzales

Creative Learning Director

Director of Ticketing

Box Office Manager .......................................

Box Office Asst. Manager

Alexandra Snell

Paul Stanley Salazar

Amanda Hernandez

Jeffery Hensel

Ops and Ticketing Support Assistant Manager Sean Yruegas

Sr. Box Office Representative

Emily Moreno

Box Office Representatives Sydney Bogard, Travis Bulen, Evelyn Coronado, Lorraine Martinez, Alyssa Pineda, Hannah Rodriguez, Vanessa Wiggins

Director of Sales & Events ............................... Christopher Griffin

Private Event Manager Adriana Martinez

Private Events Strategist

Facility and Property Director

Devon Moreno

Stewart Tiller

Facilities and Property Assistant Manager. ........... Daniel McConnell

Facility & Property Theater Attendants. Hector Urrutia, Jayy Gonzales

Director of Production. Rob Oler

Senior Production Manager Trinity Burton

Production Manager Ian Harrison

Customer Experience Director Trish Neill

Customer Experience Manager Luis Dobbs

Customer Experience Asst. Manager ................. Adrian Hernandez

Director of Food & Beverage Melissa Tamayo

Food & Beverage Manager Michael Pellerin

F&B Supervisor Jonathan Schell

F&B Coordinator....................................... Javier Moreno Almanza

Sr. House Managers Celia Berryman, Kharin Gibson, Alyssa-Erika Gomez, Samantha Gray, Lori Ramirez, Anna Vazquez

House Managers Rene Aguilar, Ameen Al-Bahloly, Lewis Andrews, Jed Dorsey, Charles Hernandez, John Marsalis, Heather Ramos, Grace Rios, Paul N. Salazar, Juliana Sanchez, Ariana Tella, Carson Tonelli, Sel Tope, House Security Leads Rene De Los Santos, Louis DeMarino, Gabriel Gonzales, Heather Pellegrin, Armando Ramirez, David Richardson, Alec Vasquez

ATG ENTERTAINMENT

Group Executive Leadership Team

Chief Executive Officer

Group Content & Creative Director

Ted Stimpson

Michael Lynas

Chief Operating Officer and UK CEO..................................................................................................................................... Nick Potter

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

Chief Product & Technology Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

John Oldcorn

Sofia Fleming

Richard Zubrik

Phil Lloyd

Chief Legal Officer Lisa Butler

CEO Central Europe

Joachim Hilke

CEO North America Lori Hotz

ATG ENTERTAINMENT North America

Lori Hotz, Chief Executive Officer

Kristin Caskey, Chief Content Officer

Erica Schwartz, VP, Theatrical Programming

Bee Carrozzini, Producer, ATG Productions

Jason Miller, SVP, Music, Comedy and Event Programming

Adam Ball, Chief Financial Officer

Mitchell Klein, VP, Ticketing

Stephen Santore, VP, Marketing & Sales

David Neves, VP, Hospitality

Sandra Toste, VP, Property and Operations

Lisa Hauptman, VP, Human Resources

John Rogers, General Counsel

Josh Fuhrer, VP, Business Development

Rainier Koeners, VP, Regional Venues

Sally Shen, Chief of Staff