"Buddy the Elf, What's Your Favorite Color?"

October 14, 2010

As the holiday season approaches, what better way to get into the spirit than with Buddy the Elf? But you don’t have to watch the beloved film for the thousandth time to get your dose of Buddy and company—Elf is now a Broadway show! The stage version of the movie, which quickly

became a Christmas classic, will include large-scale musical numbers and lots of dancing. DS chatted with choreographer Casey Nicholaw to get the scoop on Buddy’s moves.

 


Dance Spirit
: How is the musical different from the film?

CN:
The show expands on the film’s story through music. You’ll get to learn so much more about the characters because they can sing their feelings. The added elements lift the whole production to a theatrical level.


DS
:
Most people hear Elf and think of Will Ferrell. What is the show like without him as the main man?

CN:
It’s different, of course. But there’s a whole new energy with this show and we needed a main character who was a singer. Plus we’d be dumb if we tried to just copy Will Ferrell because he’s such a genius!


DS
: What is the dancing like in the show?

CN:
The choreography is pretty basic and not too technical, but with the elves, Santas and everyone on stage together it’s so fun. My favorite scene is when they transform the department store Christmas display into Buddy’s version of the North Pole. It’s a huge dance number.


DS
: Why should DS readers go see Elf on Broadway?

CN:
It will put you in the best holiday mood! We did a workshop of the show last year and people said all they wanted to do afterward was go Christmas shopping. I hope the show is a big hit that people will want to see every year with their friends and family.

Can’t make it to the Great White Way this season? Go to amazon.com to get your copy of Elf on DVD or Blu-ray!