Elf the Musical

Winter 2024/ CenterStage @ Frisco Discovery Center

Reviews and Feedback

  • "Elf showcases large-scale production numbers with lively choreography led by Kyra Jacobs and supported by Noelle Saul. Director Taylor possesses a keen ability to craft vivid stage imagery, and her pacing skillfully accentuates the musical's comedic and poignant elements. It's also clear that Taylor is skilled in casting. The cast is so large and brimming with talent that it could populate three or more musicals. At the performance I attended, Joey O’Reilly, who has done splendid work here as the music director, stepped into the role of Walter Hobbs with extremely short notice. He deserves significant praise, as he seemed completely at ease and portrayed the troubled father with remarkable fluidity. One would never suspect he had mastered the role in such a brief time. Katie Purdin, portraying Walter's dedicated and supportive wife Emily, truly sparkles, and her duet "I Believe in Santa Claus" with the Hobbs' son Michael is a highlight. Michael, played by the talented 12-year-old Kambryn Ransom, performs with the skill and confidence of a seasoned professional.."

    Doug Sturdivant
    DFW Center Stage
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  • "At CenterStage Theatre Works, actor Thomas Schnaible doesn’t just play Buddy the Elf, he is Buddy the Elf. This is one of those occasions when a role and an actor are just meant for each other. Schnaible is perfectly cast and brings incredible energy to the part of this fish-out-of-water human. His amazing physical comedy skills are on full display as he darts and bounces around the stage, yet he keeps his performance from being cloying or annoying, and handles the more serious moments with true honesty. In addition to his brilliant, multi-layered acting, he has a soaring tenor voice that suits Buddy beautifully, and he’s a solid dancer. As Buddy’s love interest Jovie, Lauren Rodriguez has reallly great facial expressions. Her overall performance is somewhat subdued, especially compared with Schnaible’s high energy—but of course, it’s hard to compete with an Elf who’s found his groove!."

    Carol Rice
    OnStage North Texas
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  • "There’s a meme going around about generational Christmas movies, and apparently I am of the Elf generation – except I’ve never actually seen the movie. Or watched a trailer for the movie. So I’m not a person who can tell you how similar or not the musical is to the movie featuring Will Ferrell as the titular Elf – but I can tell you this musical is FUN. Frisco Discovery Center’s black box theater provides a cozy home to Katie Purdin’s multilevel set, which centers a grand and cleverly constructed Christmas tree to immediately set the tone. Allison Kingwell and Ellie Nunemaker’s elf costumes are an absolute treat, bold and cheery without restricting Kyra Jacobs’ choreography. As Santa and Ms. Claus, Alidor Lefere and Vivian Reed establish the narrative framework with bright humor. Thomas Schnaible very successfully carries the plot by infusing his Buddy with sincerity and joy - this is not a Will Ferrell tribute show. ."

    Jenny Wood
    Dallas Theatre Journal
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the cast

Buddy the Elf: Thomas Schnaible / Jovie: Lauren Rodriguez / Santa Claus: Alidor Lefere / Ms Claus: Vivian Reed / Walter Hobbs: Eric Levy / Emily Hobbs: Katie Purdin / Michael Hobbs: Kambryn Ransom and Zoey Burden / Deb: Micaela Workman / Greenway/Fake Santa: Brent Burden / Macy’s Store Manager: Brandon Carnes / Chadwick: Patrick Mealey / Matthews/Featured Dancer/ Manager Swing: Anna Kharisma Fontenot / Tiara/Sam/Featured Dancer: Reagan Wren / Charlie/Buddy Swing: Jacob Eiseman / Jovie Swing/Featured Dancer: Noelle Saul / Emily Swing/Featured Dancer: Grace Philipbar / Charlotte/Ensemble: Melissa Hatch / Jim/Soloist/Chadwick Swing/ Ensemble: Mason Buehner / Waitress/Mom: Ellie Nunemaker

Creative Team & Crew
Director: Charlotte Taylor / Assistant Director: Ellie Nunemaker / Music Director: Joey O’Reilly / Choreographer: Kyra Jacobs / Assistant Choreographer: Noelle Saul / Dance Captains: Anna Kharisma Fontenot, Reagan Wren / Fight Choreographer: Anna Kharisma Fontenot / Stage Manager: Ellie Nunemaker / Assistant Stage Manager: Noel Nieczyporowicz / Lighting Designer/Ops: Caleb Ross / Costumer: Alison Kingwell, Ellie Nunemaker / Sound Ops: Grace Everett / Sound Design: Charlotte Taylor / Scenic Design: Katie Purdin / Scenic Construction: Joseph Adams, Katie Purdin, Ian Taylor / Producers: Becky Buehner, Laurel Merritt