PRESS RELEASE: 6th Street Playhouse Presents Elf – The Musical

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2023
Contact: Kira Catanzaro, Marcom Manager
707-888-5591
kira@6thstreetplayhouse.com

6th Street Playhouse to Feature SPARKLEJOLLYTWINKLEJINGLY!
Elf – the Musical Opens November 24, 2023

SANTA ROSA, CA (Oct. 30, 2023) – Elf – the Musical is a box-office-record-breaker that combines vintage comic style and high-energy contemporary music to deliver jolly holiday entertainment for the whole family! Based on the 2003 New Line Cinema film by David Berenbaum and starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, it features songs by Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway) and a book by Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). Elf is directed by Aja Gianola Norris, with music direction by Ginger Beavers and choreography by Rachel Wynne. Elf ­– The Musical opens Friday, November 24 in the G.K. Hardt Theater.

One Christmas Eve, a young orphan crawls into Santa’s bag of toys and is unknowingly transported to the North Pole. Buddy the Elf grows up unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities make him face the truth. With Santa’s blessing, Buddy travels to New York City to discover his true identity and find his birth father. Upon learning that his father is on the naughty list, and that his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy becomes determined to win over his family and help New York rediscover its Christmas spirit.

Those looking for something to get into the holiday spirit need look no further than 6th Street Playhouse to feel sparklejollytwinklejingly!

Lifetime Sonoma County performer, David Bradbury, (Little Shop of Horrors, the Producers) stars as everyone’s favorite elf, Buddy. Bradbury brings Buddy’s childlike wonder and cheer to the roll and his enthusiasm both on and off-stage is infectious. As seen on 6th Street Playhouse’s Facebook/Instagram pages, Buddy is getting into all sorts of shenanigans around the theater.

Kaela Mariano (A Little Night Music & Hello, Dolly!) plays Jovie, Buddy’s favorite co-worker at Macy’s. She will next be seen in She Loves Me at 6th Street Playhouse.

Keene Hudson (Smart People, Little Shop of Horrors) returns to 6th Street as Buddy’s reluctant father, Walter Hobbs.

This is Gianola-Norris’s third year directing at 6th Street Playhouse. She directed Hair in 2021 and Little Shop of Horrors in 2022.

“I’m happy to be able to direct this whimsical show and share its messages with Sonoma County and beyond,” said Gianola-Norris. “I think we could alll use more of Buddy’s perspective to spread positivity and happiness year-round.”

Set, projection and lighting designs are by Carrie Mullen (Something Rotten, Always, Patsy Cline, Scrooge in Love.) The costume designer is Barbara Bremer (Lion In Winter) for this costume-heavy show. 6th Street’s expert staff technicians include: technical director, Martin Gilbertson; assistant technical director, Rick Baker; sound designer, Ben Roots; costume shop director Mae-Heagerty-Matos; and props designer, Ben Harper.

“Elf The Musical is happy enough for families, savvy enough for city kids, and plenty smart for adults!” – Variety

The Cast of Elf – the Musical is as follows:

Maggie Belle
Grace Warden
Ella Park
Christine Thorne
Penny Leonhardt
William Young
Diego Rodriguez
Karen Clancy
Isla Wolf
Fredrick Frey
Lynnea Mackey
Nichole Frey

Dates/Times:
Opening Night: Friday, November 24, 2023 at 7:30 pm, Champagne reception to celebrate the show with friends, the cast and artistic team.

Runs Thursdays – Sundays (see website for details)

Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes plus a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets cost $19 – $51 and are available online at 6thStreetPlayhouse.com or by calling the Box Office at (707) 523-4185.

More information & Tickets