Summary & Characters

Rating: This production is rated PG. ELF – The Musical is a family show, and if you like

big Broadway musicals with hummable songs, lots of jokes, and great dancing, you will love ELF.

PG

For a more detailed synopsis, see pages 3 & 4of this content guide.

ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of William “Buddy” Hobbs, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Buddy is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until years later when his enormous size and poor toy-making abil-ities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. He finds his father, but father and discover his true identity. He finds his father, but Walter Hobbs doesn't believe in the spirit of Christmas, nor do many other New Yorkers which is problematic because Santa's sleigh is powered by the people's belief in Christmas. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.remember the true meaning of Christmas.

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PART I: PRODUCTION CONTENT GUIDE

Adult Language/Name-calling: There is a little, very mild adult language, including:• Buddy calls himself a “Cotton-Headed-Ninny-Mug gins.” • There is a reference to a children’s book as “Jingles the Friggin’ pony.” •• Deb abandons her diet, declaring, “Screw you, Jenny Craig!” • Jovie offers Buddy a deal: “You try to be less elf-y, I’ll try to be less bitchy.” Buddy replies, “Less bitchy.” • Buddy refers to his dad, Walter, as a “jerk.” • Mr. Greenway tells Buddy and Michael to “take your smart ass remarks and get the hell out of here!”•• There are a few “hells” and variations of “damn” and “Oh, my God.”

Violence: • The fake Santa at Macy’s lunges at Buddy and starts a fight after Buddy calls him out as a fake.

Drugs/Alcohol: • There are references to drinking eggnog. • Deb references alcohol when she sings “a perfect duo like rum cake and rum” and “a perfect duo like vodka and me” to which the employees reply “she likes her vodka like me!” •• Deb offers Mr. Greenway a hot buttered rum.

Sexual References: • The store manager suggests that Buddy take Jovie on a date then “have a few drinks, take her home, into the bedroom…” which Buddy receives innocently. •• The statement is made that Buddy was the result of his dad’s “secret love affair” while he was in college. • Buddy sings, “We did a special kind of hug I’d never heard about before and when it was over I was singing and now we’ve got a kid…”

Act II The Santa from the beginning of the play hurries back from intermission to again take-up the tale of Buddy, the Elf. Back at the apartment Buddy leaves an apology and goodbye letter for Walter, Emily, and Michael. Then he wanders New York until he ends up at a Chinese restaurant with several other "Santas" and "Elves" on Christmas Eve. They complain about the state of Christmas and children these days. When they leave to return home to their families, Buddy remembers that he was supposed to go on another date with Jovie. Elsewhere, Jovie stands in front of the Tavern on the Green, upset and waiting for Buddy as she has been there for two hours. Buddy arrives, apologizes, and gives Jovie the snow-globe Santa gave him when he left the North Pole. Still upset, Jovie leaves. When Emily and Michael find Buddy's note, they are deeply saddened. Emily tells Michael that though she loves him, Buddy is crazy for believing in Santa at thirty years old. Just then Santa's sleigh flies through the sky and makes a renewed believer out of both of them. They rush to Walter's office to tell him and find him in a desperate plea to come up with an idea for a new children's book before his boss arrives to hear the pitch. Greenway, Walter's boss, arrives and as Walter begins his awful pitch, Buddy comes in. As a present to Walter, Buddy gives Greenway the story of Buddy, the Elf. Greenway loves it, but he wants to change it to a Horse instead of an Elf, and he wants Walter to work with him on it all but he wants to change it to a Horse instead of an Elf, and he wants Walter to work with him on it all night and the next day, Christmas. Walter quits, having finally decided to spend time with his family, and Greenway storms out. When Michael tells Buddy they saw Santa's sleigh land, Buddy realizes the sleigh has run out of the Christmas spirit that allows it to run. They run to help and find Santa sitting glumly beside his sled. Nearby Buddy spots a camera news crew. He grabs the microphone and begs all of New York to believe, sing, and spread Christmas spirit so Santa can fly again. Jovie arrives, convinced, as other random New Yorkers join the movement, and Santa's sleigh again takes flight. Santa invites Buddy to return to the North Pole with him, but Buddy decides to stay, finally feeling like he belongs. We now transition back to the Santa that began both acts as he closes the storybook, and Mrs. Claus goes to answer the knock at the door. Michael, Emily, Walter, Buddy, Jovie, and their new baby, Buddy Hobbs all enter Santa’s home to celebrate Christmas as they now do every year.

Illustration by Marlie Henry

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Continued

PART II: EDUCATORS’ GUIDE

Differences from the film• The story is narrated by Santa Claus rather than Papa Elf. • The musical contains original songs not found in the film.• In the musical, Michael and Emily meet Buddy at the same time as Walter; in the film, they are not at Walter’s office when he meets Buddy for the first time. •• Buddy's real name is revealed to be William early in the film, while his real name is not revealed in the musical until after Buddy meets Walter, Emily, and Michael. • The musical adds a subplot about Michael's disbelief in Santa.• In the musical, Buddy works at Macy’s; in the film, he works at Gimbel’s. • In the film Emily and Michael, do not see Santa fly by their window; in the musical they do.• In the musical, Walter, Emily and Michael go with Buddy to help Santa with the crashed sleigh.• Instead of reading out of Santa’s book, like in the movie, Buddy reads off of Santa’s iPad in the musical.

Story Behind the Story• Elf is a musical based on the motion picture of the same name, with a score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. The book is adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan from the 2003 film. The musical ran on Broadway in the Holiday season of 2010 and 2012, as well as a tour in the U.S. for the 2012 holiday season.• ELF was back on Broadway from November 9, 2012 to January 6, 2013.• Three time Tony-nominated • Director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw is the director and choreographer of ELF.•• ELF played its final Broadway performance on January 6, 2013.• Reception: Mark Kennedy called the production "a tight, polished, expensive-looking affair that has enough jokes . for adults and enough special effects for kids." • The musical broke records at the Hirschfeld box office three times, grossing over a million dollars in one week, and being the third best-grossing show in the 2010 Thanksgiving weekend, behind Wicked and The Lion King.

Elf Trivia• According to some reports, when the movie was first discussed back in 1993, Jim Carrey was going to play the lead.• Gimbel’s Department Store was a real department store and competitor of Macy’s until it closed in 1987. It was also featured in Miracle on 34th Street. The Gimbel’s exterior in the movie is actually the 34th Street Macy’s in Manhattan with a bit of digital alteration. digital alteration.• Ming Ming the elf from the beginning of the movie is Peter Billingsley, the actor who played Ralphie in A Christmas Story.

TimeOut’s Top 20 Christmas Films for the Family1) It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)2) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)3) Rankin/Bass Animagic Christmas Specials: Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970), and The Year Without Santa Claus (1974)4) A Christmas Carol (1951)5)5) Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)6) The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)7) Miracle on 34th Street (1947)8) A Christmas Story (1983)9) Frosty the Snowman (1969)10) Elf (2003)11) Holiday Inn (1942)12)12) White Christmas (1954)13) Home Alone (1990)14) Millions (2004)15) Gremlins (1984)16) The Polar Express (2004)17) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)18) Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)19)19) Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)20) Jingle All the Way (1996)

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Make Yourself an ElfYou can make yourself an elf and send an “Elf You” e-cards to your friends and family!

Check it out here: http://www.elfmusical.com/about.php

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EnglishGrade 6: 110.18 (14,, 17,19, 22, 23, 25)Grade 7: 110:19 (14, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25)Grade 8: 110:20 (14, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25)

Grade 9: 110:31 (13, 20-23, 25)Grade 10: 110:32 (13, 20-23, 25)

Grade 11: 110:33 (13, 15, 20-23, 25)Grade 11: 110:33 (13, 15, 20-23, 25)Grade 12: 110:34 (13, 15, 20-23, 25)

Social StudiesGrade 6: 113:18 (3,4)

MusicGrade 6: 117:33 (2)Grade 7: 117:36 (2)

TheatreGrade 6: 117:34 (5)Grade 7: 117:37 (5)Grade 8: 117:40 (5)Grade 9: 117:67 (5)

Grade 10: 117:63 (5)Grade 11: 117:63 (5)Grade 11: 117:63 (5)Grade 12: 117:63 (5)

Elf (film)Elf-The Musical:

www.elfmusical.com/TimeOut:

http://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/things-to-do/the-20-best-christmas-movies-to-watch-with-the-family

1. Christmas is a time full of traditions and folklore, some of which originated thousands of years ago. Santa’s elves are a huge part of the Christmas tradition. Research the history of Christmas elves and write a paper on your findings. Consider when and where the tradition of elves originated, how elves became included in Christmas folklore, and how elves are portrayed today in our current culture. 2.2. Watch Elf the film and compare the musical with the film. In which ways are they similar? In which ways do they differ? Why do you think the musical doesn’t exactly follow the film and how do you think the story translates on the stage?3. Buddy is notorious for creating songs and singing them on the spot. Write your own Christmas song and teach it to your class and family.4. The 2003 film Elf became an instant cultural Christmas movie classic and is currently on several “Top Christmas Movie” lists. What makes a Christmas movie reach “classic” status and why do you think Elf has fallen into that category?5. Several other classic Christmas films, such as White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life, have become stage musicals. Choose a classic film that has been adapted into a stage musical and compare and contrast the two. Do you think the classic you have chosen translates well onto the stage? Why or why not? 6.6. Elf-The Musical pays tribute to other classic Christmas stories and films? Can you identify and name any of them? 7. Buddy traveled far and wide to reach New York City from the North Pole. Create your own map outlining Buddy’s journey.

Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed non-profit musical theatre company. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national, and world premieres. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS’ Education provides barrier-free instruction and stage experience, through the Humphrey’s School of Musical Theatre and The River, programming individuals with disabilities. TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston’s high school theatre programs. TUTS is now

housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Glance toward the sky before you enjoy a performance at the Hobby Center; the fiber-optic ceiling keeps TUTS “under the stars” all year long. In 2013, TUTS expanded its programming to include a new series of contemporary shows to meet the desires of a modern audience known as TUTS Underground. The performances will take place in Zilkha Hall, the intimate 500-seat theatre located in the Hobby Center, and immerse Houston audiences in a musical theatre experiences that are atmospheric and reasonably priced.

THEATRE ETIQUETTE

Save snacks for intermission.

Turn your cell phones and electronics

Arrive about 30 minutes before the show starts.

Applaud at the end of songs and

scenes. Otherwise,

about tuts

Live theatre is a unique experience that engages the audience much more than movies or TV. Musical theatre is the only genre of performance that fully utilizes acting, singing and dancing together to further the development of the plot.

Musical theatre’s roots can be traced back to ancient times, where

the Greeks used music and dance in their tragedies and comedies. Next, fast forward to the 1700s where comedic

operas were popular in Europe. In 1866, the first “musical” by modern definition, The Black Crook, opened in New

York City. In the 1920s, Florenz Ziegfeld’s famous Follies showcased star actors and actresses with extravagant sets and

costumes but was mainly a musical revue of popular songs.

The end of the 1960s saw changes in Broadway, like HAIR, one of

the first rock musicals. Unusual concept musicals such as Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban’s

A Chorus Line and Sondheim’s cynical Company led to big-budget musical operettas

like Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s international hit Les Miserables and Andrew Lloyd

Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Well known movie and literature favorites like Disney’s Beauty and the

Beast (which premiered at TUTS in 1994) and Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked have been adapted into family-friendly,

special effect spectaculars. At the same time, in reaction to the rising ticket cost and flashy spectacle of Broadway, shows like Jonathan Larson’s RENT aim for a less

polished, more personal theatre experience. TUTS was a part of the production enhancement team that moved

RENT from off-Broadway to Broadway, and continues to benefit from that association, presenting the original

Broadway and film leads in a special engagement in 2009.

Innovative new musicals like the rowdy production of Matilda and the fresh take on Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella have been attracting and pleasing younger audiences. The revival of the beloved classic Annie is currently starring a Theatre Under The Stars alum, Sadie Sink, in the title role and successfully creating a new generation of musical theatre lovers. Broadway audiences have also fallen head over “heels” for the Tony Award winning Kinky Boots, the story of a struggling shoemaker and his unexpected new business partner. Between movie and book adaptations, revivals of past favorites and contemporary boundary-breakers, there’s no doubt the Broadway musical is here to stay.

ORIGINS & FOLLIES

EARLY YEARS & THE GOLDEN AGE

CONTEMPORARY & MEGA-MUSICALS

WHERE ARE WE TODAY?

In 1927, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s Show Boat premiered, which featured complete integration of book, music and score to tell a story. During “The Golden Age of Broadway,” famous composers and lyricists churned out hits, like George & Ira Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (1935), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (1943), Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun (1947), Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story (1957), and Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate (1948).

about musical theatre A Brief History

about musical theatre Putting on a Show

Whether you’re a stage manager, actress, director, costume designer or composer, when it comes to putting on a musical, all roles are important. Here’s a roadmap for getting a musical to Broadway.

Producers must find a show that their audience will enjoy and will want to purchase tickets to. They also need to plan the budget for the production. Producers rent a theatre and pay royalties to the composer, lyricist and writer of the musical’s book for the rights to perform the show. One resource for discovering new musicals and connecting with the world of musical theatre is the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), which was founded by TUTS’ Frank Young in 1985. Please visit NAMT.org for more information.

The creative team includes the director, set designer, costume designer, choreographer and music director/conductor. Together with the producers, they discuss their vision for the show and how they will bring it to life on the stage. The director and choreographer will hold auditions for the

parts in the show. For most Broadway shows and tours, actors must be a part of the Actors Equity association and have an appointment, but sometimes an open call will be held. After the cast has been chosen, rehearsals begin. Actors must memorize their lines, songs and choreography before dress rehearsals and the show’s opening. For information about auditioning for shows at TUTS, please visit TUTS.com.

If the show looks good after previews, it will open. Most Broadway shows perform several times a week at night and usually have a few matinees as well. Some shows have a specific closing date; other shows will continue performing as long as people are buying tickets.

GATHERING THE CREATIVE TEAM

CASTING AND REHEARSAL

PERFORMING FOR AN AUDIENCE

•FINDING THE PERFECT MUSICAL

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Choreographer – the person who creates the dances and movement patterns for the show

Stage Manager – the person who manages and takes care of the stage, sets and all special effects; directs the stage hands

Stage Hands – technicians and trained individuals who work side stage and back stage before, during and after the show to make all special effects, scene changes and clean-ups happen.

Prop Master – the person in charge of getting, storing, maintaining and sometimes creating the props used in the show.

VOCABULARY Audition: a tryout for performers.

Open call: a casting open to anyone without appointment

Dress rehearsals: rehearsing in full costume and full tech as though there is an audience.

Previews: performances before the show opens for a limited audience to test public opinion.

Matinee: an afternoon or early evening show.