IVINS — Tuacahn Performing Arts Center transforms for the Christmas Holidays and brings Elf joyfully to the Hafen Theatre stage, directed by Shari Jordan. Although I grew up in Utah, I left in 1995, the year Tuacahn amphitheater first opened and only recently returned. As such, this was my first excursion to the Southern Utah icon, which just celebrated 30 years this past summer. In my foray, I discovered several unexpected things about wintertime at Tuacahn. First, the winter shows, such as Elf, are performed in an indoor theatre at the center, while a living nativity is taking place on the main amphitheater stage. Additionally, as part of Tuacahn’s “Christmas in the Canyon,” there is a lighted train ride around the property, an opportunity to meet Santa, and several food vendors that make the place feel like a holiday destination. That said, as a first timer, I found it somewhat challenging to find my way to the theatre, due to lack of signage and crowds of people, and I found myself directed upstairs with the crowd of festival goers and made my way in what felt like the back door of the theatre. With that being said, as I later read Jordan’s director’s note, I was reminded to take things slower during the holidays, and spend time with loved ones. Tuacahn’s festival like atmosphere offers a perfect venue to do just that.
Once I found the theatre and entered, I was greeted by cheery holiday music and a brightly lit stage. The set design by Paul Black features several false prosceniums of decreasing size, all covered in LED screens displaying blue and white snowflakes. Black’s set, and video design on the screens by Brad Peterson—more on that in a moment—together with the music creates a festive atmosphere, culminating later in the production with snow falling onto the audience in the theatre. The Tuacahn Performing Arts Complex is large and exceptionally beautiful outside. However, the Hafen Theatre is a bit underwhelming for one of the few professional theaters in the state. It is not a particularly large space, which is positive in that it creates a more intimate experience for the audience, and although not visible, there is a live orchestra somewhere, (as evidenced by a video feed visible from the main floor if you turn around and look up), which is always a nice addition to a musical production. However, as a larger person, I unfortunately found the seating in the Hafen theatre particularly narrow and uncomfortable. That aside, as the show progressed, I was able to mostly forget about the discomfort and enjoy the show.
The show opens with Santa in a gorgeous textured red velvet suit with gold accents. The costuming throughout, leased from the Ongunquit Playhouse in Maine, and coordinated by Sara Brookes is appropriately fun. It was enjoyable to see local children incorporated as some of Santa’s helpers in the youth ensemble. In the first number, “Happy All the Time,” Jordan and Choreographer Bill Burns, have the cadre of elves dancing on their knees with curly shoes attached, a funny bit which serves to emphasize by contrast, just how much shorter they are than their human counterpart, Buddy (played by Danny Lindgren, who is particularly tall anyway).
At first, I didn’t love Lindgren’s portrayal of Buddy. His initial character comes across as a more naively unaware, than absurdly over-the-top happy and excited Buddy. The lyrics of the first song state that Buddy makes the rest of the ridiculously happy elves look apathetic because he’s so over the top gregarious. Nailing this hyperbole is crucial to the heightened energy necessary early in the show and I found the first half drags a bit because of it. Nonetheless, this slow start is rectified fairly well as it approaches intermission, and the second half seems to pick up both in energy and Buddy’s larger-than-life character. Lindgren’s Buddy really began to grow on me, starting at about the moment when Buddy magically plays the “Carol of the Bells” on two handbells for Jovie, played by Wesley Carpenter, and by the end of the show, I found him quite endearing.
Carpenter has a strong and lovely voice, and solid acting ability to match. I found her Jovie to be likeable, with just the right touch of understated sullenness. Other standouts in the large ensemble cast are John Ahlin as a loveable, wise Santa, Eric B. Anthony’s comic timing as the Manager and various other roles, and T. Shyvonne Stewart as a powerhouse Deb. Additionally, Randal Keith’s Mr. Greenway is delightfully despicable and James Everts’s imposter Santa is charmingly grouchy.
The production’s choreography by Burns is consistently strong throughout. From large company tap numbers like “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” and the finale, to the brawny “Nobody Cares About Santa,” the dancing is a highlight of the show.
Peterson’s videos displayed on the LED screen-lined prosceniums and back wall, took some getting used to. At first, they seemed a way to avoid building complex sets, especially at the top of the show with the display of credits and the rather lackluster set of videos that take Buddy from the North Pole to New York. But then, as the show progressed, and my stomach lurched as we flew to the top of the Empire State Building, I began to see the vision. The lovely lighted tree display at the Tavern On The Green highlights the use of slightly impressionistic style of art in the video displays. Then, as Santa’s sleigh garnered sufficient Christmas Spirit to power it again into the sky, I wondered how they would tackle this flight, when suddenly the video displays launched us magnificently up and up, over the city and into the night sky with Santa, blasting the audience through the sky with a roller-coaster feel. These moments made the use of the video screens feel cohesive and intentional in a way that brings the show together, taking the audience along for the ride.
The weather in Southern Utah in the winter is particularly pleasant and I appreciate how Tuacahn has expanded what could have just been a dormant season of a summer repertory theatre venue into an enjoyable holiday experience. Appropriate for all ages, Elf at Tuacahn is a delightful part of the Christmas in the Canyon experience at Tuacahn.
