OGDEN — I adore Christmas movies and have watched Elf every year since it came out in 2003 and could probably quote the whole movie. Elf the Musical is becoming a modern holiday staple due to the adaptation’s catchy score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. For those who’ve been hibernating inside a leftover fruitcake since 2003, the show follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who travels to New York City in search of his father and his true identity. It’s a peppermint explosion of all things Christmasy, but at its core, it is a story about the importance of family in all its many forms. The Ziegfeld Theater’s production directed by Kyle Esposito has warmth and charm, feeling familiar yet delightfully fresh.
From the moment theatergoers enter, it’s clear this production has put thought into every detail. Before beginning, the scene feels set as a projection of a glowing fireplace crackles across the pages of a massive open book. Stockings hang warmly over the mantle, and Christmas music gently fills the room as you find your seat and wait for the show to start. It’s the perfect prelude for Santa (Byron Garritson) to enter the stage, upend your expectations, and start the laughter which sets the production’s tone.
At the heart of Elf is Buddy, played by Colton James Kraus, whose performance shines with energy, sincerity, and comedic warmth. Kraus’ expressive face, big brown eyes, and natural physicality sell the childlike innocence essential to Buddy’s character. He makes the character his own while dancing with enthusiasm and precision, and brings just the right amount of goofiness without ever feeling derivative of Will Ferrell. Kraus is solid vocally and serves the score well, but it’s his genuine acting choices making his Buddy interesting to watch.
All of the principal actors in this production are really solid, especially Jovie, played by Elle Denlea. Denlea’s vocal performance is rich and compelling, and she handles Jovie’s subtle transformation from guarded to open with finesse. Her scenes with Buddy feel honest and grounded, and Jovie’s big number, “Never Fall in Love (With an Elf),” is a musical highlight of the show.
As Walter Hobbs, Matt Hewitt strikes the perfect balance between a grumpy, overworked New Yorker businessman and a regular guy who is simply trying to keep up with life’s demands. Hewitt’s voice is excellent, and he makes Hobbs’ emotional arc feel believable while building a relationship with a son who is his polar opposite. Hewitt’s chemistry with Hobbs’ wife, Emily (Rylee Harris), is sweet and authentic even as Emily seems very excited to see Walter squirm.
Harris gives a strong performance, especially vocally, and her relationship with young Michael, played impressively by Macklin Tobin, is wonderful to watch. Tobin has a surprising vocal presence for his age, and his scenes with both Buddy and his parents provide emotional grounding and charm.
The ensemble overall is strong, energetic, and well-balanced as they fill in the world around Buddy. One of the most delightful ensemble performances comes from Sammy Dorfman as the Manager. Despite her petite stature, Dorfman commands the stage with tremendous presence. Dorfman’s comedic timing is sharp, and her vocal performance adds sparkle. The ensemble numbers “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” and “Nobody Cares About Santa,” are both shining examples of what people love about musical theatre. The only moment that didn’t land was the brief joke involving the New York Jewish/Yiddish-accented Santa; the actor didn’t seem familiar with the sound of the accent, and as a result, the punchline didn’t read. Still, this tiny hiccup was barely noticeable as it kicked right into the big, shiny ensemble number audiences love. Paige Andreasen’s choreography is energetic, finding a sweet spot between showmanship and narrative clarity. The ensemble work is sharp and unified, and the movement always enhances the story.
The production’s design is incredibly smart and cohesive under director Kyle Esposito. The projection work by Troy Martell was lovely. The primary physical set is a massive open book spanning the back wall, symbolizing both the storybook quality of Elf and the act of Santa “writing” the tale. Inside the story, every location appears in a whimsical Rankin/Bass–inspired claymation style. This honors the movie’s own homage to classic Christmas specials and adds a layer of visual charm elevating the production. It’s an incredibly effective design choice making the stage feel larger and gives the entire show a unified artistic tone.
Costume designer Maria Menlove’s designs are whimsical and clearly draw inspiration from the movie, but add subtle twists bringing freshness and character. The North Pole elves, played by a cast of young performers, are all in hefty pieces with matte fabrics in a broader palette giving age and elvish culture to the small actors. In contrast, the human department store elves, played by adult ensemble members, all wear a distinctly different visual style in saturated red with green accents. This design clearly delineates the magical North Pole from the commercialized chaos of New York retail. One particularly thoughtful touch was Jovie’s costume: her Macy’s elf attire uses green as its primary color, while the other store elves wear mostly red. This creates a simple but effective visual pairing with Buddy. Menlove also makes each Santa unique, which not only adds humor but helps distinguish their personalities.
Director Kyle Esposito has crafted a show that feels warm, cohesive, and full of heart. Esposito’s vision marries nostalgia with creativity, allowing beloved scenes to feel familiar while also incorporating enough originality to surprise and delight audiences. Though the sound mix at the top of the show could have brought the actor’s vocals further forward, the issue never fully impeded comprehension.
Ziegfeld Theater’s Elf the Musical is a lovely, family-friendly production capturing the magic, humor, and heart of the original story while boasting its own artistic identity. If you’re searching for a family show to help ignite the Christmas spirit and bring some “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” to your Christmas season, this production delivers.
