If there’s any musical to get you into the Christmas spirit, it is Elf. The musical based on the beloved 2003 film of the same name first was adapted for Broadway in 2010. The Gateway’s holiday production can be seen through Dec. 29 at The Patchogue Theatre.
Patrick Massey takes on the role of Buddy made famous by Will Ferrell.
“Elf is a story about a grown man who was accidentally brought up in the North Pole and thinks he’s an elf,” Massey said. “The contemporary take speaks to adults today. It’s funny, it’s touching, it’s oddly real even though it’s not.”
Jennifer Fogarty plays Jovie, originally played in the film by Zooey Deschanel.
“She ends up agreeing to go out on a date with Buddy, and that date ends up being pretty magical,” Fogarty said. “Buddy ends up renewing her Christmas spirit.”
Joe Gately steps into the shoes of James Caan, who played Walter Hobbs.
“Apparently, my college sweetheart and I had a baby,” Gately explained about his character. “Here’s a 30-year-old, 6-foot 2 man dressed in an elf costume that goes ‘dad!”
He added, “It’s fun to be the straight man. I set up some very specific physical comedy and also with my wife there are some moments where she gets the better of me.”
Annie Edgerton plays Emily Hobbs, who was first portrayed by Mary Steenbergen.
“The world we live in right now as families are getting really pulled apart so the story of bringing us back together is very important and it’s great to be part of telling that,” Edgerton said.
Mychal Phillips plays Deb, originally played by Amy sedaris in the film.
“A lot of us grew up watching this movie. It’s definitely a show where when people come in knowing the movie and loving the movie, they will get what they want,” Phillips said. “All the special moments in the movie are represented on stage, and then it’s even more than that because the musical numbers are just out of this world.”
Elf the musical has performances on Dec. 26, 27, 28 and 29 before it closes. For tickets, visit www.patchoguetheatre.org or thegateway.org.
—Reporting by Waldo Cabrera and Max Cabrera
