“One of the main themes of 'Elf' is the importance of bringing the Christmas spirit back to a downtrodden, overworked and gloomy population of Americans that we call typical New Yorkers. Well, it does as exactly what it says on the tin, as they say...The upside - and this really knocked my bell-jingling socks off – is the enormous sound system that amplifies the live 16-piece orchestra...Hearing a Broadway score played out so richly at those increased volumes was quite spectacular.”
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"'Elf the Musical' is your answer to reveling and rediscovering the Christmas spirit for you and your loved ones...Original songs will fill you with the Christmas spirit and have you humming the songs long after the show is over...Gratton's portrayal of the lovable elf captures an innocence and goofiness that is endearing, with the supporting cast rising to the occasion as well...New and old fans of the classic holiday story will enjoy this musical adaptation."
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"'Elf' seemed a little lost onstage, its sets flimsy, its good cheer not quite infectious. In Eric Petersen, it can claim a particularly spirited and winning Buddy…There is generally fine work from everyone else, even the elf chorus, whose members must perform several numbers on their knees...The children in the audience seemed most delighted by a number that climaxed in confetti cannonry."
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"Director Sam Scalamoni’s production, with a lot of flat scenery by Christine Peters, is visually chintzy in its renderings of North Pole workshops and Manhattan skylines. It’s hard to describe the performances when the enterprise is so cartoonish; the actors all seem capable, yet they rarely get an opportunity to display much personal appeal...The show might not want to be anything more than a big silly toy, but it doesn’t spin. It’s wound too tight."
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"'Elf' is not reinventing the form of the Broadway musical, nor does it have the earthy charm of 'A Christmas Story'...This is not a show that will return you and your brood to a purer holiday era...But if you're looking for a big, glitzy, feel-good downtown show that is a good time, requires no cognitive investment whatsoever, has quite a few decent tunes and comes replete with broad appeal for everyone from 6-year-olds to seniors, 'Elf' likely will exceed your expectations too."
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"The book culls the best lines from the movie while also smartly managing to distinguish it as its own entity...The actors have the unenviable task of playing to the massive venue, which, in both look and feel, registers as more of an airplane hanger than the ideal spot for mounting musicals. Yet they do it with assurance, delivering unique and charming performances that, like the material itself, aren't carbon copies of their screen predecessors."
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"The creative talents behind the show have got some serious musical theatre chops...Their upbeat, oddball and tuneful concoction has a contemporary attitude that's light on the seasonal sentiment, but heavy on the showbiz fun...This production would be better suited for a smaller venue in a city where there's less competition from slicker holiday entertainments."
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"It's bright, it's tinkly, it has snow, it has a curmudgeon who gets his heart warmed, it has hustle and bustle, and Santa. In other words, the creators threw in every Christmas trope they could into the two and a half hour running time...They also keep the character development to a minimum, providing types rather than full-blown characters. The short-hand works, if only because of the simplistic nature of the piece - think a Muppet special, but with people."
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