[NEohioPAL] LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW: 'Elf' Climbs Off the DVD Shelf and Onto the Stage in Hilarious, Heartwarming Adaptation

[Cleve Land via NEohioPAL]

*            LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW: *
*     'Elf' Climbs Off the DVD Shelf *
*          and Onto the Stage in *

*   Hilarious, Heartwarming Adaptation*

Well, the holidays may be over, but the spirit of the season lingers
on. And there's no better to way to extend the Christmas cheer than by
catching a performance of *Elf the Broadway Musical*, now onstage at
Playhouse Square.

Every goes off like clockwork in this retelling of the tale of an orphan
who is raised by elves at the North Pole and sets out to New York City to
find his real father. The modern-day fairy tale features a streamlined book
by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, memorable music by Matthew Sklar, and
clever lyrics by Chad Beguelin. It is gleefully directed by Sam Scalamoni,
with exhilarating choreography by Connor Gallagher and sprightly music
direction by Nate Patten.

At the heart of the show are the performers, each who show off a number of
talents throughout the course of the evening. Nobody shines more than
Daniel Patrick Smith, who channels Will Ferrell's manic energy and adds a
layer of sincerity to the title character. He meets his match in Maggie
Anderson, who transforms from aloof to adorable right before our elf's
amorous eyes. D. Scott Withers, Gabrielle Mirabella and Harper Brady
(alternating with Nicky Torchia) provide plenty of support as Buddy's
perplexed but well-meaning family, and Ken Clement makes wishes come true
as a warm and witty Santa.

The rest of the agile company tackle a variety of characters, from store
employees to office workers. They make the biggest impression, however,
in the smallest roles as North Pole elves who sing and dance every chance
they get. The ensemble includes Audra Qualley, Michael Fisher, Drew Martin,
Joseph Fierberg, Spencer Glass, Shane Hurst, Ashleigh Junio, Erin Kei,
Caitlin Lester-Sams, Tyler Logan, Katie Lombardo, Emily Jeanne Phillips,
Benjamin Rivera, Brandon Stonestreet and Mia Weinberger...

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT:

*http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-elf-climbs-off-dvd-shelf.html
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-elf-climbs-off-dvd-shelf.html>*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20160101/e1c24022/attachment.htm>