L-R: Chris Stevens, Savy Jackson, John Bolton, Ann Sanders, Brian Ray Norri (Credit: Bucks County Playhouse)
(The following verbatim press release was provided by Bucks County Playhouse)
Bucks County Playhouse rings in the holiday season with a sparkling new production of “Elf: The Musical,” playing at the historic New Hope venue from November 21 through January 4. Based on the beloved film, the musical follows Buddy the Elf on his hilarious and heartfelt adventure from the North Pole to New York City to discover who he truly is — and in the process help deliver some holiday magic to the Big Apple.
With a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, the musical adaptation of “Elf” has become a holiday favorite for all ages. “Elf: The Musical” is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Leading the cast is South Jersey native, Chris Stevens (National Tours of “Tina” and “Jersey Boys”) as the larger-than-life Buddy. Joining him are Brian Ray Norris (BCP’s “She Loves Me” and Broadway’s “SpongeBob SquarePants”) as Santa; Juson Williams (Broadway’s “Gypsy” and “The Lion King”) as the fast-talking Store Manager; John Bolton (BCP’s “Noises Off” and Broadway’s “Anastasia”) as Walter Hobbs; Ann Sanders (BCP’s “The New World” and Broadway’s “Camelot” and “Frozen”) as Emily Hobbs; Savy Jackson (Broadway’s “Bad Cinderella”) as Jovie; and Jenny Lee Stern (BCP’s “Leader of the Pack” and Broadway’s “Rocky”) as Deb. Charlemagne Fadner (MSTDA’s “Ghosts All Around You”) and Michael Hurst (Metropolitan Opera’s “The Hours”) make their Playhouse debuts sharing the role of Michael Hobbs. William Ryall (Broadway’s “Grand Hotel,” “Wicked”) appears as Mr. Greenway. The ensemble features Olivia Lacie Andrews (Broadway’s “Sunset Boulevard” and BCP’s “Kinky Boots”), Mathew Blasio (Netflix’s “White Noise”), Jake Bryan (Theatre By The Sea’s “Hairspray”), Johnny Doty (Grandstreet Theatre’s “Little Shop of Horrors”), Sabrina Kalman (National Tours of “Fraggle Rock!” and “The Wizard of Oz”), Danielle Kelsey (Broadway’s “Funny Girl”), Ian Liberto (Broadway’s “Smash” and “New York, New York”), Ellie Pearlman (Courtland Rep’s “Hair”), Jillian Reef (Forestburgh Playhouse’s “Young Frankenstein”), Manuel Santos (Broadway’s “West Side Story”), Nicolette Smith (Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s “The Wizard of Oz”), and Jesse Swimm (BCP’s “White Christmas” and Broadway’s “School of Rock”).
The production is directed by Emmy Award® winner John Tartaglia, who earned a Tony nomination for Broadway’s “Avenue Q.” Tartaglia returns to Bucks County Playhouse after directing the Playhouse’s acclaimed 2019 production of “Mamma Mia!” Shannon Lewis, who choreographed “Mamma Mia!” and “The Rocky Horror Show” for Bucks County Playhouse and is currently represented on Broadway with the Tony-nominated show “Just in Time,” returns as choreographer. Scenic design is by Anna Louizos (BCP’s “She Loves Me” and Broadway’s “School of Rock”) and Craig Napoliello (Fulton Theatre’s “I Am My Own Wife”); costumes by Robin L. McGee (Broadway’s “As Long As We Both Shall Laugh”); hair and wigs by J. Jared Janas (BCP’s “She Loves Me” and Broadway’s “John Proctor Is the Villian”); lighting design by Katie Whittemore (Black Rock Theater’s “Shrek”) ; sound design by Bart Fasbender (BCP’s “The Rocky Horror Show”); and projections by Michael Salvatore Commendatore (BCP’s “Anastasia”). Michael A. Ferrara serves as music director, and Amy Rauchwerger is production stage manager.
“Who doesn’t love ELF? It’s funny, romantic, quirky and totally irresistible,” says Producing Director Alexander Fraser. “To have our dream team of John Tartaglia and Shannon Lewis back together again… their Mamma Mia broke all our box office records in 2019 ... and ELF is set to do the same for 2025! What a way to wrap up an incredible season.”
“Elf: The Musical” is the final production in the 2025 Season, which is sponsored by Bank of America. Production co-sponsors for “Elf” are Capital Health and The Birches of New Hope. Ghost Light Inn and Stella are the opening night sponsors. BLBB Advisors is the Audience Services Sponsor.
Previews begin Friday, November 21, with opening night on Saturday evening, November 22. The production runs through January 4. Performances are held Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm. Matinee performances take place Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1:30 pm. There are no performances on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Additional holiday performances include Wednesday evening, November 26 at 7:30 pm; Friday, November 28 at 1:30 pm; Tuesday, December 23 at 1:30 pm; Friday, December 26 at 1:30 pm; and Wednesday, December 31 at 7:30 pm.
At the first preview on Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm, a limited number of tickets will be available on a Pay-What-You-Can basis for anyone wishing to purchase up to six tickets at the price of their choosing (suggested price $20). Tickets are available starting at 5:30 pm. They are first-come, first-served, and seating locations will be assigned by the Box Office.
Tickets start at $39 and are available at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling 215-862-2121. Tickets are selling fast; the best availability is during the holiday stretch from Christmas through the New Year.
ABOUT BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE
Bucks County Playhouse, steeped in theatrical history dating to its 1939 founding by a roster of theatrical royalty, is celebrating the 13th anniversary of its 2012 reopening and restoration. With more than 75,000 patrons each year, the Playhouse continues to help lead the economic resurgence of New Hope and the surrounding community. In 2014, Tony Award-winning producers Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler assumed leadership of the Playhouse, helping it reclaim its reputation for attracting top-tier Broadway and Hollywood talent. Productions of “Company,” starring Justin Guarini, and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” were named to The Wall Street Journal’s Best of Theatre list in 2015. In 2018, the Journal again recognized the Playhouse — and Artistic Associate Hunter Foster — for its acclaimed production of “42nd Street.” The following year, the publication hailed the Playhouse as “one of the best regional theaters on the East Coast.” Box-office records have been repeatedly broken by signature productions including “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” “Steel Magnolias” (directed by Marsha Mason), “Million Dollar Quartet,” “42nd Street” and “Guys and Dolls” (all directed by Foster), as well as “Mamma Mia!” (directed by Artistic Associate John Tartaglia and choreographed by Shannon Lewis). A brief pause during the pandemic did not diminish the theater’s momentum. Bucks County Playhouse continued producing onstage and onscreen throughout 2020, culminating in a live summer season in 2021 that welcomed an increasing number of first-time audience members. The 2023 season featured standouts such as Jonathan Larson’s “Tick, Tick ... Boom!” (directed by Artistic Associate Eric Rosen, who returned in 2024 to helm the audience and critics’ favorite “Anastasia: The Musical”), “The Bridges of Madison County,” directed by Foster, and “The Rocky Horror Show,” starring Frankie Grande. Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” became the highest-grossing show in Playhouse history. In 2024, more than 40% of the audience were first-time attendees, drawn to record-breaking productions of “Grease!” and “Anastasia: The Musical.” The Playhouse continues to attract top creative teams — artists who relish the chance to work on the historic stage where Grace Kelly, Robert Redford and Jessica Walter began their careers
