The Chemainus Theatre Festival’s Elf: The Musical, is a sparklejollytwinklejingley hit. Elf, the theatre’s Christmas offering directed by Ian Farthing, is outstanding from top to bottom. If you were lucky enough to get tickets, hold onto them tight, as the show had but one single seat left for its entire run at the time of writing. Elf is full of excellent performances, but the true standout is Oliver Kadar as main character Buddy. Kadar hits everything note-perfect from the musical numbers to the dancing to the emotional moments, putting the star in starring role. It’s a challenging part in more ways than one, but Kadar manages to make Buddy, who’s an overgrown child, loveable, funny, touching and sweet. He has an outstanding voice for the many musical numbers and great chemistry with the whole cast. His comedic timing is impeccable and had the audience laughing throughout. Kadar carries the show like he was born to play Buddy. It is a truly noteworthy performance. We bet he’ll be in demand to play this role at other theatres in years to come. Elf tells the story of Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole in Santa’s workshop who doesn’t know he’s not an elf like everyone else there until he finds out one day by accident. This sees him journey to New York City to meet his father Walter Hobbs (Raugi Yu), who is a high-powered publishing executive in the hot seat, trying to come up with a hit children’s book for Christmas. Plenty of wacky hi-jinks ensue as his reluctant dad takes him in and he spends time with half-sister Michaela (Amara Apa in the performance we saw, but also played by Noa Audenart), and stepmother Emily (Naomi Costain). He also falls in love with the jaded Jovie (Georgia Bennett), create’s chaos at Macy’s, commiserates with a bunch of santas and likes the shredder a little too much. This is a full-on musical and the songs and choreography are all top-notch with Anthony Knight as musical director and Melissa Young as choreographer. Bennett as Jovie is another standout voice in the cast and it is a pleasure to hear the music delivered so effortlessly with such heart. Her performance as the woman who wants to believe in spite of past experience telling her not to was excellent. Apa also delivered impressive vocals. As a musical, the ensemble is also key. With everyone seamlessly playing multiple roles, they are a talented bunch including Ali Watson, Cecilly Day, Matthew Yipchuck, Dustyn Forbes, Jennifer Lynch, Léah Zack and Stephen Thakkar. Sandy Winsby also adds the right touch as Santa. The only minor complaint was that the cast didn’t perform an encore number after the thunderous and well-deserved standing ovation on opening night. If they don’t have one, they should practice one, as we bet the audience will be on their feet after every performance in the run. The show is the perfect holiday break. It’s joyful and funny and heartfelt — a little bit of Christmas magic to make you believe in the spirit of the season. The theatre has also announced next year’s shows. The season will start with Godspell, move on to Ladies Foursome, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to take the theatre through the summer, then Peril in the Alps takes the stage, and it all wraps up with The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley. Look for more on the upcoming season in a future edition. For more information see chemainustheatrefestival.ca [https://chemainustheatrefestival.ca/].
More
Less
