ELF’S JACKSON HURT LOOKS FORWARD TO A ‘SPARKLE
JOLLY GOOD TIME’ IN
CHARLOTTE
STORY BY Keith Loria
Although Jackson Hurt is from Kentucky, his wife (Evan Bertram, who also performs) and most of her family are from Charlotte. So, he was thrilled to get the news that the national tour of Elf The Musical would be performing at the Blumenthal on the days following Christmas.
“I get to celebrate with family,” said Hurt, who is a featured ensemble member and understudies the lead role of Buddy the Elf in the beloved holiday show. “All of my in-laws will be attending the show, so it’s going to be really wonderful being there around the holidays.”
And while this will be Hurt’s first time performing on the Belk Stage, his wife grew up performing at the theatre at the annual Blumey Awards. “To be able to be on her ‘home’ stage will be really special,” Hurt said. “This is the
Mark Fishback and Company in National Tour of Elf The Musical. Photo by Jeremy Daniel, 2024.
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stage that she grew up performing on and dreaming on, so it’s going to be surreal.”
AWESOME EXPERIENCE
Growing up, Hurt was more into sports than theatre, but he enjoyed singing and liked being in front of people, so, during his sophomore year of high school, he auditioned for the school’s production of Hello, Dolly! and he never looked back.
“I fell in love with it and I realized that I had a shot at doing this, so went to school for it at Northern Kentucky University, graduating in 2021,” he said. “Being near Cincinnati allowed me to get a lot of awesome professional experience both during and after school.”
He moved to New York City in 2023 and has been working steadily ever since.
This is the second national tour for Hurt, as he also toured with My Fair Lady. Over his career, he’s enjoyed performing in regional productions such as The Sound of Music at The Lex in Memphis; Pippin at the Landmark in Cincinnati; and Grease at The Palace Theatre in New Hampshire.
When Elf came along, Hurt was excited as he had a lot of history with the original film version.
“There were two movies that my family grew up watching during Christmas season: one is Christmas Vacation and the second is Elf,” he said. “We love the really funny movies like those two. I’ve watched these films my whole life pretty much without fail. Will Ferrell and Zoe Deschanel are iconic. Now, we can bring a really exciting adaptation of that to the stage.”
A TON OF FUN
The audition process was quick, and he was thrilled to be welcomed to the cast.
“I initially did a self-tape on video and was called back into the room with the incredible team, including Sam Scalamoni, our director, and I booked the role,” Hurt said. “We go until Dec. 29, and Charlotte will be our last week on tour.”
In the show, Hurt has what he calls a “very busy and fun” track, both on and off stage, hopping back and forth among four main characters.
“I haven’t counted exactly how many, but I have probably 12-13 costume changes within the course of the show,” he said. “I’m a featured ensemble player so I play Charlie, Matthews, a policeman and it’s just a ton of fun. This is a wacky, crazy, fun holiday show in which the whole ensemble is like
Jackson Hurt
being shot out of a cannon. It’s at least 45 minutes before we can take a breather, and it’s just a blast.”
As an understudy for Buddy the Elf, Hurt harkens back to his memories of Ferrell in the role, and he tries to put his own spin on the role.
“My take on Buddy is that he’s a really, really big character and Will Ferrell embodies that perfectly, and so does our Buddy, Jackson Reagin,” Hurt said. “Jackson has inspired me to make big and bold choices. Buddy is larger than life and has a huge heart, and I play him super sincere.”
IGNITING A SPARK
One of the things that Hurt is constantly reminded of on tour is how special it is to bring Broadway to places around the country.
“New York is an awesome place with a lot of great theatre, but these tours allow the kids in Kentucky like myself or the little Evans in Charlotte to see theatre and really be inspired to bring holiday cheer across the whole country,” he said. “It also inspires young kids to see us on stage and think, ‘I can really do that.’ That was me. I remember seeing Phantom and Les Mis growing up, and that ignited a spark in me that made this possible.”
Now, Hurt gets to bring smiles to audiences by being in a Christmas classic.
“Elf is an incredible holiday show for everyone,” Hurt said. “It’s big, it’s splashy and is good wholesome holiday fun.”
National Touring Company of Elf The Musical. Photo by Jeremy Daniel, 2024.
NETworks Presentations LLC presents
Book by
Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin
by Matthew Sklar
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berrenbaum
Featuring Jackson Reagin
Zuly Cabrera Ralph Prentice Daniel Mark Fishback Marie Lemon
Theodore Lowenstein Tyler Price Robinson Tara Nicole Vinson
with
Mia Bergstrom David Couter Jackson Hurt Evan Hussey Lacey Kim Kriston
Adolfo Ortiz-Feder Beatrice Reyes Mario Rizzi Miles Schmidt
Emily Ann Stys Keara Sweeney Alysia Vastardis Galvin Yuan
Scenic Design
Christine Peters
Hair/Wig Design Bernie Ardia
Music Supervisor Michael Gildin
Casting Wojcik Casting Team
Production Stage Manager
Bethany Sortman
Costume Design Gregg Barnes
Flying Effects ZFX, Inc.
Vocal Arrangements
Phil Reno
Music Coordinator John Mezzio
Exclusive Tour Direction RoadCo Entertainment
Production Managers
NETworks Presentations
Alex Williams Hector Guivas
Lighting Design Paul Miller
Sound Design Shannon Slaton
Orchestrations Doug Besterman
Dance Arrangements David Chase
Music Director/Conductor Charlie Yokom
Tour Marketing & Press Allied Global Marketing
General Manager
Gentry & Associates Steven Varon-Moore
Executive Producer Trinity Wheeler
Choreography by Connor Gallagher
Directed by Sam Scalamoni
Social Media Think Tank Marketing
Company Manager Ryan Buchholz
Music
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
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CAST
(in order of appearance)
Santa MARK FISHBACK
Mrs. Claus LACEY KIM KRISTON
Buddy JACKSON REAGIN
Charlie JACKSON HURT
Tiara MIA BERGSTROM
Walter Hobbs RALPH PRENTICE DANIEL
Sam. GALVIN YUAN
Matthews JACKSON HURT
Chadwick DAVID COUTER
Emily Hobbs ............................................................................................................. MARIE LEMON
Michael Hobbs ................................................................................. THEODORE LOWENSTEIN
Deb ........................................................................................................................... ZULY CABRERA
Security Guards ......................................................................... MARIO RIZZI, EVAN HUSSEY
Macy’s Sales Woman ...................................................................................... BEATRICE REYES
Store Manager ................................................................................... TYLER PRICE ROBINSON
Jovie ........................................................................................................... TARA NICOLE VINSON
Fake Santa .............................................................................................................. DAVID COUTER
Little Boy on Santa’s Lap ................................................................................. MILES SCHMIDT
Policemen............................................................................... JACKSON HURT, GALVIN YUAN
Mr. Greenway. ..................................................................................... TYLER PRICE ROBINSON
Charlotte Dennon ............................................................................................. MIA BERGSTROM
Ensemble MIA BERGSTROM, DAVID COUTER , JACKSON HURT, EVAN HUSSEY, LACEY KIM KRISTON, BEATRICE REYES, MARIO RIZZI, MILES SCHMIDT, KEARA SWEENEY, ALYSIA VASTARDIS, GALVIN YUAN
SWINGS
EMILY ANN STYS, ADOLFO ORTIZ-FEDER
UNDERSTUDIES and STANDBY
Understudies never substitute for the listed performers unless a specific posting or announcement is made at the time of the performance.
For Santa: TYLER PRICE ROBINSON; for Buddy: JACKSON HURT; for Walter Hobbs: DAVID COUTER; for Emily Hobbs: LACEY KIM KRISTON; for Deb: LACEY KIM KRISTON; for Store Manager: DAVID COUTER ; for Jovie: MIA BERGSTROM; for Mr. Greenway: DAVID COUTER; for Michael Hobbs: MILES SCHMIDT.
Dance Captain: EMILY ANN STYS
Assistant Dance Captain: ADOLFO ORTIZ-FEDER
To view the cast list for this performance, scan the QR code below:
At an orchard not so far om Atlanta, there lives a weekend where apples are not synonymous with phones, time is set by the sun and every thing is good natured. Create your happily ever Ellijay story today.
CAST
Jackson Reagin
Zuly Cabrera
Ralph Prentice Daniel
Mark Fishback
Marie Lemon
Theodore Lowenstein
Tyler Price Robinson
Tara Nicole Vinson
Mia Bergstrom
David Couter
Jackson Hurt
Evan Hussey
Lacey Kim Kriston
Adolfo Ortiz-Feder
Beatrice Reyes
Mario Rizzi
Miles Schmidt Emily Ann Stys
Keara Sweeney
Alysia Vastardis
Galvin Yuan
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MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT ONE
Overture............................................................................................................................ The Orchestra
“Happy All The Time” ........................................................................... Santa, Buddy & Company
“World’s Greatest Dad” .............................................................................................................. Buddy
“In the Way” .................................................................. Deb, Walter, Emily, Michael & Company
“Sparklejollytwinklejingley” Buddy, Jovie, Store Manager & Company
“I’ll Believe in You” Michael & Emily
“In the Way” (Reprise) Emily & Walter
“Just Like Him” Buddy, Deb & Company
“A Christmas Song” Buddy, Jovie & Company
“World’s Greatest Dad” (Reprise) Buddy & Company
ACT TWO
Entr’acte ........................................................................................................................... The Orchestra
“Nobody Cares About Santa” ................. Fake Santas, Store Manager, Waitress & Buddy
“Never Fall in Love (with an Elf)” .............................................................................................. Jovie
“There Is A Santa Claus” Michael & Emily
“The Story of Buddy the Elf” Buddy, Michael, Walter, Greenway, Emily, Deb & Company
“Nobody Cares About Santa” (Reprise) Santa
“A Christmas Song” (Reprise) Jovie, Buddy, Emily, Michael, Walter & Company Finale Buddy, Jovie, Walter, Emily, Michael, Company
THERE WILL BE ONE 20-MINUTE INTERMISSION
MUSICIANS
Conductor/Keyboard: Charlie Yokom
Associate Conductor/Notion: Nathaniel Zembruski
Reeds: Neil Cole, Kenny Advocat Trumpets: Todd Anderson, Janny Hora
Trombone: Megan O’Malley
Drums: Christian Allen
Music Coordinator: John Mezzio
Electronic Music Design: Hiro Iida and Adam Wiggins for STRANGE CRANIUM
The use of any recording devices, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, beepers and watches.
WHO’S WHO in the CAST
JACKSON REAGIN (Buddy) is beyond excited to be making his National Tour debut! Regional: The U.S debut of Ragtime in Concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (Harry Houdini). Huge shoutout to his loving family and friends, his incredible reps at Henderson Hogan, and the Wojcik Casting Team for making this dream come true. CCM MT’ 24 @jackson.reagin jacksonreagin.com
ZULY CABRERA (Deb). A tiny but mighty Puertorican! Credits: The Lightning Thief National Tour: TYA Edition (Annabeth Chase), Dogman: The Musical Tour (Lil Petey & Flippy U/S), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Gargoyle), Into the Woods (The Witch), Matilda: The Musical (Ms. Wormwood), Shrek: The Musical (Sugarplum Fairy/Gingy), Beauty & The Beast (Silly Girl), On Your Feet (Ensemble). University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, NY’s Circle in the Square Theatre School. To God the Glory! @TheZulyCabrera / TT: Zuleyka1212
RALPH PRENTICE DANIEL (Walter Hobbs) is thrilled to join the company of Elf this holiday season. Ralph was last seen as Wilbur Turnblad in the National Tour of Hairspray. Regional credits: Oliver (Fagan), Mary Poppins (George Banks), Footloose (Rev. Shaw, St. Luke’s Theatre), Assassins (Guiteau), It Shoulda Been You (Albert, The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol), Tuck Everlasting (Man in Yellow), Newsies (Pulitzer, Orlando Repertory Theatre). Many thanks to friends, family, and Brian at The Hell’s Kitchen Agency. w@rprenticed
MARK FISHBACK (Santa) joyfully returns to this beloved Christmas musical, with several years in international and North American tours: West Side Story, Elf, 42nd Street, the new musical, Elf on the Shelf, along with several regional productions including Mary Poppins, Kinky Boots, and Newsies. Happiest of Holidays!
MARIE LEMON (Emily) is a New York City based actor, originally from Austin, TX. National Tour: Elf the Musical (Emily), The Producers (Shirley Markowitz). Recently: Baby
(Arlene), Laughing Wild (Woman), Working (Waitress). BFA, Millikin University. Special thanks to Sam and the entire Elf team. For Mom, Dad, Sissy.marielemon.com
THEODORE LOWENSTEIN (Michael Hobbs) is excited to be making his National Tour debut! Theatre credits include All My Sons (Iona Stage). He would like to thank NETworks, Wojcik Casting, Bercy Talent and all of his friends and family whose support is helping to make his dreams come true. theodorelowenstein.com @theodorelowensteinny
TYLER PRICE ROBINSON (Macy’s Manager/Mr. Greenway) is an actor/educator from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is beyond excited to join this tour for the holiday season! Recent Credits: Beauty and the Beast (Beast, Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts), Sister Act (Eddie Souther, Rivertown Rep), Big River (Jim, Round Barn Theatre), and Guys & Dolls (Nicely, Prather Productions.) Gratitude to WCT and the entire creative team. He’s very grateful for his family, friends, teachers, students. @t.ylerprice
TARA NICOLE VINSON (Jovie) is a Brooklyn-based actress excited to be touring with NETworks Presentations for the first time ever! Since graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2018 she has been in the U.S National Tour of Peppa Pig Live! (Suzy Sheep, Daisy u/s) along with regional performances of The Polar Express (Bailey), Chicago (Roxie Hart), Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier), and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Honey). @tara.nicole.vinson
MIA BERGSTROM (Ensemble) is thrilled to join this company! Regional: Frozen (North Shore Music Theatre), Escape to Margaritaville (Ogunquit Playhouse), Sister Act (Sister Mary Robert, John W. Engeman Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel, Virginia Stage Company), James Joyce’s The Dead (Gretta, Hangar Theatre). BFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts New Studio on Broadway. Many thanks to her friends, family,
MTA, and Henry for their endless support. @miagbergstrom
DAVID COUTER (Ensemble). Favorite credits include Peter in Comfort (Lincoln Center), Lucius/ Demetrius in Titus Andronicus (Rose Playhouse London), and Alex in Caddywhompus (FringeNYC). He holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Memphis. For Kelly. Smile. Skip. Laugh. @dtcouter
JACKSON HURT (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on tour! Tour: My Fair Lady (2nd, 3rd Nat’l) Select Regional: Sound of Music, Memphis (The Lex), Cinderella (Aurora), Little Women, Grease, Little Mermaid (The Palace), Pippin (Cincinnati Landmark), Hunchback (The Carnegie). Cruise: RCCL. Many thanks to his incredible wife, Evan, his family, and UIA Talent. NKU BFA Alum. @jackson.hurt12. Ephesians 6:16.
EVAN HUSSEY (Ensemble) is happy to return to Christmastown for another holiday season! National Tour: Elf, Hairspray. Regional: A Chorus Line, Elf, Mary Poppins, La Cage, Scrooge, Something Rotten. MMC MT Alum. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Wheeler, Brian at HKA and all cast/ crew/creatives involved with Elf!
LACEY KIM KRISTON (Ensemble) is excited to be back on the road with Elf this season. Previous credits include Beauty and the Beast National Tour (u/s Potts/Madame De La Grande Bouche), Elf National Tour (u/s Emily), Disney Cruiseline (Mary Poppins, Garderobe, Aurora, Cruella Deville). She would like to thank her parents Kerri and Chelsea for all of their support. See you in the North Pole!
ADOLFO ORTIZ-FEDER (Swing, Assistant Dance Captain) is full of holiday cheer as a part of this show! Previous credits include: National Tours: Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof; New York: Broadway Bares 2024; Regional: Elf the Musical (Ogunquit Playhouse); Cruise: Grease, Saturday Night Fever. Many thanks to the entire Elf team, Wojcik Casting, About Artists, and my loving friends. A mi familia, no estaría aquí sin tu apoyo.
BEATRICE REYES (Ensemble). Recent Credits: Blippi Live (Ensemble), Sesame Street Live (Elmo), and Peppa Pig Live (Swing/ DC). Beatrice is a proud alumna of UF Dance & BDC’s ProSem. They want to wish their agent Tiera, family, friends & partner a MERRY CHRISTMAS! @be.at.rice
MARIO RIZZI (Ensemble) is beyond thrilled to be making his National Tour debut in Elf the Musical. Recent credits: A Chorus Line (Mike Costa), 42nd Street, and Tootsie at Theater By The Sea. Other credits: A Chorus Line (Mike Costa) at The Argyle Theatre, and White Christmas at Tuacahn Amphitheatre. He was also an onstage performer for Disney World and was on season 16 of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Mario would like to thank his family, friends and partner for their amazing love and support.
MILES SCHMIDT (Ensemble) National Tour debut! Select credits: Ralphie in A Christmas Story, Nigel in Matilda, Plankton in SpongeBob the Musical. Thanks to Bonnie Shumofsky, Susan Lipton, MPAC, Annie’s Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, and his friends and family for their support. A true believer, Miles visited Santa 33 times in 2019.
EMILY ANN STYS (Swing, Dance Captain) is thrilled to be back with Elf on tour! Recently she was on the road with Mean Girls as the Swing/ Dance Captain. Other favorite credits include Rock of Ages (ACT of Conn), A Bronx Tale (the Engeman), Little Mermaid (the Palace) and Saturday Night Fever (circa 21). Much love to the Stys family, and always grateful to Brian at HKA! @eastys
KEARA SWEENEY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her National Tour debut! Recents include Ice Queen (92NY), Norwegian Cruise Line: Footloose/Elements (WendyJo/ Dancer/Aerialist). Growing up she trained under Abby Lee’s Dance Company and is a proud alumni of The Institute for American Musical Theatre in NYC! Dance on! @kearasweeney
ALYSIA VASTARDIS (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her National Tour debut in Elf the Musical! Recent credits include Beetlejuice (NCL), Elf
the Musical (Ogunquit Playhouse); Jersey Boys and Tootsie (North Shore Music Theatre), Grease and 42nd Street (The Palace Theatre). She is a graduate of Point Park University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. She’s so thankful for the constant love and support of her family and friends! alysiavastardis.com. @alysiavastardis
GALVIN YUAN (Ensemble) National Tour debut! Previous credits include Catch Me If You Can (Johnny Dollar), Grease (Eugene), Mary Poppins (Ensemble, u/s Robertson Ay). Special thanks to NETworks, Wojcik Casting, and to my friends and family who have been there for me through it all. Merry Christmas and happy holidays! BM Manhattan School of Music. @galvinyuan
THOMAS MEEHAN (Book) won the 2003 Tony Award® for co-writing the book for Hairspray after having won the 2001 Tony Award for co-writing the book of The Producers. He received his first Tony Award in 1977 for writing the book of Annie, which was his first Broadway show, and he has written books for the musicals I Remember Mama, Ain’t Broadway Grand, Annie Warbucks and the American version of Bombay Dreams. His work includes Annie, Chaplin, Elf the Musical, Young Frankenstein, for which he co-wrote the book with Mel Brooks, and Cry-Baby, co-written with Mark O’Donnell.
BOB MARTIN (Book) has been working as a writer, performer, and producer in television, film, and theatre in Canada and the U.S. for more than three decades. Bob is co-creator of the musicals The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf the Musical, and The Prom, which are beloved by critics and audiences alike. The Prom was adapted into a Netflix film with an all-star cast. Recent theatre projects include Hey Look Me Over! (Encores!), Half Time (Chicago, Paper Mill), The Sting (Paper Mill). His theatrical endeavors in development include Night at the Museum, The Princess Bride, Smash, and a sequel to The Drowsy Chaperone. Mr. Martin was the co-creator of Slings & Arrows, which multiple publications continue to name as one of the best television shows of all time. His television proj-
ects also include Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays (CBC), Michael: Everyday (CBC), and Sensitive Skin (HBO), with more in development.
MATTHEW SKLAR (Music). Twotime Tony, Emmy Award-nominated composer of The Prom (Tony nom. for Best Original Score, winner of the Dramatists Guild Frederick Loewe Award), Elf the Musical, and The Wedding Singer (Tony nom. for Best Original Score). Film/TV: The Prom (Golden Globe nom. for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy), Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas (Emmy nom. for Outstanding Music Direction), Sesame Street, Wonder Pets! and PBS’s American Masters Honors also include the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, the Gilman/ Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Award, and the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award.
CHAD BEGUELIN (Lyrics) is a sixtime Tony Award-nominee whose works include Disney’s Aladdin (Tony noms. for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk noms. for Outstanding Lyrics and Best Book), The Prom (Tony noms. For Best Book and Best Original Score and Drama Desk noms. for Best Book and Outstanding Lyrics), and The Wedding Singer (Tony noms. for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk nom for Outstanding Lyrics). He also wrote the lyrics for Elf the Musical. Chad is the recipient of the Edward Kleban Award for Outstanding Lyric Writing, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, the Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Musical Theater Award, and the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. Chad is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Dramatic Writing Program. His debut novel Showmance is available wherever books are sold. Much love to his husband Tom.
SAM SCALAMONI (Director) is proud of the critically acclaimed Elf the Musical which has toured the U.S. since 2012 with successful runs at The Kennedy Center and The Theatre at Madison Square Garden! In development he has; A Thousand Faces, based on the life of film icon Lon Chaney; Unbelievable, based on
baseball legend Jackie Mitchell, and a miniseries based on the same story titled JACKIE, Baseball’s forgotten legend. Sam developed and directed the new musical, The Elf on the Shelf; A Christmas Musical, the premiere of the holiday musical Noel with book by best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer, and his Storytime Live! For Nickelodeon broke box office records at Radio City Music Hall. Sam is the Associate Director of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast for Broadway and has mounted multiple companies worldwide, most recently in Australia. His Les Misérables won him the SALT Award for Best Director of a Musical and Best Musical of the Year and his Agatha Christie’s An Unexpected Guest, won him the Broadway World Award for Best Director of a Play both at Cortland Repertory Theatre. For Tricia, Spencer and Mia.
CONNOR GALLAGHER
(Choreographer). Recent work as director/choreographer: The Big Gay Jamboree (Orpheum Theatre, NYC) and the world-premiere stage adaptation of Disney’s Moana (Disney Treasure.) Other work: Beetlejuice (Broadway) The Robber Bridegroom (Roundabout Theatre Company, Astaire Award) and a reimagined Beauty and the Beast for Disney Creative Entertainment (Director, Brass Ring Award.) Spent a year on Broadway as a dancing rug. connorgallagher.com
CHRISTINE PETERS (Scenic Design)
Credits: Pretty Woman tour, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tour, Tootsie tour, Elf the Musical tour, First Date, Mickey & Minnie’s Doorway to Magic. Broadway (associate designer): Bad Cinderella, King Kong Alive on Broadway, Miss Saigon, 1984, Paramour, Les Misérables, Testament of Mary, Jekyll & Hyde, The Book of Mormon, Newsies The Musical, The Addams Family, Elf the Musical, Bonnie and Clyde, The House of Blue Leaves, Elling, Enron, Mary Stuart, The American Plan, Cyrano de Bergerac, Chita Rivera. National Tours (associate designer): Newsies, Dirty Dancing, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Wizard of Oz, The Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde, Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast.
GREGG BARNES (Costume Design).
Broadway: Some Like It Hot (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Award), Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, Tuck Everlasting, Something Rotten!, Aladdin, Kinky Boots (Olivier Award), Follies (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Henry Hewes Award), Elf, Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Award, Olivier nom.), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Flower Drum Song, Side Show. Other: Dreamgirls (Olivier nomination).
PAUL MILLER (Lighting Design). Broadway: Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Show, Amazing Grace, The Illusionists, Legally Blonde, Freshly Squeezed, Laughing Room Only National Tours: The Illusionists, The Producers, Hairspray, Nunsense Many commercial Off-Broadway productions and City Center Encores! Regional: The Old Globe, Stratford Shakespeare Festival (Ontario), DC Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare, Idaho Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theatre Co, Asolo Rep, American Conservatory Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, The Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh CLO, and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, and The San Diego Symphony among others. Ballet: The New Jersey Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet. Television: Live from Lincoln Center, Netflix, Showtime, Comedy Central. International: Productions in São Paulo, Toronto, London, Vienna, Milan (Teatro alla Scala), Manila, Johannesburg, Beijing, Slovenia, Canada, and Mexico. Paul has been the Lighting Director for the internationally televised New Year’s Eve Celebration from New York’s Times Square for the last 25 years.
SHANNON SLATON (Sound Design) on Broadway has designed The Illusionists and My Window: Melissa Etheridge, he has designed many National Tours including Shrek; Once on this Island; The Producers; Kiss Me, Kate; Noise/Funk; The Full Monty; Contact; A Chorus Line; Tap Dogs; Sweeney Todd; The Wizard of Oz; The Drowsy Chaperone; and The Wedding Singer. Shows he has mixed on Broadway include Springsteen on Broadway, Man of La Mancha, Bombay Dreams, A Christmas Carol,
Sweet Charity, Jersey Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Fela!, Anything Goes, Annie, Legally Blonde, and Cabaret.
BERNIE ARDIA (Hair and Wig Design) Enjoying a 50-year career, starting in television. Mr. Ardia has designed and coordinated well over 100 productions. He is happy to be a part of this seasonal favorite Elf. Ragtime, The Kennedy Center; Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables, Toronto; Kiss of the Spider Woman; Starlight Express, Cinderella /Eartha Kitt. Mr. Ardia was mentioned recently on TCM for his contribution to the John Waters: Pope of Trash exhibit at the Academy Museum. Also,the author of Barbra Streisand in New York City, and currently At Sea with Patrick Dennis My Madcap Mexican Adventure with the Author of Auntie Mame
DOUG BESTERMAN (Orchestrations). Three-time Tony Award-winner. Broadway: Anastasia, A Bronx Tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, It Shoulda Been You, Bullets Over Broadway (Tony nom.), Rocky, On a Clear Day…, Sister Act, How to Succeed… (Tony nom.), Elf the Musical, Young Frankenstein (Drama Desk nom.), Tarzan, Dracula, Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002 Tony/Drama Desk Awards), The Producers (2001 Tony/Drama Desk Awards), Seussical, The Music Man (Drama Desk/Tony noms.), Fosse (1999 Tony), Big (Drama Desk nom.), Damn Yankees (Drama Desk nom.). Off-Broadway: Carrie, Weird Romance. Regional: The Honeymooners, The Sting. TV/Film: Schmigadoon, Mary Poppins Returns, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Chicago, Mulan.
MICHAEL GILDIN (Music Supervisor) is a conductor and pianist whose recent credits include the National Tours of Peter Pan, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof. He is a frequent research consultant for New York City Center’s Encores! Series, scouring archives around the world to revive lost scores by the likes of Gershwin, Porter, and Rodgers & Hart. With Tony-winning conductor John Mauceri, he has reconstructed Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s
long-lost Blues Opera, to be produced next year.
JOHN MEZZIO (Music Coordinator) has conducted National Tours including State Fair starring John Davidson, Victor/Victoria starring Toni Tennille, and Cinderella starring Eartha Kitt and Debbie Gibson. Additionally, Mr. Mezzio was Associate Conductor for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express at the Las Vegas Hilton. National Tours: Oklahoma!, The Producers, Spring Awakening, Hairspray, The Book of Mormon, A Bronx Tale, Beauty and the Beast, and Fiddler on the Roof
CHARLIE YOKOM (Music Director/ Conductor) is thrilled to spread the Christmas cheer by playing loud for all to hear on the road with Elf this season. Previous credits include the global tour of The Sound of Music (MD/Conductor) and the U.S. National Tours of Hairspray (AMD) and Waitress (AMD). Many thanks to Trinity, Michael, Nate, Marissa, and my family!
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theatres in the U.S. and in over 60 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior™ shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. A Broadway Junior version of Peter Pan is available for licensing at mtishows.com MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).
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WOJCIK CASTING TEAM (Casting).
B’way: The Little Prince. Tours: JC Superstar, Shrek, Kite Runner, Motown, Dreamgirls, Jekyll & Hyde, West Side Story, Something Rotten!, RENT, Kinky Boots, Rock of Ages, Flashdance, Joseph… Dreamcoat, A Chorus Line. Riverside Theatre-FL, Tuacahn-UT; Theatre Aspen, Arvada Center-CO, Stages St. Louis-MO, Theatre Raleigh-NC; Engeman Theatre-NY, Summer Theatre of New Canaan-NY and 92nd Y, NYC. wojcasting.com @wojcasting
THE ROAD COMPANY (Tour Booking) Founded in 1997 by Stephen Lindsay and Brett Sirota. In addition to Elf, current representation includes Wicked, The Outsiders, Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Back to the Future, Kimberly Akimbo, The Great Gatsby, and more.
ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING (Tour Marketing & Press is a full-service integrated marketing agency working with the world’s leading entertainment, consumer, and lifestyle brands, including 80+ Broadway shows over three decades. Current tours: Ain’t Too Proud, Back to the Future, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Funny Girl, Hadestown, The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls, Mrs. Doubtfire, Pretty Woman, Some Like It Hot, Wheel of Fortune LIVE! Upcoming tours: Mystic Pizza, The Notebook, The Outsiders, and more.
GENTRY & ASSOCIATES (General Management) has managed nearly 250 National and Interational Touring theatrical productions over the past 25 years. Current and upcoming productions include A Beautiful Noise, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Come From Away, Elf, Funny Girl, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Mean Girls, Peter Pan, and The Wiz.
BETHANY SORTMAN (Production Stage Manager) Tours: Chicago, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Finding Neverland, Wizard of Oz (US & International), Cabaret. Regional and ‘Stock favorites: Mary Poppins, Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, White Christmas, A Chorus Line and more. Early Career SMs/Students, please do not hesitate to reach out! @bsort19. For DH.
HOPE JEWELL (Assistant Stage Manager) is honored to make the Nice List and travel to Christmas Town this holiday season. Tour Credits: Come From Away, A Celtic Christmas, A Taste of Ireland. Warm thank you to Bonnie Brady, Abby Bobb, and Networks for continuous mentorship and support. All glory to God!
RILEY GIBSON (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be joining the Elf family! National Tours: Little Women, Peter Pan; Regional: Company Management (2023) & Production Management (2024) at The REV Theatre Co, Auburn NY; Proud graduate of Elon University. For my family, friends, and ever growing support system!
RYAN BUCHHOLZ (Company Manager). National Tours: 1776, Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, Mean Girls, The Book of Mormon. Regional: Powerhouse Theater. Ryan holds a degree in Theatre from the University at Albany.
SHAWN PASSERO (Assistant Company Manager) is thrilled to be joining the Elf team as an Assistant Company Manager. Passero holds an MFA in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University where he earned his concentration in acting. Over the summer, he had the opportunity to work with Powerhouse Theater as an Assistant Company Manager. shawnpassero.com
TRINITY WHEELER (Executive Producer). Broadway: 1776 (dirs. Diane Paulus and Jeffrey Page), Les Misérables. National Tours: The Sound of Music (dir. Jack O’Brien), 1776, Les Misérables, Peter Pan (dir. Lonny Price), A Beautiful Noise, Hairspray, Once on This Island, Waitress, The SpongeBob Musical, Chicago, Finding Neverland, Dirty Dancing, Bullets Over Broadway, Elf the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Royal National Theatre production of Oklahoma!, The Wedding Singer, The Producers, The Wizard of Oz, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein (dir. Susan Stroman) and Rent starring Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. Gratitude to Ken, Seth, Clayton, Angela, Fred, Alecia, Cameron and Tom for believing.
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Love to Alan and Colin for everything. @trinityonbroadway
WARNER BROS. THEATRE
VENTURES (Producer), under the supervision of Executive Vice President, Mark Kaufman, is currently readying the Broadway return of the hit musical version of Beetlejuice, which opened on Broadway in April 2019 and received eight Tony award nominations including Best Musical. Prior to that, the division produced the West End, Broadway, and First National Tour of the Olivier Awardwinning musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; the Broadway stage adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery by William Goldman, starring Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf; the Tony Award-winning The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time; the Tony Award-winning musical The Bridges of Madison County; and the Broadway holiday hit musical Elf. The division is also currently navigating the musical version of Dave towards Broadway, after a successful run at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. Upcoming projects include a musical adaptation of 17 Again, which had its world premiere in Tokyo in May 2021; a dramatic version of Dog Day Afternoon, adapted by Stephen Adley Guirgis; as well as musical stage versions of the classic movie A Star is Born Additionally, the division oversees and serves as creative consultants on the licensing of third-party stage rights to the various properties held within the Studio’s vast media library, including such recent stage productions as Hairspray, The Wizard of Oz, The Color Purple, 42nd Street, Singin’ in the Rain, Top Hat, The Bodyguard, Honeymoon in Vegas, and A Christmas Story, as well as the upcoming Mr. Saturday Night, The Notebook, and Broadway Vacation.
UNIQUE FEATURES
(Producer) is an independent company that was launched in 2008 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne, who together built New Line Cinema into an industry powerhouse. The company is currently developing and producing several film and television projects, including The Mortal Instruments with Constantin Film, starting production this month with director Harald Zwart; an animated adaptation of Paul McCartney’s illustrated book High in the Clouds to be directed by Rob Minkoff, written by Josh Klausner with original music by McCartney; Sailing to Byzantium, based on the award-winning novella by Robert Silverberg; French Lessons, based on the successful novel written by Ellen Sussman. In television, the company is developing an original television series with Bennett Miller and Kristen Gore, and developing the reality series “Dude, That’s My Sister” for MTV with Bunim-Murray.
NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS
(Producer) is an industry-leading producer of touring theatrical productions, committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide for more than 25 years. Current and upcoming productions include A Beautiful Noise, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Come From Away, Elf, Funny Girl, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Mean Girls, Peter Pan, and The Wiz. networkstours.com
STAFF FOR Elf The Musical
Executive Producer
Trinity Wheeler
General Management
Gentry & Associates
Gregory Vander Ploeg
Madeline McCluskey Steven Varon-Moore Maia Sutton
Production Management
NETworks Presentations
Jason Juenker
Hector Guivas Walker White Alex Williams
pesci Aimeé Mangual Pagán
Exclusive Tour Direction The Road Company
Stephen Lindsay Brett Sirota Shawn Willett
Gracie Lewis Quinn Wasson Shane Parksmith
Natalie Rine AnaBella Kalish Jacob Hoffman www.theroadcompany.com
Tour Marketing & Press ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING
Andrew Damer
Jennifer Gallagher Scott Praefke
Jessica Cary Davis Adina Hsu Amenkha Sembenu
Jessica Steans-Gail Emily Toppen Anne Waisanen
Casting WOJCIK CASTING TEAM
Casting Diretors Scott Wojcik & Holly Buczek, CSA
Casting Associate, Cassie Maguire
Casting Intern, Emma Rose Johnson
Company Manager
Ryan Buchholz
Assistant Company Manager
Shawn Passero
Associate Director ........................ Drew King
Assistant Choreographer Daniel Pahl
Production Stage Manager Bethany Sortman
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Costume Coordinator ...................
Assistant Costume Coordinators
Hope Jewell
Riley Gibson
Andrea Hood
Jeanna DiPaolo, Isabel Martin, Danica Martino
Associate Lighting Designer .............. Wheeler Moon
Moving Light Programmer Liam Corley
Associate Sound Designer ............... Nikki Belenski
Associate Hair Designer Cheyenne Hart
Production Sound Derek Stevenson
Production Electrician ................. Olivia Doniphan
Head Carpenter Will Blair
Assistant Carpenter ...................... Evan Brown
Flyman Graham Savage
Head Electrician Kay Hawley
Assistant Electrician .................... Price Foster
Head Sound Graham McNeil
Assistant Sound Tristan King
Head Props Rico Slominski
Head Wardrobe Tiffany Janiczek
Hair and Makeup Supervisor........... Justen M. Brosnan
Dance Captain Emily Ann Stys
Assistant Dance Captain
Adolfo Ortiz-Feder
Production Assistant Nicholas Carlstrom
Physical Therapy NEURO TOUR Physical Therapy, Inc
Medical Director ..................................... Melody Hrubes, MD
Radio Spot Production
Television Spot Design/Video Production
Production Photography.................
Travel Agency Kessler & Co. / Direct Travel Trucking ........................................................ Clark Transfer
Busing Croswell VIP Motorcoach Services, Russell Coach
Staff for NETworks Presentations
Chief Executive Officer Orin Wolf
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer Margaret Daniel
Business Affairs Scott W. Jackson
Chief Producing Officer Seth Wenig
Executive Producers Mimi Intagliata, Trinity Wheeler
Associate Producer Hannah Rosenthal
Executive Assistant..................................Isabella Schiavon
Vice President of Finance Scott Levine
Sr. Director/Finance John Kinna
Controller ................................................. Jennifer Gifford
Director of Tour Accounting Laura S. Carey
Tax Director ................................................... Pat Guerieri
Accounts Payables & Receivables Clerk Lisa Loveless
Sr. Director, Booking and Engagements Amanda Laird
Directors, Booking & Engagements Stacey Burns, Colin Byrne
Director of Sales Zach Stevenson
Director of Marketing .................................... Heather Hess
Sr. Director/General Management Gregory Vander Ploeg
General Managers Madeline McCluskey, Steven Varon-Moore
Associate General Manager............................. Maia Sutton
Sr. Director/Production Management Jason Juenker
Sr. Production Manager Hector Guivas
Production Managers Walker White, Alex Williams
Technical Director pesci
Production Coordinator .................... Aimeé Mangual Pagán
Director of Operations Pearce Landry-Wegener
Resource Director Kayla Rooplal
Office Manager Michelle Adye
Music Coordinator John Mezzio
Warehouse Manager .................................... Joseph Spratt
Warehouse Costume Manager Bobby Maglaughlin
Warehouse Costume Shop Assistant Grace Santamaria
Rehearsed at Carroll Studios, New York
Credits
Scenery provided by Hudson Scenic Studios; Puppets provided by Proof Productions; Sound equipment by Masque Sound; Lighting equipment provided by Christie Lites; Properties by BrenBri Props; Flying Effects provided by ZFX, Inc.; Costumes prepared by Bethany Joy Costumes, Arel Studio, Lynne Mackey Millinery, Tricorne Costumes, Jennifer Chapman, Kieron Cotter, Jess Gersz, Rodney Gordon, Laduca Shoes, Worldtone Shoes, Lizet Rubinos, Gene Mignola, Diana Belanger.
Special Thanks to The EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, KY
Insurance Broker Services
EPIC Entertainment & Sports
Financial Services and banking arrangements by Flagstar Bank N.A.
Stock and Amateur rights for Elf The Musical are represented by Music Theatre International, New York City. 212-541-4684 www.mtishows.com
Visit the Elf The Musical tour at @ElfMusicalTour #ElfTheMusical ElfTheMusicalTour.com
HMS Media
HMS Media
Amy Boyle, Joan Marcus, Jeremy Daniel
Merchandising .................................................. Araca Group
Accounting NETworks Presentations LLC
Legal Services F. Richard Pappas, Esq.
HR Services ........................................Global Solutions, Inc., K+K Reset, LLC
Housing ...................................................... Road Concierge
All stage work performed by employees represented by IATSE.
UNITED SCENIC ARTISTS represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.
The Director and Choreographer are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.
