Welcome to the iconic Saenger Theatre. I’m delighted to share with you the incredible lineup we’ve put together for the Broadway in New Orleans series presented by Entergy this season.
Elf will get you into the holiday spirit with its heartwarming and humorous take on the classic Christmas tale.
You’ll also have the chance to experience The Cher Show, a dazzling celebration of one of music’s biggest icons. And if you’re in the mood for something fresh, don’t miss & Juliet, a vibrant reimagining of the classic Romeo and Juliet story with a pop twist.
For those who love a bit of nostalgia, we’re bringing back Mamma Mia!, where you can sing along to all your favorite ABBA hits. Meanwhile, Funny Girl will charm you with its timeless story and unforgettable music.
And, of course, we couldn’t be more thrilled to host the revolutionary Hamilton, a show that has redefined Broadway with its powerful storytelling and innovative score. We’ll also have the magical The Wiz, a soulful reimagining of the classic Wizard of Oz tale that’s sure to captivate. Finally, we’ll close out the season with Chicago, a sizzling, high-energy musical that’s as glamorous as it is thrilling.
We’re incredibly grateful for your support and enthusiasm. Your patronage makes it possible for us to bring these exceptional performances to life and keep the magic of live theatre alive in our community.
Should you have any questions or need assistance, our team at the Saenger Theatre is always here to help. We look forward to welcoming you to these remarkable shows and sharing many unforgettable moments together.
Warmest regards,
David Skinner Director – NOLA Venues ATG Entertainment
MAKING ELF SPARKLE INSIDE AND OUT
The tour’s director, Sam Scalamoni, reveals the vision behind the musical’s magic.
STORY BY Ruthie Fierberg
The curtain rises, the lights glow, and Santa…realizes the football game he wanted to watch wasn’t taped! His plans foiled, he realizes, “It’s Christmas! Let’s read a Christmas story.” Santa cracks open a book, the world of Elf begins to unfold.
The tour’s director, Sam Scalamoni, collaborated with the musical’s design team specifically to create a pop-up book come to life in his version of Elf. Santa’s workshop (designed by Christine Peters) looks like an illustrated cottage. The elves’ clothing (designed by Gregg Barnes) pop with color, like a bag of jelly beans, and their silhouettes dance with whimsy. The New York City backdrops hang like paintings on a page. As Scalamoni said, “As Santa reads us the story out of his pop-up book, we step into the pop-up book.”
The musical, much like the movie it’s based on, is “the story of Buddy, the elf” — a man raised in the North Pole as an oversized elf, who discovers in adulthood that his biological father lives in New York City. Buddy ventures to Manhattan to
(L – R) Jackson Reagin, Zuly Cabrera and Company in National Tour of ELF The Musical. Photo by Jeremy Daniel, 2024.
find his dad and, eventually, reinvigorate the Christmas spirit of the entire city. While the idea of holiday spirit can seem naïve to some, Buddy’s fortitude in kindness and joy is the driving engine of the story’s endearing nature.
Will Ferrell iconically originated the role of Buddy in the 2003 film, and it would be easy to consider the overgrown elf a ridiculous character. “People think of Will Ferrell as this big, outrageous, larger-thanlife character,” Scalamoni said. “Actually, if you watch the movie Elf, it’s one of his more grounded, honest, genuine performances.”
That earnestness is the key to Scalamoni’s staging — which has been touring since 2012. “Every time we do this, I talk to the actor who plays Buddy, and I say, ‘I know it feels like you want to chew scenery here, but that’s not what this is about,’” said the director. “This is about being an adult who was raised by elves with Santa Claus in the North Pole, and then plucked from that situation, placed into another one and how to react to these situations.”
“They have to come from a real place,” Scalamoni said of the actors who play Buddy. “I think that helps ground the show.”
And that doesn’t just go for Buddy. Scalamoni tasks every actor in the cast with finding truth rather than fantasy. “I have this conversation with the elves all the time,” he said. “I say to them, ‘These are just people who happen to work at a toy shop. They are not little pixies. We need to play them as people.’”
Capturing that humanity is what allows for the magic. As Scalamoni said, “It’s about spirit.”
While Buddy drips with spirit, New York City does not. But Scalamoni has also been careful about the portrayal of the people who make up the metropolis. “Manhattan gets a bad reputation for being a little gruff and rough sometimes,” he said. “We paint the people in New York as people who are burdened. I talk to the gentleman who plays Walter [Buddy’s dad], and I always say, ‘You’re not mean. You’re a good guy. You’re just buried under a lot of pressure — family pressure, work pressure.’ I think we all can relate to that.”
That relatability is key to Elf, and book writers Bob Martin and the late Thomas Meehan infuse empathy — as well as a sleighful of joy — into the script, while composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Begeulin do the same for the score. Like Scalamoni said, “We watch Buddy crack that [burden] open with his spirit, true joy and passion for wanting to live this joyous life that he’s grown up in and share that with others.”
Sharing the spirit of Elf is what has kept Scalamoni with the tour of the musical through 15 different companies over the course of 12 years. “I love telling the story and I love what it says about the season,” Scalamoni said. “We bring the idea of spending time with family and the people that you care most about. That is really what the season is about: taking time to enjoy the season of giving and caring,” he said. “We do the show at the holidays, but you could see it any time.”
“I feel we get to share that with the rest of the country every year when the tour goes out,” he continued. “That really keeps me passionate about it. We have a little gem here, and I love preserving it.”
For more in-depth interviews, up-to-date news and show reviews on Broadway, visit broadwaynews.com.
(L – R) Mark Fishback and Company in National Tour of ELF The Musical. Photo by Jeremy Daniel, 2024.
THE TIMELESS GLAMOUR OF BOB MACKIE: THE VISIONARY BEHIND CHER’S ICONIC LOOKS
STORY BY Beth Stevens
Bob Mackie, a titan in the world of costume and fashion design, has dazzled audiences for decades with his extraordinary creations. With nine Emmy Awards and three Academy Award nominations under his belt, Mackie’s work has been synonymous with glamour and creativity. As the Tony-winning costume designer for The Cher Show, Mackie revisited and reinvented the legendary styles of Cher, the superstar he has dressed for over 50 years in an array of sequins, feathers and bold statements.
A Historic First Encounter Mackie’s journey with Cher began in 1967 during her guest appearance on “The Carol Burnett Show”. It was a moment that would set the stage for a groundbreaking partnership. “I was trying to fix a beaded dress in the hallway when Cher exclaimed, ‘I love beaded dresses!’” recalls Mackie. This casual conversation blossomed into a creative collaboration that would redefine fashion for women in entertainment.
Morgan Scott as Star in The Cher Show. Photo by Meredith Mashburn Photography.
“I told her, ‘When you’re ready, I’m ready,’” he remembers, signaling the start of a vibrant career marked by Cher’s unique style. At the time, Mackie was captivated by Cher’s unconventional look, which defied the beauty standards of the day. “Pretty girls were all boopsie and blonde back then,” he explains. “Cher was different—fascinating.”
Dressing Multiple Versions of Cher
Designing costumes for The Cher Show presented a unique challenge: capturing the essence of Cher through three actresses portraying different ages of her life. “It’s tricky because they’re not Cher. They don’t necessarily look like her or have her build,” Mackie notes. The challenge lies in creating garments that resonate with Cher’s spirit while accommodating the actresses’ interpretations.
Yet, Mackie’s experience shines through, allowing him to create looks that reflect Cher’s evolution while maintaining her signature flair. His designs have not only shaped Cher’s public persona but have also influenced a generation of women aspiring to express themselves through fashion.
A Personal Touch in the Spotlight
In a delightful twist, Mackie himself is a character in The Cher Show, portrayed by an actor in the show. Michael Beresse, who originated the role on Broadway, describes his experience: “Bob is the nicest man in the world. He made me feel so at home and comfortable.” This reflects Mackie’s genuine nature, even amidst the glamour of Broadway. “It’s the last thing I ever thought would happen,” Mackie says, chuckling at the notion of being represented on stage.
Simplistic Elegance Amidst Opulence
While Mackie is renowned for his extravagant and daring designs, he also understands the power of simplicity. He recounts a particular scene in the show where Cher, auditioning for a role, is dressed in jeans and a jacket. “I wanted her to look vulnerable,” he explains, despite Cher’s initial skepticism about the simplicity of the outfit. Cher’s signature style may often lean towards the outrageous, but Mackie’s vision encompasses a range of aesthetics that showcase the essence of the character.
Cher’s Strong Opinions
Mackie acknowledges Cher’s strong opinions about fashion. “She doesn’t want to look ordinary,” he says, emphasizing her desire to break free from traditional molds. This bold approach has allowed Mackie to create pieces that not only reflect Cher’s personality but also challenge societal expectations.
Yet, Mackie’s artistry transcends the flashiness often associated with show business. “He doesn’t like his clothes to appear vulgar,” Beresse notes. Mackie’s designs celebrate the human form, making everyone who wears them feel beautiful.
A Legacy of Friendship and Understanding
At the heart of Mackie’s work is a profound understanding of Cher, rooted in years of collaboration. “She realizes that I understand her,” he says, acknowledging the unique bond they share. This connection, forged through creativity and mutual respect, has not only shaped Mackie’s career but has also left an indelible mark on the world of fashion.
Mackie’s designs for The Cher Show highlight his enduring legacy as a designer, artist, and friend, showcasing the power of creativity, individuality, and timeless glamour. Whether adorned in sequins or dressed in denim, Mackie’s work tells a story that reaches far beyond the stage.
The Cher Show is scheduled to come to the Saenger Theatre starting December 17, 2024.
For more information and features, head to Broadway.com.
NETworks Presentations LLC presents
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
Production Managers
NETworks Presentations
Alex Williams
Hector Guivas
Lighting Design Paul Miller
Sound Design Shannon Slaton
Orchestrations Doug Besterman
Dance Arrangements David Chase
General Manager Gentry & Associates
Steven Varon-Moore
Music Director/Conductor Charlie Yokom
Company Manager Ryan Buchholz
Book by
Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin
Music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
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 announcement is made at the time of the appearance.
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:
Theodore Lowenstein
Tyler Price Robinson
Tara Nicole Vinson
Mia Bergstrom
David Couter
Jackson Hurt
Evan Hussey
Beatrice Reyes
Mario Rizzi
Marie Lemon
Adolfo Ortiz-Feder
Zuly Cabrera
Ralph Prentice Daniel
Mark Fishback
Jackson Reagin
Lacey Kim Kriston
Keara Sweeney
Galvin Yuan
Emily Ann Stys
Miles Schmidt Alysia Vastardis
Overture
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
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
“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
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 device, 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: TYA Edition national tour (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 The Musical 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. @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 (Store Manager, Mr. Greenway, Santa u/s) 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 and 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 (Tiara, Charlotte Dennon, Ensemble, Jovie u/s) 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 (Chadwick, Fake Santa, Ensemble, Walter Hobbs u/s, Store Manager u/s, Mr. Greenway u/s). 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 (Charlie, Matthews, Policeman, Ensemble, Buddy u/s) 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 (Security Guard, Ensemble) is happy to return to Christmastown for another holiday season! National Tour: Elf The Musical, Hairspray. Regional: A Chorus Line, Elf The Musical, 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 (Mrs. Claus, Ensemble, Emily Hobbs u/s, Deb u/s) 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 Theatre 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 SquarePants. 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 The Producers. He received his first Tony Award in 1977 for writing the book 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 projects also include “Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays” (CBC), “Michael: Everyday” (CBC), and “Sensitive Skin” (HBO), with more in development.
MATTHEW SKLAR (Music). Two-time 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 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 six-time Tony Award nominee whose work includes 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 Theatre Award, and the ASCAP
Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. He 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 Theater at Madison Square Garden! In development: 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, 1st 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 The Musical, 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 OffBroadway 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 Fifth 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 The Musical. 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. He is 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.). OffBroadway: 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! 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 The Musical 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).
WOJCIK CASTING TEAM (Casting).
B’way: The Little Prince. Tours: Jesus Christ 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 Street Y, NYC. wojcasting.com @wojcasting
ROADCO ENTERTAINMENT (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 (U.S. & 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) and 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 The Musical 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, SpongeBob SquarePants, 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. 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 Award-winning 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 Nighttime; the Tony Award-winning musical The Bridges of Madison County; and the Broadway holiday hit musical Elf The Musical. 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 thirdparty 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
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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
Event Security ..... Natisha Beardon, Richard Colar, Carolyn Craft, Da’Shawn Elliott, Erander Guss, Charles Haley, Monique Jackson, Natoshia Lowe, Stacey Mason, Darlene Richardson, Thomas Shelburne, Daniel Terrebonne, Alex Thompson, Joseph Washington, Tracy Washington, Arthur Watson
IATSE House Crew Glenn Gandolini (Steward), John Davi, John Dunn, Jay Barocco, Chuck Golden, Brantley McClendon
Director of Food & Beverage. ............................. Dean Phillips
Deputy Director of Food & Beverage Tianne “Tank” Morales Director of Parking Ross Kott Safety Officer. Joe Maumus
ATG ENTERTAINMENT, NORTH AMERICA
Executive Vice President, Content & Creative ...........................................................................................................Kristin Caskey Vice President, Theatrical Programming Erica Schwartz Vice President, Broadway Programming ............................................................................................................... Nicole Kastrinos Sr. Vice President, Music, Comedy and Event Programming Jason Miller Content & Creative Bee Carrozzini, Jacob Porter, Gemma Kaneko, Jenn Sonick, Chris Wise, Erik Newson, Kevin Couch, Sammy Ma, Obed De la Cruz, Amy Bizjak, Alexandra Tamez Chief Financial Officer Nicolas Larrain Finance Victoria Griffin, Vanessa Sanchez, Jennifer Diaz, Sunnie De Grow, John Fisher, Frank Morales, Matt Yates, Rocio Ruiz, Devon Bacon, Shi Li, Joanne Rodriguez, Carmen Tran, Rachel Hirsch, Sophia Piatt, Melissa Hernandez, Edgar Martinez Ticketing & Revenue Management .................................................................. Jessica Bettini, Madeline Osborn, Ben Simpson, Leslie Stonebraker, Lauren Vadino, Annie Fox, Robert Gallo, Morgan Hogenmiller, Ginou Lilavois, Molly McNutt, Madeline Osborn, Ryan Sparks, Kimi Thompson CRM & Data Analytics Justin Sullivan, Oliver Marley, Mara Cohen, Julianne DuPree, Taylor Howard, Christine Savoie US Director of Food & Beverage ................................................................................................................................ Robert Yealu Food & Beverage Alana McKenna, Steven Luquis, LP Morano, Maurice Bensmihenr US Director of Property and Operations Sandra Toste Property & Operations
Susan Law, Kai Ladd-Griffin, Tristan James, Ieuan Evans, Alberto Vargas Jr., William Abraham, Peter Flemister, Rasim Hodzic, Fernando Rosado Jr., Russell Buenteo, Adam Hodzic
US Director of Human Resources Maureen Slattery
Human Resources
General Counsel
Wayne Prince, Dominique Saunders, Benjamin Lara, Phoenix Berry, Norma Hernandez, Mallory Sims, Evangelina Hernandez, Ken Roach
John Rogers
Vice President, Business Development ........................................................................................................................ Josh Fuhrer
Business Director, Regional Venues
Business Director, Broadway Venues
Rainier Koeners
Jordan Gatenby
Corporate Support...................................................................................................... Sally Shen, Ali Wonderly, Marissa Parrott
