The cast is amazing, Giancola says “When we were casting we kept pushing people to see where their silly-meter read. We have a fantastic group of people who are willing to try anything to get a good laugh.”
Elf
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
December 19-29
It’s the movie we love with the addition of a musical soundtrack.
First staged in New York in 2010, the happy and joyful musical about the innocence of childhood now plays every year as cult favourite in the West End.
This year is the first time it will be shown simultaneously in three sites – New York, London and Sydney.
Expat New Yorker Eric Giancola is directing Elf for its Australian debut and is very excited to bring the white Christmas magic to a country where Christmas is often spent beachside.
Elf is about Buddy, a human raised by Santa’s elves, travelling to New York to find his family.
“It’s a great show – an underrated show. Everyone knows the film and they love it but the musical is beautifully crafted and is a surprising addition. It’s the music that tells the story.”
Giancola is sure that Elf will find an audience in Australia – it’s an organically simple show and plays to the joyful and the silly. “It’s for everyone – definitely for children but absolutely for adults as well,” he says.
“It’s a real family experience, it crosses boundaries and genres.”
The music is all original, written by Tony Award nominees Mathew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, The Wedding Singer) and the book is by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).
The musical production is a highlight of this show. Fully staged in the Concert Hall, conductor Vanessa Scammell will lead an on-stage band of 15 musicians.
The cast is amazing, Giancola says “When we were casting we kept pushing people to see where their silly-meter read. We have a fantastic group of people who are willing to try anything to get a good laugh.”
Gareth Isaac (Grease the Musical, Mary Poppins) as Buddy leads the cast. “Gareth is without a doubt the funniest person you’ve ever seen on stage. It’s like it was written for him. He’s got such innocence coupled with overwhelming enthusiasm,” says Giancola.
“It’s really difficult to master the lead role with the high energy levels. I’m so excited for people to see him. You’ll really believe he was raised in the North Pole.”
Simon Burke (Wicked, Moulin Rouge) plays his disgruntled father. Lara Mulcahy (Mamma Mia!) plays Santa. Brianna Bishop, one of the foremost new stars of musical theatre plays Buddy’s love interest. And Katrina Retallick (Come from Away) plays Simon Burke’s wife.
While this is the first time Giancola is directing this musical he originally worked as associate director and choreographer to Casey Nicholaw, the original director of Elf on Broadway.
The production runs for just two weeks from December 19. Tickets are from $75 plus $8.95 booking fee.
Elf
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
December 19-29
