Charming, innocent Buddy is back in ‘Elf the Musical’
Sam Hartley remembers going to the movies with his family when he was 15 to see the latest holiday film, “Elf.”
For years, the now-28-year-old New York resident has quoted lines from the movie, which stars comedian Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf — straight from the North Pole.
“Santa? I know him!” “Smiling’s my favorite!” “You sit on a throne of lies.”
Hartley knew them all.
Now, Hartley is getting the chance to embody the boyish title character in “Elf the Musical,” which is coming to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.
The story follows Buddy as he arrives in New York City from Santa’s workshop to search for his father — played by James Caan in the movie. Along the way, Buddy finds that most adults don’t seem to embody the Christmas spirit and takes it upon himself to change that.
Of course, Buddy can hardly help his ever-present positivity. He was raised, after all, as an elf — his tall, human form notwithstanding.
Hartley said that while he admires Ferrell’s performance in the film version, he’s looking to put his own spin on the character while maintaining Buddy’s innocent charm.
“To try and replicate verbatim what he did so brilliantly is a huge disservice, not only to yourself as an actor in trying to recreate that role, but your audience as well,” Hartley said. “It’s so unaffected and void of any shtick that [Ferrell] might usually do, and I think that’s what makes it so easy for someone like me and other actors to be able to take the role and put our own spins on it. It isn’t necessarily a shtick. It’s just sort of that unaffected innocence.”
To perfect this task, Hartley, who joined the cast of the touring production in October, said he did not watch the “Elf” film before his audition so he wouldn’t be reminded of Ferrell’s portrayal and could say the lines his own way.
Hartley’s vocals are being further tested. The two-hour stage production, which was first presented in 2010 on Broadway, includes nearly 20 musical numbers.
Hartley said the musicality of the play, including big-band numbers, makes sense since Buddy and his love interest, Jovie — played by Zooey Deschanel on screen — both enjoyed singing in the film.
“What’s more musical than two characters who sort of openly and quite often sing?” he asked. “To be able to transfer that to the stage was a pretty easy transition.”
The set also stays true to the film’s locations in the North Pole and New York.
The scenes almost look like snow globes or pop-up books, Hartley said.
The costumes, including colorful elf outfits and winter coats, represent the settings and the season as well, he said.
Dance captain Amanda Holt said the stage details are so elaborate that it’s impossible to notice them all in a single viewing.
-----------------------
FOR THE RECORD
An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to Amanda Holt as the choreographer. She is the dance captain.
-----------------------
“I would say if you saw the show twice in a row you’d probably see something you didn’t see before,” said the 32-year-old New York resident, who has been in charge of about a half dozen ensemble numbers in her career. “There’s a whole lot going on.”
Holt, who joined the show two years ago, said she believes the show promotes the true meaning of the holidays.
Hartley, too, appreciates the sentiment — and the change of pace. He said “Elf the Musical” is quite the contrast from one of his most recent roles — the Beast in a national touring production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
He added, though, that going from a recluse of a character like the Beast to someone so outgoing like Buddy was beneficial for his acting skills.
“It’s important as an actor to find as much versatility as possible,” he said. “I’ve been so fortunate to find such versatility, let alone in one year between these two roles. When you play a dramatic role, it’s very important for you to find any and all amounts of humor within that role and vice versa. You can’t ultimately be successful at one without the other.”
Hartley said “Elf the Musical” is enjoyable for all ages while still keeping the adult-friendly jokes and themes seen in the film.
He referred to it as two hours of heart-breaking and heart-warming comedy.
“I think it’s such an important time in our country that we just need to take a break from everything and come laugh and have a good time,” he said.
*
IF YOU GO
What: “Elf the Musical”
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: Dec. 20 through Jan. 1
Cost: $39 to $99
Information: scfta.org
Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey
