Lovers of the Christmas movie “Elf” are in for a treat. “Elf the Musical” is back at the Pioneer Theater Company. The show is one of their most popular Christmas productions of all time.
In this show, there are stars on the stage and behind the scenes. The director is Alan Muraoka, a long-time Sesame Street actor.
“Probably most people know me as the owner of Hooper’s store on Sesame Street. My name is Alan on the show, and I’ve been there for 23 years,” said Muraoka.
Muraoka said he purposely didn’t rewatch the movie so he could go into the show with a fresh perspective.
“But I understood the spirit of the movie. This musical takes that as a launching pad, adds more fun music, more fantastic dancing, more comedy.”
The star of the show is of course Buddy the elf, played by Max Chernin.
“It’s grounded in so much genuine joy and love,” said Chernin.
The cast is mixed with actors from New York, like Chernin, and actors local to Utah.
Chernin said they have really become a family, and the audience will feel that.
“You get to jump into some of those iconic moments that the movie had that are now translated to the stage.”
“Elf the Musical” has song and dance and plenty of comedy for the whole family.
“Take your kids to see it, they’ll have such a good time. And the adults will be laughing at things that the kids, it will go over their heads,” said Chernin.
This show will be many people’s first live theater experience since the pandemic. Something for the actors and the audience to share.
“It really feels magical honestly,” he said.