DPAC's Production of "Elf The Musical" Earns a Spot on the Nice List

ELF North American Tour Company, 2025. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphymade.

 It’s getting to be the time of year where you just want to curl up with a bowl of sugary, syrupy spaghetti and maybe go on a search for your long-lost father. Or, at least that’s what you’d want to do if you were Buddy the Elf—the central character in Elf The Musical, a classic Christmas production, inspired by the 2003 film, currently on stage at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)  just in time for the holiday season.

This silly, sweet, and incredibly heartwarming musical features a book by two Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin and is packed with memorable songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. This fab foursome sticks fairly close to the familiar film story, but the minor alterations and the addition of musical numbers hit all the right notes. In fact, the musical is just as enjoyable (maybe even more so) as the beloved movie.

Here, Buddy’s story is told in all its glorious, extra excitable detail. And, just in case you’re not familiar, Buddy, acted by a giddy and totally endearing Jack Ducat, is an extra tall elf at Santa’s workshop, living happily and obliviously among his fellow elves . . . until he learns that he’s adopted and actually not an elf at all. Shocked at the news that he’s human, Buddy goes on a quest to glitzy Manhattan to reunite with his rich father, Walter Hobbs. 

This father, portrayed by a serious-faced Jeff Brooks, is a workaholic children’s book publisher who has lost the Christmas spirit. He’s even—much to Buddy’s horror—on the naughty list. Even worse, Walter is less than happy to meet Buddy and has some serious doubts about his story. However, Buddy’s stepmother, Emily Hobbs, tenderly acted by Yara Martin, allows him to stick around, wreaking havoc on their apartment, their lives, and even on Macy’s, the famed department store where he lands a short-lived job in Santa’s artificial workshop. It is there that he meets co-worker and potential love interest Jovie (Felicia Martis). Despite (quite) a few missteps, Buddy works hard to bond with his newfound family and spread holiday cheer in the Big Apple and around the globe.

And, speaking of holiday cheer, it was out in full force on November 26th’s opening night. The holiday spirit was palpable as the curtain opened on Santa (Andrew Hendrick), the show’s narrator, and it stayed warm and present through every magical moment, thanks largely to Philip Wm. McKinley’s whimsical direction and Liam Steel’s show-stealing choreography. Dances ran the gamut from jazzy numbers to larger-than-life tap dance routines. Nothing, however, beats the baton-twirling, garland-jump-roping choreo for “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” which was just as much fun to watch as the song title is to say. Coming in as a close second, though, was the everybody-in-sync dance routine for “The Story of Buddy the Elf,” a heartwarming second act song.

During this song in particular, one of the youngest cast members really shines. The adorable Camden Kwok is never out of his depth in his role as Michael Hobbs, Buddy’s precious little brother. He sings beautifully, dances like a pro, and brings real emotional depth to every sentimental moment. He shares a sweet chemistry with both Martis, who plays her part with a quiet tenderness, and the always-funny Ducat.

Ducat has a difficult task in bringing to life a character who is always “on,” always loud, and who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, yet he handles the role with ease. Acting as though he’s on a real, syrup-induced sugar high from beginning to end, Ducat is always a blast. More importantly, he’s also incredibly believable. Through his characterization, Buddy isn’t just a joke. He’s a person with a heart of gold, and Ducat’s layered acting draws attention to the fact that, at its core, this story is about real human feelings and the power of allowing the very best and kindest ones to shine. Martis’ turn as Jovie is equally inspired. With her husky voice and beautiful curls, she brings a unique charm to the role. Though her character starts out as down-trodden, she’s believably bright by the end, showcasing Martis’ range. 

There are some other surprise standouts in the cast as well. Darius J. Manuel is oh-so-funny as the put-upon store manager, and Katelyn Lauria’s joking Deb, Mr. Hobbs’ secretary, is a real delight. Even the policemen (Kabir Gandhi and Tanner Gleeson) who help Buddy find his way home are memorably jolly, and Hendrick’s secondary portrayal of the grumpy Mr. Greenway may be villainous, but it is decidedly not charmless. 

In addition to the stellar cast, the show is packed with magical special effects. A scrolling screen sets every scene, and Santa’s sleigh soars high into the sky. There’s even realistic snow and the funniest elf dance you could ever imagine. The end result is a joy-packed holiday show that hits you right in the festive feels. Elf The Musical is everything you could want in a family-friendly Christmas show and deserves a spot on every holiday to-do list.

-Susie Potter