elf the musical tour 2023 london

Elf The Musical

Marking the 20th anniversary of the original release of the motion picture featuring Will Ferrell , a worldwide success that has since become a holiday perennial, the smash-hit musical adaptation of Elf returns to London’s Dominion Theatre for a second consecutive year for a strictly limited season from 15 November 2023 until 6 January 2024.

Elf  is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts as a baby and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf! Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities finally cause him to face the truth and realise he’ll never belong in the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

Matthew Wolfenden joins the cast as Buddy with Tom Chambers as Walter Hobbs.

Reprising their roles are Georgina Castle (Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia) as Jovie , Rebecca Lock (The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q) as Emily Hobbs , Nicholas Pound (Cats, The Rocky Horror Show) as Santa , Kim Ismay (Wicked, Saturday Night Fever) as Debs and Dermot Canavan (Hairspray, Oklahoma!) as Store Manager. Further casting is to be announced, including new actors featured in the roles of Buddy and Walter Hobbs.

Buddy - Matthew Wolfenden

Jovie - Georgina Castle

Emily Hobbs - Rebecca Lock

Santa - Nicholas Pound

Debs - Kim Ismay

Store Manager - Dermot Canavan

Walter Hobbs - Tom Chambers

Alternate Buddy - Ben Lancaster

Michael Hobbs - Jude Farrant, Daniel Lee, Oliver Ravelini and Austin Riley

Male Ensemble - Rhys Batten, Alex Given, Morgan Gregory, Samuel John-Humphreys, Dominic Lamb and Theo Reece

Female Ensemble - Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Marie Finlayson, Aimée Fisher, Farirayi Garaba, Chloe Saunders, Katie Warsop and Natalie Woods

Swing - Kier Hylands and Jessica Spalis

Swing / Assistant Dance Captain - Ellis Linford-Pill

Swing / Dance Captain - Heather Scott-Martin

Book by - Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin

Songs by - Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin

Directed by - Philip Wm. McKinley

Choreographer - Liam Steel

Set and Costume Designer - Tim Goodchild

Lighting Designer - Patrick Woodroffe

Sound by - Gareth Owen

Video designer - Ian William Galloway

Casting - Grindrod Burton Casting

Age Suitability For This Show

The Dominion Theatre age restriction is 4+.

Unlike film, theatre doesn't have an official age classification organisation. That means all age recommendations are subjective and should be treated as guidelines unless otherwise stated. With this in mind, we ask you to use your judgement in regards to a show’s suitability prior to purchase. However, we are more than happy to help you make a decision. Please email our Customer Care team to find out more about your chosen show.

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Disney’s the lion king, the tiger who came to tea, harry potter and the cursed child, get more from your ticket, stk steakhouse – free welcome drink, q-park – 50% off.

Unlike film, theatre doesn't have an official age classification organisation. That means all age recommendations are subjective and should be treated as guidelines unless otherwise stated. With this in mind, we ask you to use your judgement in regards to a show’s suitability prior to purchase. However, we are more than happy to help you make a decision. Please email [email protected] to find out more about your chosen show.

Official London Theatre New Year Sale With our annual Sale, you can get £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 tickets to many of London’s biggest shows for performances from 1 January to 29 February 2024. Plus, there are no hidden costs so the price you see is the price you pay.

ELF the Musical Tickets

About ELF the Musical

Make sure your winter West End theatre trips are sparklejollytwinklejingly with Elf in London. Everyone’s favourite buddy returns to the West End just in time for Christmas 2023. Elf tickets are available on London Theatre now.

The Elf musical is based on the 2003 film of the same name, but there's a major difference between the Elf film and Elf on stage. While Papa Elf plays a crucial role in the Elf film, you won't see him on stage. Instead, you'll see a lot more of Santa Claus — it is Christmastime after all. Plus, there's a few more references to Christmases in the 2020s rather than the early 2000s.

Elf premiered at the Dominion Theatre in 2015, starring Jay McGuiness as Buddy. Simon Lipkin then played Buddy in 2022. The Christmas spirit returns to the Dominion Theatre for Elf London performances in 2023.

What is Elf the Musical about?

The Elf musical is based on the hit Christmas film of the same name. Elf centres around Buddy, a lovable yet awkward misfit. As a young boy, Buddy accidentally found himself inside Santa’s sack and eventually grew up in the North Pole with Santa and his elves. Even though he's raised as an elf alongside other elves, Buddy struggles to fit in with fellow hardworking elves. Once Buddy gets older, he learns that he isn't an elf, but a human. How is this possible?

To learn where he really comes from, Buddy heads to New York to reunite with his birth father. But Buddy's never ventured outside of the North Pole before. How will he behave? What happens in New York? How do you get around? While in New York, Buddy learns a great deal about himself and the wider world. And with Santa crashing in Central Park, can Buddy the Elf share the Christmas spirit?

Elf is a landmark Christmas film, so you can expect plenty of festive songs to be stuck in your head once you’ve seen the musical. Listen out for songs including “Christmastown,” “There is a Santa Claus,” and “The Story of Buddy the Elf", a musical number that sees Buddy relays how he ended up in the North Pole in the first place.

Tickets to Elf are available on London Theatre now. Book your Elf tickets on London Theatre today.

November 15th, 2023

January 6th, 2024

Dominion Theatre

Children under the age of 4 cannot be admitted to the auditorium. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket.

188 reviews on Show-Score

ELF the Musical cast and creative team

By : Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin Songs by: Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin Director : Phillip Wm. McKinley Choreography : Liam Steel Cast list : Matthew Wolfenden (as Buddy), Tom Chambers (as Walter Hobbs), Georgina Castle (as Jovie), Rebecca Lock (as Emily Hobbs), Nicholas Pound (as Santa), Kim Ismay (as Debs), Dermot Canavan (as Store Manager) Design : Tim Goodchild Costume : Tim Goodchild Lighting : Patrick Woodroffe Sound : Gareth Owen Other info: Video design by Ian William Galloway

Location: West End Railway station: Euston Bus numbers: (Tottenham Court Road Station) 7, 10, 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 242; (New Oxford St) 1, 8, 25, 55, 98, 176, 390 Night bus numbers: (Tottenham Court Road Station) 7, 10, 14, 24, 134, 242, N7, N29, N35, N68, N73, N253, N279; (New Oxford Street) 25, 176, 390, N1, N8, N41, N55, N98, N171, N207 Car park: YMCA Great Russell Street (2mins), Holborn Selkirk House Museum Street (5mins) Directions from tube: The theatre can be seen from the station, on the corner of the crossroads between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street.

More information about ELF the Musical

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Latest ELF the Musical News & Features

Matthew wolfenden and tom chambers to star in 'elf the musical', ‘elf’ to return to the dominion theatre.

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ELF the Musical Tickets

About ELF the Musical

Son of a nutcracker! London’s “ultimate Christmas show” (Smooth FM), ELF The Musical returns to spread festive cheer at the Dominion Theatre this winter. Based on the beloved film, this “wow, wow, wow... absolutely brilliant!” (Heart Radio) holiday favourite dazzles the West End for a strictly limited season only from 15 November 2023 to 6 January 2024.

ELF is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawled into Santa’s bag as a baby and was raised as an elf! Way too tall and not so great at his job, Buddy is the North Pole’s biggest misfit… and knows he’ll never belong. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York to find his birth father (who turns out to be quite high on the Naughty List). After causing some merry mayhem in Manhattan, Buddy finally discovers the gift of family and falls in love. And when Santa’s sleigh crashes in Central Park, it’s Buddy who finds a way to save Christmas forever!

It's “full to the brim with Christmas Spirit” (Classic FM) so if smiling’s your favourite, don’t miss ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre.

Stay on the nice list – get your tickets now!

November 15th, 2023

January 6th, 2024

Dominion Theatre

Children under the age of 4 cannot be admitted to the auditorium. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket.

188 reviews on Show-Score

ELF the Musical cast and creative team

By : Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin Songs by: Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin Director : Phillip Wm. McKinley Choreography : Liam Steel Cast list : Matthew Wolfenden (as Buddy), Tom Chambers (as Walter Hobbs), Georgina Castle (as Jovie), Rebecca Lock (as Emily Hobbs), Nicholas Pound (as Santa), Kim Ismay (as Debs), Dermot Canavan (as Store Manager) Design : Tim Goodchild Costume : Tim Goodchild Lighting : Patrick Woodroffe Sound : Gareth Owen Other info: Video design by Ian William Galloway

Location: West End Railway station: Euston Bus numbers: (Tottenham Court Road Station) 7, 10, 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 242; (New Oxford St) 1, 8, 25, 55, 98, 176, 390 Night bus numbers: (Tottenham Court Road Station) 7, 10, 14, 24, 134, 242, N7, N29, N35, N68, N73, N253, N279; (New Oxford Street) 25, 176, 390, N1, N8, N41, N55, N98, N171, N207 Car park: YMCA Great Russell Street (2mins), Holborn Selkirk House Museum Street (5mins) Directions from tube: The theatre can be seen from the station, on the corner of the crossroads between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street.

Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.

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Elf! the Musical Tickets

Santa’s most enthusiastic helper is back on stage! The festive favourite musical returns for a strictly limited season this winter.

Festive Fun With Elf The Musical Tickets

About elf the musical, what songs are in elf the musical, elf the musical cast, tickets for elf at the dominion theatre available now.

Sorry this show closed 06 January 2024, we recommend these similar productions.

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Elf The Musical

Dominion Theatre , London's West End

About This Show

ELF the smash-hit musical returns to London in a new production at the Dominion Theatre for a strictly limited 8-week season, previewing from 14 November and opening 24 November 2022, with the season finishing on 7 January 2023.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, ELF features a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

ELF is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts as a baby and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf! Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities finally cause him to face the truth and realise he’ll never belong in the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Children under the age of 4 cannot be admitted to the theatre.

Children aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult (at least 1 adult per 10 children). All patrons, regardless of age must have a valid ticket.

Show Details

WhatsOnStage Review

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Elf the Musical

• Theatre, Musicals
• 4 out of 5 stars
• Recommended

Time Out says

The stage adaptation of the beloved Will Ferrell film bounds joyously back into town

This review is from 2022. ‘Elf’ returns for Christmas 2023. 

‘Elf the Musical’ rolls back into the West End with the same blunt-force charm as Buddy, its star. The last time this production was at the Dominion Theatre, in 2015, it was the venue’s fastest-selling show in nearly a century. It’d be a huuuge surprise if it’s not a success this time either.

Apart from a few tweaks and a couple of excised characters, the story largely follows the smash-hit 2003 Will Ferrell movie vehicle that’s now a perennial Christmas favourite. Titular hero Buddy’s Teflon-coated cheer can’t disguise the fact that he’s suspiciously tall for an elf. When Santa Claus breaks the news to him that he is, in fact, a human, Buddy sets out from the North Pole to find his real father in New York City.   

The influences on the film and this show are legion, particularly ’80s fish-out-of-water classics like ‘Big’. Buddy arrives to find a fraught New York, full of Christmas as a sales pitch, but not with its spirit. His father, Walter Hobbes, is a harried, snappy publisher of kids’ books with no time for the young son he actually knows he has. (Buddy was the result of a college romance, whose mother died without ever telling Walter.) From initially stumbling onto the shop floor of department store Macy’s, to inveigling his way into Walter’s office and then his home, Buddy’s open-handed, child-like joy shows everyone he meets the true meaning of Christmas.

This show lives or dies depending on its Buddy. Thankfully, Simon Lipkin knocks it out of the park. There are shades of Will Ferrell in his performance, but he brings an innocence that feels distinct. He tempers what could easily be an annoyingly consistent optimism with some killer line deliveries. He never descends into saccharine. Meanwhile, as Walter, Tom Chambers is grumpy and overworked rather than a full Scrooge. It lends a welcome trace of reality to the show’s otherwise cartoon altitude. Elsewhere, in a show largely focused on male relationships, Rebecca Lock and Georgina Castle still make their characters spark as Walter’s wife, Emily, and Buddy’s would-be girlfriend, Jovie, respectively.  And Kim Ismay, as Walter's assistant, Deb, pretty much steals every scene she's in.   

Philip Wm McKinley’s production is a fast-paced, Tim Burton-esque visual feast, full of exaggerated angles, art deco stylings and slick projections. There are throwaway references to modern tech – and some jarringly attempts to crowbar in some British-isms – but this is really a fantasia. It whirls you up in a Technicolor dream of Christmas, with Liam Steel’s choreography rarely giving you time for breath. Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin’s script is quippy and witty, while Chad Beguelin’s knowing lyrics stay on the right side of affectionate rather than arch. There are a couple of subplot cul-de-sacs and a few dodgy moments (particularly the initial presentation of a Chinese restaurant). But propelled by Matthew Sklar’s score – which hits all the right joyful/bittersweet notes – this is a slickly irresistible and fizzily enjoyable confection of a show. You may find yourself feeling festive even before Santa makes his final act appearance.

RECOMMENDED: More  Christmas shows  in London 

Find more festive fun with our guide to  Christmas in London

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ELF The Musical

• Date 27 & 28 Dec, 2023
• Doors Open 1hr Before Show
• On Sale On Sale Now

Our awesome Suite Experiences gives up to 16 people an unforgettable time. Welcome drink. Suite host to look after your every whim. Pre-show drinks and dining. Private seats and dancing area.  More on Suites here.

Looking to book by invoice? Get in touch with the team for details.

Already got your ticket?  Beat the queues and enter via our Black & White Lounge. The upgrade includes a branded food box with a drink, free tea and coffee for adults, glitter face painting, a colouring activity, and private bathrooms with baby changing facilities.

Event Details

ELF, the hit Hollywood blockbuster movie has been supersized into a live arena spectacular for this Christmas with a massive stage featuring amazing film backdrops on a huge LED screen plus a mobile stage that travels the auditorium, so everyone gets a close-up view of the action.

The presentation features Santa’s flying sleigh, an audience snowball fight indoor snowstorm, a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, aerial cirque stars and giant tv screens so you don’t miss any of the spectacles.

The story is hilariously recreated by a large cast of performers into the biggest live Christmas show in the UK. The festive spectacular will feature West End star Steven Serlin stepping into the big floppy shoes of Will Ferrell to play Buddy the Elf. The cast also features ‘Birds Of A Feather’ comedy actor Charlie Quirke as Buddy’s New York pal, Charlotte Hall as Jovie, Buddy’s love interest and Barry Bloxham as Buddy’s long-suffering dad.

This Christmas Spectacular production features a book written by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers and Hairspray) and an original score of great songs by Matt Sklar and Chad Beguelin that has delighted audiences on Broadway and the West End.

Elf the Musical Tickets

• Musical Ticket
• Entry/Admission - Dominion Theatre
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travellers can participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

• 291marym291 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Loved the film, not so keen on show It felt from the beginning very amateurish, the casting was not the best, I think because it was Easter maybe understudies were being used, never felt captured and disappointed with the music, Sorry Read more Written 31 March 2024
• masonf415 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles First half didnt make much sense I bought my girlfriend and I tickets for her Christmas present and she loved it so much being a musical fan. The music was amazing, the set design was great. My favourite part was when they first brought in the wizard. However I'm not sure if im a bit slow but I struggled to understand the storyline till about the second half of the show which made me not enjoy it as much. If i go again I can agree that my opinion would be different since I know what to expect. this review is based on the Melbourne Australia show. Its the same production as what is in London/New york etc Read more Written 29 March 2024
• Jean-Michel2a 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Show. First with the show: Fantastic prequel to the show, a real visual treat and some fantastic special effects. Immersive theatre at it’s best. Acting was excellent. Sound was great and used effectively. We all really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to any fan of the Netflix show. In terms of the Theatre: nice venue, pleasant staff but seats are quite small so can be uncomfortable if you need leg room. Read more Written 29 March 2024
• LorraineP287 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Belly laughing at its best!! What an amazing performance, the lead of Daniel was off the scale with talent. If you want to laugh out loud , lead the applause coz it’s funny you should see this feel good show. I wanted to hug the kids so hard as their performance was heart warming. Go see this show if you want to laugh out loud, wee a little bit but mainly enjoy yourself ….you’re there !!! Read more Written 28 March 2024
• Maps229804 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful Afternoon Tea We had a wonderful time enjoying afternoon tea at the park room. The room is so beautiful with many flowers and the food and tea were excellent. We received superb service from Siri who is a fantastic server and person. I highly recommend going there if you want to enjoy a great high tea. Read more Written 26 March 2024
• 639martinw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Go while the event is still running - it’s an amazing experience This is a not to be missed experience. Handy if you know at least some of ABBA’s back catalogue but if not the staging/lighting/visuals were amazing. Basically you feel like you are watching a ‘Live’ concert. As a tech person I was keen to see how everything would work together - live band too added to the interactive experience. We were lucky as we went as a group by coach so door to door service but for independent travel there is a DLR station literally across the road. For people who don’t want to be in the waiting area with 3000 others then my tip would be to cross over the road to ‘Snoozebox’ - a drink and food venue made from containers. Plenty of seating, live DJ/music and a couple of bars - one near the main entrance and one through in the back section of the site. Toilets with no queues too which is a bonus. Good vibe and 80’s music playing to get you in the mood before the main ‘Abba’ event. All in all something not to be missed Read more Written 26 March 2024
• V2962SWstevem 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A MUST WHILE IN LONDON Loved It and a must when visiting London especially if you are an Abba Fan. Very well organised and well run. Good Bars and choice of snacks before the show. The 90 minute show is amazing and so nice that phones are banned so you can enjoy the show. Great sound and amazing lights and atmosphere. Be warned as the venue is quite a distance from the city centre so give yourself plenty of time. Read more Written 26 March 2024
• lizsU3206KO 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Book it !!!!! There is a reason photos and videos are banned.... Hands down this is the BEST show I have ever seen. We had seats but it was hard to keep still (until the end) what an amazing show, my mind was blown !!! despite other reviews saying the area was cold, IT WASNT, the merch was reasonablly priced in my opinion, it was also easy to get a drink at the bar despite the crowd. They did all the hits only 1 I didnt know off the new album. I was in tears all the way through !! Read more Written 25 March 2024
• DaveP113 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great ABBA eperience An opportunity arose to see ABBA Voyage at short notice. Went to the website on the Tuesday and booked tickets for the dance floor for the Friday. There seemed to be plenty of spare allocation. Decided to stay in the Canary Wharf area. Took the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Canary Wharf to Pudding Mill Lane. Regular trains and only about 15 minutes journey. Pudding Mill station is right next to the ABBA arena giving a very short walk. Electronic tickets gave easy access to the stadium and security checks were minimal but quick and reassuring. Within the stadium there were food and drink outlets and despite the number of customers it was easy to get served. The event started on time and there was a great atmosphere. The concert was fantastic, the band and sound were great and it was difficult to believe that ABBA were not really present. The length of concert was 90 minutes. Leaving the concert was easy and getting back onto the DLR hassle free. With dance floor tickets in the region of £100 I would highly recommend this experience. Read more Written 25 March 2024
• Sharon E 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles I must see event whilst in London - loved it! Wow wow wow! I nearly cried! This show was amazing. Being 52 and from OZ I never got to see ABBA in concert and well after going to ABBA voyage I certain feel like I had got close to it! Thank you❤️ ABBA Voyage stadium is easy to get to from central London from train Read more Written 25 March 2024
• PaulH574 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles 10th visit to Les Mis in 39 years - by far Sondheim Theatre Mar-24 is at the bottom Les Miserables is simply the best musical - Andrew Lloyd Webber tried - but Les Mis melody story and passion is the greatest. You cannot spoil - or so I thought. I last watched in Norwich Sep-22 with Nic Greenshields and Dean Chisnell - production and singing and emotions was true to the premier status this musical holds - all have seen Alfie and the 4 Tenors deliver this masterpiece. Alas the current offering was not sprinkled with any stardust. Living off another great orchestral offering and the genius of Mackintosh Schonberg Boubil the evening was great - however at the current level of production, a children's version may have made more impact. I appreciate Milan VW is new to the role however the interaction between Jean V and Javert was akin to Frankie Howard arguing with Rigsby - Milan is no tenor - a fiver at best! Lighting and stage - in Norwich which is a larger theater - the new graphics worked well - however at the Sondheim the spot was knocked off character a couple of times and the Javert death was over lit losing the effect completely. Expected way more from a Shaftsbury production. Costume - what was the blond wig for JV in the final scene!! The cast got a standing ovation and the large German man in front of me shed a couple of tears - if he had seen Colm / Ball / Boe / Allam / Ruffelle / Caine / Armstrong he would have had a benchmark and his tears would have been in frustration. Hope the cast grows together - however think the production will lose Milan in the summer if Butlins are running a Carry On season. Apologies for such negative comment - this will not be published - however this production really upset me and wasted a day of my life - sorry! Read more Written 24 March 2024
• ReneC283 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Not up there with the best It was a very average show. None of the songs were memorable. Not suitable for young kids. A few laughs but not particularly funny. Having seen lots of West End shows many times, this is not one I would repeat. Read more Written 24 March 2024
• Pappleton 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Great show, awful seats. The show was simply excellent. If you’re a fan of the film, you will not be disappointed. Acting is excellent. Very funny and moving at parts. Singing is beautifully done too. The music is kinda forgettable, but that doesn’t matter, as the show overall is worth the trip. Awful seats in the stalls mind you (row E). No problem with viewing etc, they were just so uncomfortable. Crammed in far too tight in all directions. Not good. Read more Written 24 March 2024
• CardiffFlynny 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience Loved this experience Was difficult to get your head around as they looked and sounded real! The special effects are breathtaking Sat in block D B33/34 which were very close to the open dance floor and perfect seats Great live band , singers were really good My only concern was the number of people crammed into the dance area which kept spilling out onto the steps to the seated area It didn’t impact on anyone seated but there were 2 members of staff struggling to contain people and requests by them to ask people to move down were ignored Read more Written 24 March 2024
• Sarah D D 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tipped into 1st position Had the delight of sitting in Stalls P19 P20 last night, which was great seating for stage, but slightly more forward, you could incorporate the elephant and widmill into this sensory extravaganza. High energy show, with clever twists on modern songs, while still retaining the films big numbers. Now, my all-time favourite musical, the production, set, choreography actors were stunning, a feast! LGBGT absorbed effortlessly into the fold. Well done, great night out. Read more Written 24 March 2024

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In 1979, San Diego Junior Theatre alumni Casey Nicholaw and Gregg Barnes met for the first time in rehearsals for The Old Globe’s “The Robber Bridegroom” musical. Nicholaw played a teen character named “Goat.” Barnes played a wood plank and a frog.

Nicholaw’s acting career would eventually sputter out and Barnes jokes that he only acted so he had an excuse to wear mascara. Fortunately for the lifelong friends, their considerable other talents have made them the toast of Broadway.

Over the past nearly 46 years, the buddies have amassed a collective five Tony Awards and 23 nominations — Nicholaw for directing and choreography, Barnes for costume design. They’ve also worked together on 12 musicals, including the Broadway productions of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Elf,” “Something Rotten!,” “Tuck Everlasting,” “Mean Girls,” “The Prom” and last year’s “Some Like It Hot.”

But the Broadway collaboration that has brought them the most success and some of their greatest satisfaction is “Aladdin,” which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Broadway March 20 and returns to their hometown next week in a national tour at the San Diego Civic Theatre. “Aladdin” now ranks among the top 10 highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time and it’s the 15th longest-running show in Broadway history, according to BroadwayWorld.

“Aladdin” is based on Disney’s 1992 animated film, which was inspired by the 18th-century “Arabian Nights” folktales about a young man who discovers a genie in a magic lamp that grants Aladdin wishes to help him win the heart of a sultan’s daughter. The 2014 Broadway musical features several additional songs, as well as four new human characters who replace the animated parrot Iago and monkey Abu from the film. Nicholaw directed and choreographed the musical and Barnes designed the costumes.

The two men talked about their long friendship and about “Aladdin” last week in a joint Zoom call. Nicholaw was in Hamburg, Germany, where Disney’s “Hercules” musical (he’s directing, Barnes designed costumes) is now in previews. Barnes was in London, where he’s designing costumes for an upcoming musical adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Nicholaw got choked up at one point talking about how much he treasures his friendship with Barnes. “It’s the best feeling in the world to know that you’ve known someone that long.”

Twenty-four years after they met in “The Robber Bridegroom,” Nicholaw and Barnes were hired by director Des McAnuff for a 2003 Frank Sinatra-themed show at Radio City Music Hall (Nicholaw choreographed the piece and Barnes designed costumes).

They enjoyed that collaboration in “Sinatra” so much that they teamed up again for the Old Globe’s 2004 production of “Lucky Duck.” Two years later, Nicholaw made his Broadway directing debut in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and Barnes’ costumes for the show won him the first of his three Tony awards. (Nicholaw has two Tonys, for co-directing “The Book of Mormon” and choreographing “Some Like It Hot.”)

After “Drowsy,” the pals found every opportunity to work together. Nicholaw said that because he and Barnes grew up in San Diego with similar interests and share the same Southern California pop culture memories — particularly a deep passion for Disneyland — they have developed their own verbal shorthand for developing ideas.

“When we were working on designs for ‘Aladdin,’ Casey would say, ‘you know the last lap of It’s a Small World?” Barnes said, referring to the classic Disneyland ride. From just those 10 words, Barnes said he instantly knew the costume color palette Nicholaw wanted for the musical’s final scene.

Nicholaw and Barnes were working on the 2010 musical “Elf” in a New York rehearsal studio when they stumbled upon an early workshop for “Aladdin” taking place in the same building.

“We walked into the hallway and we could hear this energy coming from the room,” Barnes recalled. “We weren’t part of it yet but I remember thinking whoever gets to work on this, it’s going to be a very big event, never thinking it would be me.”

“Aladdin” had its first tryout in Seattle in 2011, then underwent major rewrites before it tried out again in Toronto. But Nicholaw said the show still wasn’t working after Toronto, so about a third of the script was scrapped, scenes were moved around and songs were rewritten. By the time it finally arrived on Broadway it was in solid shape.

Barnes said the lush and imaginative costumes he designed for “Aladdin,” drew on inspiration from the Orientalist paintings of Victorian England, Hollywood kitsch and the animated Disney film. He also got helpful direction from Nicholaw, who looked through Barnes’ folders of research materials early in the process.

“His eye is so acute. He could look at it and say ‘there’s something here’ or ‘this really intrigues me’ and he gives me so many of the keys to it that are already in his head that I just try to pay attention,” Barnes said.

Ten years in, “Aladdin” is still selling at 95 percent capacity in Manhattan’s 1,700-seat New Amsterdam Theatre. There are also ongoing tours in North America and the U.K., and long-running productions at theaters in Japan and Spain.

Nicholaw credits the success of “Aladdin” to its multigenerational appeal. Much of the audience is adults, who first saw “Aladdin” when they were children and they’re now attending the show as either a date night or to introduce the story to their children or grandchildren. As testament to the show’s appeal to grown-ups, “Aladdin” has the highest alcoholic beverage sales of all Disney Broadway shows.

Nicholaw praised Thomas Schumacher and Anne Quart of Disney Theatrical Group for making the “Aladdin” company, both onstage and backstage, a harmonious and happy ensemble over the years. “They have really treated people well ... it’s such a great experience.”

Asked to describe why the show has outlasted more than a hundred other Broadway shows that have opened (and closed) in the past 10 years, Nicholaw said: “It’s a really good time, a good story, a great score and it’s sort of an aged-up version of the movie.”

Barnes’ thoughts? “It has everything — heart, spectacle and humor, and it appeals to all of our past with our families. Certainly it’s not just for kids.”

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday ; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday ; 7:30 p.m. April 5; 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 6; 1 and 7:30 p.m. April 7

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 110 Third Ave., Downtown

Tickets: $34 and up

Online: broadwaysd.com

[email protected]

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