“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” - that’s exactly what the cast of “Elf: The Musical” will do as they take the stage Dec. 7-10 for this year’s musical.
Alliance High School (AHS) will transform into a holiday wonderland in preparation for the musical with a cast of over 100 students in 1st to 12th grade. The musical is based on the hit movie “Elf” featuring the lovable Buddy the Elf who travels from the North Pole to find his family. Fans of the movie will recognize the story and many of the beloved scenes they have enjoyed watching for the past 20 years since its release in 2003.
“Buddy’s naivety and love of all things Christmas makes this show a lighthearted and family-friendly performance for anyone wanting to celebrate the holidays with a laugh,” said Carrie Chunat, choir and musical director at AHS. “With everything going on in the world today, this show is a reminder of the magic the holiday season holds for people of all ages.
Throughout the show, the cast will move around the auditorium making the audience feel as if they are part of the show. It will feature a live pit made up of high school band and orchestra students and professional musicians which will add to the festive and fun atmosphere. The audience is encouraged to sing along and have a great time while watching the musical.
In collaboration with Chunat, the set of the musical was designed and built by the juniors and seniors in the Construction Trades Career Tech Program at AHS.
“Elf: The Musical” will run Thursday, Dec.7, Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets for the show are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $8 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. If a young child will be attending and an adult plans to hold them for the duration of the show, a ticket does not have to be purchased for them. Tickets are reserved seats and are available online at https://singingaviators.ludus.com/index.php. There will also be select tickets available at the door. Information about activities patrons can take part in are in the “Learn More” section of the ticket website.
A livestream will be available for the musical. More information will be shared on the Alliance City Schools website and social media closer to the start of performances.
With this being Chunat’s 25th musical she has directed in her career, she wanted this performance to be special by making the show interactive and having a number of activities for the audience to take part in. Throughout the show, there will be easter eggs of the past productions Chunat has directed for the audience to identify. Audience members can submit their answers to this trivia challenge for the opportunity to win a Christmas Ornament handmade by Alliance High School students.
Clubs and organizations at Alliance High School decorated a Christmas tree to represent what they do. The trees will be in the lobby and will serve as “Papa Elf’s Christmas Tree Farm.” Patrons can vote for their favorite tree by making a monetary donation to the organization. All donations go directly to the organizations. The winning tree will be announced during Sunday’s performance and will receive the title of “World’s Best Christmas Tree.”
Before the Sunday performance, kids will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun activities starting at 2:30 p.m. The activities include games, a gingerbread playhouse, crafts, photo opportunities with the cast and a special visit from Santa Claus himself.
Each showing will also include guest Santas played by Alliance City Schools administrators and notable community members. Patrons will be able to identify as many as possible as part of Chunat’s 25th Anniversary Trivia Contest.
For the first time, Chunat has student leaders who are assisting with the production. The leaders help to oversee and plan the part of the musical they are working on.
The student leaders include:
Kris Blyer as Props Manager
Sydney Haynam as Student Director
Jenna Heslop as Student Director
Kaitlyn White as Stage Manager
The cast of “Elf: The Musical” Includes:
Adam Burse as Buddy
Kacie Bench as Jovie
Kevin Frazier as Walter Hobbs
Sylvia Johnson as Emily Hobbs
Nellie Lanzer as Michael Hobbs
Arabella Barnes as Tiara
Andy Chunat as Santa
Preston Collage as Policeman #1
Anna Eversdyke as Deb
Aaron Farmer as Policeman #2
Jenna Heslop as Perfume Lady
Avery Lewis as Fake Santa
Emily Owens as Manager
Kylee Puckett as Matthews
Makenna Root as Charlie
Josie Root as Mrs. Claus
Alea Simbro as Charlotte Dennon
Lily Walker as Dr. Greenway
La’Kasia Williams as Chadwick
Members of the Chorus include: Natalie Austin, Liz Burns, Alex Cheatham, Brooke Fiegenschuh, Avery Horning, Melody Lin, Grace McGeehen, Gianna Phillips, Rylee Pisino, Imani Ring-Al-Aroud, Chloe Weisenburger
Alliance Middle School: Kaitlynn Brady, Jordan Bugara, Daniel Burse, Gracie Durenda, Khloe Durenda, Kara Eversdyke, Dominic Falconer, Corie Horning, Stella Jackson, Maddy James, Aidan Kern, RiellyAnne Lemmon, Eva Murphy, Isabella Schrader, Brooklyn Schuette, Audrina Wait, Sophia White
Alliance Intermediate School: Micah Braisted, Samara Brown, Alivea Chambers, Adelyn Covel, Gabriel Cox, Natalie Eversdyke, ShaRiyah Fortner, Avery Ganni, Makenzee Hartman, Andrew Horning, Elizabeth Hull, Adelynn Kingan, Declan Mann, Jaylen McElroy, Lydia Moore, Mila Petti, Landon Pringle, Aubree Ross, Aliyah Rounds, Ava Selander, Jaylee Spencer, McKenzie Thomas, Elsie Washington, Kenzie Wilson, Madison Zerkle
Alliance Elementary School: Haley Bates, Reese Braisted, A’Moni Burt, Parker Carli, Makinnah Cobbs, Lennon Davis, Grace-Lynn Edwards, Tyler Gamble, Ava George, Kingston Harmon, Elisa Kern, Emileigh Knapik, Zavara Lindsay, Siya Rana, Sam Root, Aurelia Schneller, Reese Sedei, Adalynn Staggers, Kourtney Wilson
Alliance Early Learning School: Oliver Digianantonio, Aliza Edwards, Natalie Felgenhaurer, Rosaleigh Heft, Savannah Hill, Ahmya Jones, Cora Marinchek, Ellie Morrison, Zoey Ring, Ryleigh Rowe, Addyson Snyder, Jerzee Stevens, Dexter Tolson, Jarren Williams
Orchestra Pit includes: Abigail Anderson, Joss Bowling, Kaia Canavan, Josh Devore, Aaron Farmer, Shaun Fontaine, Gavin Fontaine, Samantha Horn, Emily Johnson, Ethan Jackson, Zachary Kinser, Jenni Jo Kinser, Madyson Kline, Khaleena Mastrodonato, Eva Miller, Emilee Sanor, Billy Sheak, Ian Sherer, Matt Stemple, Zoei Tenney
Stage Crew includes: Ny’Jayah Jones, Mars Jones, Kennedi Masters, Alauna Polozzi, and Jasmine Stephens
Chunat serves as director of the show with Natalie Kern and Heather Shive assisting, with lighting and sound direction by Logan McGee.