Patrice Shields Florida Weekly December 2017
The Naples Players’ (TNP) premier Youth Theatre Program KidzAct presents the Holiday Musical Comedy Elf The Musical Jr, December 2-11, 2017. Directed by Craig Price and choreographed by Erica Sample, this modern-day holiday musical comedy classic is based on the beloved New Line Cinema film about Buddy the Elf and his quest to find his true-identity. Elf The Musical Jr. features songs by Tony Award-nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.
“Every body is having so much fun with this show,” said TNP’s Education Director Craig Price. “Elf the Musical Jr. is a total joy to experience just like the movie Elf, but with more music.”
Elf The Musical Jr. follows Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true-identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
“Elf, the Musical, Jr. has been a great opportunity to bring younger actors together with older more experienced actors,” said Price. “Actors eight to eighteen are sharing their experience with each other on stage and off stage making this show has been a great experience for everyone.“
Performances of Elf The Musical Jr. are December 2-11, 2017 at The Naples Players Sugden Theatre in Blackburn Hall. Performances are Saturdays December 2 & 9, 2:00pm and Sundays and Mondays December 3 & 4 and 10 & 11, 7:00pm at the TNP’s Sugden Theater in Blackburn Hall, 701 5th Ave South, Naples, FL. Tickets are $20 and $10 for students & educators.
You will also want to bring your family out to share some holiday magic at Miracle on 34th Street The Musical in Blackburn Hall. Performances of Miracle on 34th Street the Musical are November 29-December 23, 2017. Performances are Wednesdays & Thursdays 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays 8:00pm and Sundays 2:00pm. A Sensory Friendly performance is Tuesday, December 12, 2017; 7:30pm. Sensory friendly performances are designed for families and patrons with autism, Down syndrome and sensory processing disorders, or for individuals who prefer a low-key, all-inclusive environment. Tickets are $45 for adults, $35 for subscribers and $10 for students and educators.
For tickets and more information visit www.naplesplayers.org or call (239) 263-7990 or visit The Naples Players Sugden Theatre Box Office at 701 5th Avenue South, Naples, Monday-Friday: 10:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday: 10:00am to 1:00pm.
The Naples Players KidzAct program offers year-round performing arts classes for ages 3-18. Sign up to audition for KidzAct’s spring productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat or The Taming of the Shrew on December 13 & 14, 2017; 4:00-7:00pm at www.naplesplayers.org or call (239) 434-7340 Ext. 127.