ELF The Broadway Musical Brings Holiday Cheer to Walnut Street Theatre

The charming story of Buddy the elf is here at the Walnut Street Theatre (WST). Travel with Buddy from the North Pole all the way to New York City in ELF The Broadway Musical. The show runs only through December 29.

Based on one of the most beloved holiday films and top streamed films of all time, ELF The Broadway Musical is the story of Buddy, who mistakenly crawled into Santa’s bag as a baby and was raised as an elf! Buddy is 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, he embarks on a journey to New York City with dreams to find his birth father and discover his true identity. What’s an adopted elf to do when he realizes his father is on Santa’s ‘naughty’ list and his half-brother doesn’t believe that there is a Santa Claus? It’s up to Buddy to save Christmas in this hilarious and charming Broadway musical.

ELF is based on the New Line Cinema film by DAVID BERENBAUM and with a book by THOMAS MEEHAN and BOB MARTIN, music by MATTHEW SKLAR, and lyrics by CHAD BEGUELIN. The show premiered on Broadway in 2010, where it was embraced as a hilarious, charming adaptation of a holiday classic. The show features a selection of original songs infused with holiday cheer, including “Happy All The Time,” “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” and “Nobody Cares About Santa.” This holiday season, it’s up to one very tall elf to save Christmas.

GLENN CASALE, who previously directed the Walnut’s Mainstage productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, returns to direct. Casale directed the 2012 Dutch production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, the national tour, and several regional productions in the States. His work also includes the 1999 Broadway revival of Peter Pan, which received a Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Musical, as well as the National Tour of Peter Pan and the A&E television production.

CHRIS BURCHERI returns as Music Director, having just completed Jersey Boys at the Walnut. Burcheri, currently in his fifth season providing music and vocal direction at the Walnut, first took the podium in the 2019-20 season and has led productions such as Rocky the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

ROBBIE ROBY also returns as Choreographer. Roby previously choreographed for the Walnut’s production of Shrek The Musical and his work as a choreographer has also been seen in Broadway Backwards (New Amsterdam Theatre), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (La Mirada and Pittsburgh CLO), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5^th Avenue Theatre), Hairspray (Sugar Loaf PAC), and Little Shop of Horrors (Sacramento Music Circus).

Making his Walnut debut is Broadway and West End star NIC ROULEAU as Buddy the Elf, a human who’s been raised at the North Pole since infancy. Rouleau is best known for his record-breaking 2600 performances as Elder Price in the Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon. Walnut veteran KATHRYN BRUNNER (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) portrays Jovie, a practical Macy’s elf. The jolly BILL VAN HORN (Sherlock Homes: The Adventure of the Speckled Band) appears as the big man himself, Santa Claus.

Walnut favorite FRAN PRISCO (Jersey Boys) returns to the stage as Walter Hobbs, along with KRISTINE FRAELICH (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Emily Hobbs, BONNIE KELLY (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Deb, PAUL

L. NOLAN (A Woman of No Importance) as Mr. Greenway, and TIARA J. GREENE (Elvis – A Musical Revolution) as Macy’s Manager. JOEY CAROTO (Elvis – A Musical Revolution) plays Michael Hobbs, shared with FINN VAJAPEY making his Walnut debut. Boy on Santa’s Lap will be shared by NORA SHUTE in her Walnut debut and FAYE STOCKMAL (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).

Also returning to the Walnut stage as New York locals and North Pole residents are Dance Captain AUDREY BIEHL SIMMONS (Jersey Boys), GIOVANNI DIGABRIELLE (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), KIMBERLY MAXSON (Jersey Boys), SIERRA WILSON (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical), SARA BROPHY (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), EDDIE OLMO II (Jersey Boys), ALEXANDRA FROHLINGER (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), BRETT-MARCO GLAUSER (Mamma Mia!), JESSE JONES (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), and ZUMMY MOHAMMED (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast).

Making their WST Mainstage acting debuts and rounding out the adult cast are MADELINE KENDALL and DOMINICK SANNELLI.

The production’s set has been designed specifically for the Walnut by returning designers. Scenic Designer ROBERT ANDREW KOVACH (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) is joined by Lighting Designer MATT DEMASCOLO (Jersey Boys), Assistant Lighting Designer JEN DONSKY (Jersey Boys), Costume Designer KATE BERGH (Shrek the Musical), and Sound Designer ED CHAPMAN (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast). With cheerful colors and glistening snow, these favorites have brought the North Pole and New York City to the Walnut’s stage, complete with the beautiful Empire State Building.

Don’t walk 3,408 miles from the North Pole to New York when Walnut Street Theatre brings the holidays to you!

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Holiday events in Philly and the suburbs

Here are some festive holiday food and beverage happenings and specials this December in Philadelphia and the suburbs.

Frankford Hall-idays

This December, Frankford Hall is turning up the holiday cheer with its annual Frankford HALL-idays, a festive celebration filled with family-friendly fun, delicious seasonal offerings, and a chance to give back to the community. Featuring Santa visits, kids’ activities, and special holiday food and drinks, it’s the perfect outing for families and holiday enthusiasts alike.

The festivities will take place on the following dates and times, with Santa on-site for photo opportunities.

12/8/2024 (Sunday): 4pm-8pm
12/14/2024 (Saturday): 12pm-4pm
12/15/2024 (Sunday): 12pm-4pm
12/21/2024 (Saturday): 12pm-4pm
12/22/2024 (Sunday): 10am-2pm

Guests can enjoy festive beverage specials like hot cider, Glühwein (mulled wine), hot cocoa (spiked options available), and Christmas beer. Food lovers can look forward to a family-style butcher board and other seasonal surprises. For little ones, PlayArts will lead holiday-themed arts and crafts, keeping the fun going for all ages.

As part of the celebration, Frankford Hall is giving back to the community by selling holiday ornaments, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Lutheran Settlement House, a Fishtown-based nonprofit supporting families in need.

Breakfast with Santa and Lunch with the Grinch at Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia

Breakfast with Santa
Kick off your holiday cheer at Hard Rock Cafe Philly from 10:00a.m. to 11:30a.m. with a magical breakfast buffet hosted by Santa Claus himself. Enjoy the warm ambiance of holiday decorations and iconic Hard Rock memorabilia while savoring a delicious breakfast spread of eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, fresh fruit, and more. Activities include story time with Santa, photo opportunities, a balloon twister, ornament decorating, and other festive surprises. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Lunch with the Grinch
For an afternoon of holiday fun, join The Grinch for a festive lunch buffet from 12p.m to 1:30p.m. Delight in Hard Rock classics like tupelo tenders, twisted mac & cheese, cheeseburger sliders, and more. Guests will also enjoy story time and photos with The Grinch, along with balloon twisting, ornament decorating, and additional holiday fun! Tickets are available for purchase here.

Hard Rock Philly’s Holiday Specials

Celebrate the holiday season with festive cocktails at Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia, crafted to bring warmth and cheer to every gathering. Sip on winter favorites from the new Holiday Menu, like the Sleighride Sangria, a merry mix of red wine, Bombay Sapphire Gin, and Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic, or the bold Blackberry Rocker, blending Teremana Reposado Tequila, blackberries, rosemary simple syrup, and cranberry juice. For a cozy treat, try the Polar Express-o, featuring Jameson® Irish Whiskey, chilled coffee, Kahlúa, and cream – served with a collectible glass!

For a full holiday feast, Hard Rock will be open on Christmas, serving a special holiday menu. 2 courses are $35, and a full three course meal including desserts is $41. Begin with a classic Caesar salad or a seasonal berry salad, followed by entrée options including baby back ribs, steak frites, grilled salmon, and the cranberry burger – a wintry twist featuring red wine cranberry chutney, shoestring onions, arugula, and provolone. End your meal on a sweet note with caramel apple cheesecake.

Holiday Food & Drink Happenings at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Celebrate the holiday season with exciting culinary events and specials at the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, featuring pop-ups, takeovers, and festive delights. Tickets to the museum are required to dine and can be purchased here:

Dec. 20 – Stir Restaurant Takeover:
- Chef Nana of Georgina’s Kitchen brings her acclaimed Ghanaian and West African cuisine to Stir Restaurant, showcasing a unique and flavorful dining experience. Reservations can be made here.
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1 – Down North Pizza Station Takeover:
- Down North Pizza takes over the café’s pizza station, offering their creative and crave-worthy pies.
Dec. 6 – Jan. 3 – Holiday Specials:
- Enjoy festive cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and seasonal holiday desserts available during Friday Night Lounge and at the café.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has decked the halls at their iconic Lobby Bar transforming it into the Rockin’ Holiday Bar through Dec. 31. Along with your favorite bands, the Rockin’ Holiday Bar will feature festive holiday-themed cocktails including the White Christmas Margarita featuring coconut, tequila and lime, the Sugar Cookie Martini crafted with vanilla vodka, Irish cream, butterscotch and half and half, cranberry mimosa featuring champagne, cranberry and ginger beer, and the Peppermint Martini that includes the classic peppermint and creamy vanilla flavors of the season.

Christmas Dinner at Revolution Chop House

Revolution Chop House at Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia invites guests to celebrate the season with a special Christmas dinner featuring a festive menu. Begin with a rich lobster bisque, and for the entrée, guests can choose between braised lamb shank with creamy herb polenta and rosemary mushroom demi-glace or the seven fishes seafood risotto with lobster, halibut, shrimp, and more in a saffron fumet. For a sweet finish, enjoy the Rum Raisin Bread Pudding with eggnog anglaise. This elegant dining experience offers a cozy yet refined setting, perfect for making holiday memories.