With two tickets to see Elf at The Ordway, I spent my Friday night downtown Saint Paul. After dodging what seemed like billions of children headed to Disney on Ice at The Xcel Center, I swam up stream through the River Centre to Rice Park. The park glittered with lights, snowflakes danced their way to the ground, and searchlights welcomed all who came for opening night.
Enjoy my review, see the musical, and hopefully, if I'm lucky, I'll have more reviews in the future. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snow, searchlights, and sparkle lead to success for Elf the Musical
Friday, December 7, 2012
Saint Paul, MN - Opening night for Elf the Musical at The Ordway in downtown Saint Paul proved to be quite the fabulous and fancy gathering. Greeted with the first ground-clinging snowfall of the winter months, the downtown area sparkled. Searchlights picked up the glimmer of snowflakes and beamed as far as the eye could see, creating a Red Carpet atmosphere right here in our own cozy city. Not daring to pass the eager Elves without taking a picture first, our jackets were off and The Ordway awe had struck. A towering Christmas tree, compliments of Bachman’s Floral, Home & Garden Centers, climbed each level while garland elves accompanied our steps to the Mezzanine.
Story time with Santa introduces this bright musical to the nearly sold-out audience. Capturing the audience with a gravelly yet refined Mr. Clause voice creates a childhood Santa’s lap flashback as well as that bowl full of Jell-O deep laugh which accompanies every “ho-ho-ho” we hear. Gordon Gray is outstanding, a role very well suited. Plus, who could ever dislike Santa. One of my favorite performances of the night included the song “Nobody Cares About Santa.” While bonding over Chinese food on Christmas Eve these seven dancing Santas bring added life to Act Two.
Saint Paul, MN - Opening night for Elf the Musical at The Ordway in downtown Saint Paul proved to be quite the fabulous and fancy gathering. Greeted with the first ground-clinging snowfall of the winter months, the downtown area sparkled. Searchlights picked up the glimmer of snowflakes and beamed as far as the eye could see, creating a Red Carpet atmosphere right here in our own cozy city. Not daring to pass the eager Elves without taking a picture first, our jackets were off and The Ordway awe had struck. A towering Christmas tree, compliments of Bachman’s Floral, Home & Garden Centers, climbed each level while garland elves accompanied our steps to the Mezzanine.
Story time with Santa introduces this bright musical to the nearly sold-out audience. Capturing the audience with a gravelly yet refined Mr. Clause voice creates a childhood Santa’s lap flashback as well as that bowl full of Jell-O deep laugh which accompanies every “ho-ho-ho” we hear. Gordon Gray is outstanding, a role very well suited. Plus, who could ever dislike Santa. One of my favorite performances of the night included the song “Nobody Cares About Santa.” While bonding over Chinese food on Christmas Eve these seven dancing Santas bring added life to Act Two.
Now to mention Buddy: he enjoys spaghetti with syrup, sings loudly for all to hear, and smiles because well, that is his favorite thing to do. Matt Kopec takes on a large role, filled by shoes of Will Ferrell in Elf the movie (2003), with enthusiasm, frolics, and a noticeable bounce in every step. The clear, concise voice of this tight-clad Elf radiate throughout the entire performance. Being an Elf is not easy in the big city of New York; finding love, making special hugs – added for the adults, eh – and causing the city to believe is a task only Kopec could concur.
Although Kopec is the lead character, do not overlook Kate Hennies. Hennies character, Jovie – a hint of Scrooge in an Elf costume with a fabulous voice, captures the female audience with her charm, hope for love, and down-to-earth attitude. Learning this is her national tour debut holds promising for this young blonde. Keep your eye on Hennies, as she is no more than one step behind a role such as Amy Adams in Enchanted.
While movie scenes pop in and out of remembrance, the audience is swept away into a further tale of the personalities and stories the performance offers. Adding personalization, modernization – Santa owns an iPad now, folks – and comedy one truly is able to focus on the show right then and there. The warm, fuzzy feelings from Elf the Musical touch all. The holidays really are about being surrounded by friends and family, singing loudly, and those that are lucky will get that special hug.
Elf the Musical runs now through Sunday, December 30, 2012. Visit www.theordway.org to purchase tickets online or call the box office at 651.224.4222 to purchase tickets over the phone. Tickets start at just $35 plus fees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If the review wasn't enough to convince you to get your own tickets (don't forget student friends - there are rush tickets available night of based on availability) here are pictures capturing the ambiance The Ordway offered.
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