By Kristen Weyer.
Here to help you and your kids get in holiday spirit is Harry Connick Jr.’s The Happy Elf now playing at the Argyle Theatre in Babylon. Originally an animated, holiday television special from 2005, the music and lyrics are by Harry Connick Jr., with the book by Lauren Gunderson & Andrew Fishman. The stage production definitely keeps the emotional feel of an animated show with the over-exaggerated reactions and facial expressions that kids tend to love! Directed here by Kate Keating, with lively choreography by Samantha Gates Weber, The Happy Elf is a high-spirited holiday production.
Eubie (played with uber cheerful charm by Chris Martin) is, literally, a happy elf. The happiest in fact. He loves Christmas, and music, and singing, and Santa and…..everything. Most of the other elves find this charming, like his friends Gilda and Hamm (merrily played by Juliana Chimenti and Kyle Geraghty), but not all. The head elf Norbert (amusingly played by Alex Schecter) can’t stand Eubie, practically loathes him and does his best to constantly cause trouble for Eubie. Norbert is continually followed around by his lackey Little Norbert (comically portrayed by Scott Earle). When Eubie discovers that an angry girl, Molly (played by Amanda Geraci with a very convincing bad attitude), and her entire town of Bluesville has been on the naughty list for years, he sets off to rectify the situation in time for Christmas.
Some cute prop choices by Scenic and Prop Designer Grant Weber, and colorful and Christmassy costumes by Joe Kassner fill out the story nicely. Bolstering the performance was wonderful musical direction by Christopher McKee. While not every child in the audience was grabbed by the storyline, most were having a fabulous time! The action picks up greatly in the second act and even involves the actors running through the theatre and talking to the audience, which was a favorite. So, if you’re looking for an energetic and silly show which is chock full of exuberant Christmas spirit, then The Happy Elf is definitely for you!
The fun doesn’t end once the show is over either! The actors are available for photos and autographs in the lobby after the show! While outside food, snacks and beverages are not allowed inside the theater, the concession stand is open before the show and during intermission. There are also booster seats available for those theater goers who could use the added help in order to see over the seats in front of them.