Harry Connick Jr.’s Christmas musical ‘Happy Elf’ comes to Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville Nov. 30-Dec. 15
From a press release:
The Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville will present Harry Connick Jr.’s holiday musical “The Happy Elf,” beginning Saturday, Nov. 30 and running through Sunday, Dec. 15.
Director Jim Williams of Dunmore said “The Happy Elf” is about a Christmas Eve miracle. When Eubie, the self-proclaimed “happy elf” in Santa’s workshop, learns that every child in Bluesville is on the naughty list, he heads to the dark town to try and spread some holiday cheer.
Eubie is played by Karl Kleist of Ashley.
“Eubie is trying his hardest to make Molly see the joy of Christmas, to help her be a better person, and to get on the nice list,” Kleist said, adding that playing Eubie is simply a fun and goofy role to play. “It’s hard not to have fun being an elf around Christmastime.”
Molly, played by Madison Chacko of Larksville, is one of the first children Eubie meets upon arriving in Bluesville. “The Happy Elf” features a cast of more than 20.
Williams, who performed in the show at the Scranton Cultural Center five years ago, finds himself making a brief appearance again in this version – as Santa. Alison Scott of Forty Fort plays Mrs. Claus.
“Playing [Santa’s] wife is especially fun in this show because it’s an unspoken (and a little spoken) fact that Mrs. Claus is the one that really runs the show,” Scott explained. “Mrs. Claus is just as fun and jolly as her husband, but she knows when it’s time to be serious and get to work.”
She urges people to see the musical because it is pure holiday fun.
“It’s something for people of all ages to enjoy,” Scott said. “Plus, who doesn’t love the music of Harry Connick Jr., especially around the holidays? It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit.”
With music direction by Hollie Major Baker and choreography by Michael Marone and Marikate Sullivan, “The Happy Elf” opens at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 and continues Dec. 6, 7, 13, and 14. Sunday matinee performances will be held at 3 p.m. on Dec. 1, 8, and 15. For all shows, audience members have the option of purchasing a dinner and show ticket or a “show only” ticket.
Doors at the Music Box (196 Hughes St., Swoyersville) open at 6 p.m., and the meal begins at 6:30 p.m. For matinees, doors open at 1 p.m., with the meal beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Music Box is now offering a Sunday brunch instead of its regular buffet. Brunch and dinner tickets must be purchased in advance.
“Show only” tickets are $20. Brunch buffet and show tickets are $35, and buffet dinner and show tickets are $38. All tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 570-283-2195 or e-mailing reservations@musicbox.org. Additional information is available at musicbox.org.
The Music Box Players are a nonprofit theatre group performing everyone’s favorite musicals and plays at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse. They also produce original as well as nationally known titles for children and maintain educational programs for both teens and younger children in stagecraft and theatre skills.
