Brooke Ferguson

Taking a selfie with some of their castmates, including senior Aidan Cox, who plays Buddy the Elf, junior Brooke Ferguson shows off a sign presenting the arrival of “Elf.” This year’s musical, “Elf” runs Dec. 1-3 in the CPHS PAC. “[Learning a new script is] always kind of a challenge,” Ferguson said. “You get a new cast and you get your own part. I’ve never worked closely with these people before. It’s a different environment and doing character work with someone new, trying to partner work and scene work is interesting. The script is good and it has a lot of jokes, it’ll be a lot of laughs.” Photo by Brooke Ferguson

A mix of unprecedented obstacles, a new cast, a new story and hundreds of hours of hard work has gone into the production for “Elf,” as the theatre department prepares for a performance to show the audience the true meaning of Christmas. 

The musical, starring senior Aidan Cox as Buddy the Elf, will be in the PAC from December 1-3, with showings Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. and afternoon shows Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. 

“Buddy is so different from every role I’ve ever played before,” Cox said. “He is high energy constantly. The second I walk on stage I have to radiate and hit the audience with a massive wave of energy and excitement for everything around me and that’s not something I’ve been able to do before. The role is almost a caricature of who Buddy would be if he was an actual person which is a lot of fun.”

Based on the 2003 film, the musical ran on Broadway in 2010-11 and 2012-13. The story of “Elf” is based around the main character, Buddy, who is raised as an elf but doesn’t realize that he is actually human. He eventually ends up in New York, searching for his father and understanding who he is on the inside himself. The school is using the Broadway version of the script. Junior stage manager Charlotte Adair said that this show is more unique because the school doesn’t usually do such modern shows and it makes it more relatable for the audience.

“We have a new tech director this year and he’s been really helpful with making sure that we have a detailed set for each scene that makes things feel more full,” Adair said. “It’s a little scary during transitions because of all the things we have to move but it has really helped make the production more complete. He makes sure the sets are unique to the scene but also that we can use those pieces for other scenes as well and it’s been really cool to see.”

Usually the musical is put on at the end of January, but this year doing it so much earlier has put the cast under more stress to get everything ready in time. They’ve already had a busy year, packed with the Haunted House, followed by “The Play That Goes Wrong,” the Thespians trip at the Gaylord hotel in Grapevine, and then tech week for “Elf” after that.

“We had a work day while we were out of school and we did a lot of blocking and choreo and we were kind of goofing off,” junior female lead Brooke Ferguson said. “Obviously the moments on stage are really special, but it’s also really the moments when you’re not on stage during rehearsal that make it. We’ve all had some funny moments between characters and sometimes I sit in the audience and we block and all work together. I think these are the moments that make all the stress worth it.”

On top of already having a month less to prepare for “Elf,” choreographer senior Kira Griffin scratched her cornea and wasn’t able to lead the rehearsals in the beginning. There were also some issues with students’ schedules, causing some more rehearsals to be canceled. According to Ferguson, having this extra time cut off to practice adds on some stress about the production.

“The acting between me and Chadwick is really fun because he’s played by my friend Ben and we have really great chemistry,” sophomore Arthur Ce said.  “I think that makes it easier and I relate to [Matthews] like that,” We all blend together pretty well because most of the people play really cartoony and jolly characters and there are some who play depressed New Yorkers. They contrast each other a lot but they also work together really well.”

Ce’s character, Matthews, is a story writer who is oftentimes paired with another character, Chadwick. Ferguson plays a character named Jovie who doesn’t enjoy Christmas and eventually has Buddy the elf show her the true meaning of Christmas.

“I think it’s really funny because she has a pretty short temper and I don’t love saying this about me, but I think sometimes I can be a little quick to make decisions,” Ferguson said. “She’s a little guarded and I think that some of those play into me and how I am with new people. I think it’s really interesting to play a character who is similar to me in a way, but also not because I feel like she doesn’t portray the joy in her life that I hope to portray. Playing those characters can help you see those moments in you and break you out of those habits.”

As stage manager, Adair has to tell the lighting, sound and scenic team when they need to do their part for the show. She keeps track of the blocking in the show and keeps a line of communication with the cast through Remind. According to Adair, initially having an important job in the show is scary, but it’s fun when everything is going well.

“I think I’ve grown closer with the cast this year because I’ve been to every rehearsal and I feel like this is a more happy show and there’s not really a sad part like some of our other shows,” Adair said. “We’re doing a company Secret Santa, so we pulled names before Thanksgiving break and then we get to open one gift everyday before opening night. You get to give a little present and also get one too, so that’s been helping me get through tech week.”

Tickets can be purchased on the theater department’s booster club website.