"Elf!" the musical
at Cardinal O'Hara High School

Reviewed on December 2, 2023

Sarah Gorenstein
Friends Select School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - Wordpress Site #1

The cast and crew at Cardinal O'Hara High School will certainly be making the "nice list" this year with their production of Elf! The company phenomenally captured the "sparklejollytwinklejingley" of the classic Christmas tale.

Elf!: The Musical is based on the loveable New Line Cinema film, Elf, written by David Berenbaum. With book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin the musical follows Buddy the Elf on his quest to discover his true identity. As Buddy ventures into New York City and learns that his father is on the "naughty list" he is determined to help all remember the true meaning of Christmas.

The cast of Cardinal O'Hara's production transported the audience straight into Santa's workshop. The ensemble played a critical role in bringing this merry world to life. Fortunately, the performers were ready to give it their all, elevating large group numbers to lively heights, with energy and enthusiasm till the final bow. The whole cast was comprised of strong vocalists and versatile dancers, whose mixes and jazz squares filled the stage with vitality. Cardinal O'Hara undoubtedly brought "Christmas cheer" with jolly performances of numbers like "Happy All The Time" and "Nobody Cares," which showcased the talent of the ensemble as a whole.

Will Donnelly flawlessly embodied Buddy the Elf as he led the show with a "special talent." His performance, anchored in brilliant acting and strong vocals, captivated the audience. His portrayal was a standout, excellently capturing the innocent and optimistic aspects of Buddy. Shannon Daly's performance as Jovie provided the perfect contrast to Donnelly's frivolity. Her stellar voice consistently stunned the audience, shining through in numbers like "Never Fall in Love (With an Elf)."

Further adding to the exceptional cast, Gerard Gallagher fantastically portrayed Walter Hobbs. Gallagher embodied the "Iceman" to a T, and expertly melted Walter down to show the loveable and genuine character at his core. Additionally, Jonathan Viola's humorous deliveries and physical comedy as Charlie and Mr.Greenway heightened the production. Viola effortlessly switched between various roles, which displayed the skill that went into bringing his characters to life.

The O'Hara Stage Crew admirably executed the transitions between scenes, not a cue was missed. The set for Elf was festive, flexible for scene changes, and made skillful use of the large stage. Furthermore, the tinsel-tastic decor displayed by Cardinal O'Hara's Marketing team creatively reflected the holly-jolly charm of the Christmas season.

The cast and crew of Cardinal O'Hara's Elf! The Musical truly left its audiences feeling merry and bright.

Ava Miller
Haverford Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - Wordpress Site #2

Get set for a jolly sleigh ride through the enchanting, modern world of 'Elf!", where holiday cheer, catchy melodies, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic come together in a joyous celebration of the holiday season!

The musical version of "Elf" was based on the movie of the same name, beginning its run on Broadway in 2010. The score was written by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, and the book was adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan. The story follows Buddy, a human who was mistakenly brought to the North Pole as an infant. He spent his entire childhood and early adulthood believing that he was an elf. Upon learning of his parentage, he traveled to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs. He spends the remainder of the story winning over his birth family and helping the people of New York City find their Christmas spirit.

The cast's energy and spirit truly anchored this show. The smiling faces from the ensemble were infectious and added to the jollity of the performance. The choreography was clean and captivated the theme of the musical perfectly.

Will Donnelly (Buddy) never once fell short of anything but fantastic. Donnelly's facial expressions were on point and his comedic physicality and timing were the cause of much hilarity. Acting opposite Donnelly was Shannon Daly (Jovie), and the two's chemistry was believable and adorable. Not to mention, Daly's voice was impeccable and clear, carrying power and beauty.

The supporting cast was clearly enjoying themselves on stage which was a joy to watch. The number where this was most apparent was "Nobody Cares"; the sheer volume of this number alone was show-stopping. It is necessary to mention Peyton Curry (Deb) and the skill shown in her voice. In addition, Curry's staggered demeanor as an overwhelmed secretary read perfectly and was a highlight of the show.

The set did not fall short in any aspect; the O'Hara Christmas Crew truly outdid themselves. The entire stage was covered in Christmas spirit, which is a difficult feat due to their extensive space. The microphones, though at times phasing in and out, did not stop the cast from putting on a great show and persevering through the technical troubles.

Cardinal O'Hara should be incredibly proud of their performance of "Elf!" the musical, as the production guided the entire audience into feeling the love of this holiday season.

Talia Rosenfeld
Phoenixville Area High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies Website #3

With actors and music full of Sparklejollytwinklejingley, "Elf!" The Musical at Cardinal O'Hara High School is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

"Elf!" The Musical is based on the Christmas film and family favorite, "Elf." It shares the hilarious tale of Buddy, an orphan who winds up in Santa's sack of gifts and is raised as an elf. Years later when he is fully grown, he comes face to face with the truth; he is actually a human. With Santas approval, he heads off to New York City to find his not so jolly birth father and teach him the wonder of Christmas.

The joy that this production generated was anchored by the ensemble's jazzy spirit. They were able to transform every scene with their tasteful display of energy, taking the audience from the North Pole to an office setting with them. While facing microphone issues, they were still able to bravely project their voices. The ensemble's energy built as the show went on, ending with a beautiful tap-dancing finale.

Will Donnelly played Buddy the Elf with a skillfully childish demeanor, enhancing the character's Christmas cheer. His constant energy gave the production a well-paced flow. Emily Bright (Emily) and Mac Ciotti (Michael) played Buddy's stepmother and half-brother. The two of them created a believable family dynamic, along with Gerard Gallagher (Walter, Buddy's father), as they battled through family dysfunctions of the holiday season. Their familial chemistry perfectly presented an imperfect family. Gallagher also commanded the stage with his booming voice and strong portrayal of a feared businessman.

Shannon Daly (Jovie) portrayed deep emotion with her well supported and engaging vocals. David Berry (Macy's Manager) was dealt a broken microphone and still managed to skillfully project his voice while remaining in character. Jonathan Viola (Mr. Greenway/Charlie) took on two very contrasting roles, a cheery elf and a scary boss, and pulled both off flawlessly. His energy commanded the stage as he portrayed emotion both facially and physically. Peyton Curry (Deb) never let her energy down for a second, both in the background as well as center stage, delivering beautiful, fast-paced vocals.

This production's smooth transitions from scene to scene were made possible by the incredibly skilled stage crew. Their speed and precision made them hardly visible throughout the show, which was a big challenge due to the large stage on which they worked. A production such as this also takes a skilled command behind the scenes, done by Maura Kotary (production manager) and Olivia DiBattista (stage manager). Together they gave this production its well-paced flow.

Kick off the Christmas season at Cardinal O'Hara High School with their lovable production of "Elf!"

Jessica Smith
Haverford Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies Website #4

Through the magical world of holiday joy and laughter, Cardinal O'Hara's production of "Elf!" left audiences wrapped in the spirit of Christmas!

The musical "Elf!" is a high-spirited holiday tale based on the 2003 movie starring Will Ferrell. The musical adaptation opened on Broadway in 2010 and has been spreading holiday joy ever since. The comical story, written by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, is supported by catchy music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

The cast exploded the stage with energy from the start. In their opening number, "Happy All the Time", the actors filled the stage with challenging movement and vocals. The featured dancers were extremely together and made the difficult choreography look effortless. Every actor on stage was bursting with energy throughout the whole performance. The act two opener, "Nobody Cares" was a show-stopping number with high-energy dance and challenging, dissonant harmonies. The cast thrived in this demanding number.

Will Donnelly's portrayal of Buddy the Elf was incredible. His physical energy was supported by a strong stage presence and secure vocals. Donnelly's holiday joy was infectious, leaving audience members smiling and ready for the holiday season. Shannon Daly (Jovie) gave a remarkable performance. Her song, "Never Fall in Love (With An Elf)" blew audiences away. Her crystal clear vocals alongside strong stage presence and comedic timing, created a perfect portrayal of Jovie.

Standout performances were also from Gerard Gallagher (Walter), Emily Bright (Emily), and Mac Ciotti (Micahel). The three created a believable family relationship, letting the audience immerse themselves in the story. Bright and Ciotti had a heart-warming mother-son relationship shown in their duet, "I'll Believe in You". The featured ensemble members brought hilarious moments to the story, with high-energy spotlights.

Although there was some microphone trouble, the actors persevered and projected enough that the audience could still hear them. The set was gorgeous and extremely versatile. It successfully transitioned from Santa's workshop at the North Pole to The Empire State Building in New York City. The stage was full of holiday spirit in the technical aspects and the actors.

The cast of O'Hara's "Elf!" displayed the joy of the holiday season and proved to audiences that "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!"