When the curtains closed on Thurs. Nov. 24 to Elf the Musical there was a standing ovation as the performers took their final bow.
The production was a huge success, said Co-Director Gwen Snell. However, there were some challenges along the way. While Stage Hanna has been doing musicals since 2006 because of the pandemic there has been a four-year hiatus, which has caused some challenges this year, said Co-Director Gwen Snell.
“Just being able to mount the production was a challenge because we’ve had a four-year break, which means people aren’t used to the process, the actors and actresses aren’t used to the process, and we lost our band because the band couldn’t practice during COVID so they weren’t able to accompany us the same way.”
As for how the decision was made of what production to do, part of the reason Stage Hanna decided to do Elf the Musical is because of its popularity, said Snell.
“For me, my grandkids and my kids loved the movie so we thought when we heard about it let’s do that.”
The production of Elf the Musical has been a major success for Stage Hanna with the tickets for all five nights the program was running being sold out.
Community support has been very important for being able to put on this production, said Co-director Tammy David.
“We’ve had a very big response to this with people volunteering and wanting to come out and be involved.”
For David and Snell, Elf the Musical’s message of finding family and acceptance is one that stands out and shines through during the performance.
“Family, whether you are a part of a family immediately or you find out there is more to your family it just in the end shows the love that’s there.”
Sarah Baker
ECA Review
