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Happy Elf stays lively with holiday chuckles
BY: Russ Simmons, Theater Reviewer
Sometimes, friends and co-workers get so enthusiastic about the holidays that their yuletide cheer becomes an annoyance to others. Just imagine that exhilaration on the part of one of Santa's already joyous elves.
That's the premise behind a bubbly new musical comedy, “The Happy Elf,” now enjoying its world stage premiere at The Coterie Theatre.
With music and lyrics by jazz superstar Harry Connick Jr. and book by Andrew Fishman, “The Happy Elf” is a snappy, tongue-in-cheek kids show that will engage the youngsters and includes enough pop culture nods to amuse Mom and Dad as well.
The play is inspired by a song from Connick's 2003 Christmas album, “Home for the Holidays.” Fishman expanded the ditty into an animated TV special in 2005 with Connick serving as narrator. Coterie Artistic Director Jeff Church thought the show could be effectively adapted to the stage.
The play, the fifth show to come out of the Coterie's Lab for New Family Musicals, was developed this summer with Connick and Fishman collaborating directly with director Church and the cast. A unique, perhaps unprecedented work, “The Happy Elf” is a jazz musical directed at kids.
In a whirlwind three days of “workshopping,” the play was revised and Connick added musical underscoring. The Coterie's version includes four new Connick songs that were not in the original animated special.
K.C. Comeaux stars in the titular role of Eubie, an overly jovial lad who gets into a bit of trouble when he tries to bring some holiday cheer to the dour town of Bluesville. It seems that all of the kids there are on Santa's “naughty” list, so Eubie travels there in an attempt to figure out what's wrong.
In Bluesville, Eubie discovers a town that only gets a few moments of sunlight each day. It's no wonder that everyone who lives there is always so depressed.
Comeaux brings the appropriate ebullience to the role and a terrific cast adds able support. Most notable are the spunky Jessalyn Kincaid as Eubie's elfin girlfriend, Gilda, and the prodigiously talented Daria LeGrand as a cynical Bluesville tyke, Molly.
Other cast members include longtime Kansas City favorite Danny Cox, Tony Bernal, Martin Buchanan, Michael Dragen, Jessica Dressler, Katherine McNamara and Cooper J. Scott.
Director Church and choreographer Missy Koonce understand the importance of pace and their work here is, as usual, first rate.
Designer Vaughn Schultz's fanciful set and Art Kent's meticulous lighting cleverly allow for quick scene changes. (This is one extremely important lesson that every theater in the area could learn from the folks at The Coterie.) Georgianna Londre's glittering costumes are a big help, too.
Connick's swinging tunes are catchy and effectively serve to drive the story. Fishman's script, while lightweight, manages to amuse while celebrating the merits of optimism. It also shares a gentle message about the downside of being a tattletale.
Unlike your annoying co-worker, “The Happy Elf” has an upbeat attitude that is contagious.
“The Happy Elf” runs through Dec. 30 at the Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, Mo., in Crown Center. For information, call (816) 474-6552.
THEATRE NOTES
Full Frontal Comedy, the professional improvisational troupe, will present a free show in December. In “How the Grinch Stole Full Frontal,” the cast members will play improvisational games based on audience suggestions. The show will also contain comedic sketches based on the holiday season.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8 at the Olathe Community Theatre, 500 E. Loula, Olathe. Reservations for these free events are required. For information, call (816) 623-3557.
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That's the premise behind a bubbly new musical comedy, “The Happy Elf,” now enjoying its world stage premiere at The Coterie Theatre.
With music and lyrics by jazz superstar Harry Connick Jr. and book by Andrew Fishman, “The Happy Elf” is a snappy, tongue-in-cheek kids show that will engage the youngsters and includes enough pop culture nods to amuse Mom and Dad as well.
The play is inspired by a song from Connick's 2003 Christmas album, “Home for the Holidays.” Fishman expanded the ditty into an animated TV special in 2005 with Connick serving as narrator. Coterie Artistic Director Jeff Church thought the show could be effectively adapted to the stage.
The play, the fifth show to come out of the Coterie's Lab for New Family Musicals, was developed this summer with Connick and Fishman collaborating directly with director Church and the cast. A unique, perhaps unprecedented work, “The Happy Elf” is a jazz musical directed at kids.
In a whirlwind three days of “workshopping,” the play was revised and Connick added musical underscoring. The Coterie's version includes four new Connick songs that were not in the original animated special.
K.C. Comeaux stars in the titular role of Eubie, an overly jovial lad who gets into a bit of trouble when he tries to bring some holiday cheer to the dour town of Bluesville. It seems that all of the kids there are on Santa's “naughty” list, so Eubie travels there in an attempt to figure out what's wrong.
In Bluesville, Eubie discovers a town that only gets a few moments of sunlight each day. It's no wonder that everyone who lives there is always so depressed.
Comeaux brings the appropriate ebullience to the role and a terrific cast adds able support. Most notable are the spunky Jessalyn Kincaid as Eubie's elfin girlfriend, Gilda, and the prodigiously talented Daria LeGrand as a cynical Bluesville tyke, Molly.
Other cast members include longtime Kansas City favorite Danny Cox, Tony Bernal, Martin Buchanan, Michael Dragen, Jessica Dressler, Katherine McNamara and Cooper J. Scott.
Director Church and choreographer Missy Koonce understand the importance of pace and their work here is, as usual, first rate.
Designer Vaughn Schultz's fanciful set and Art Kent's meticulous lighting cleverly allow for quick scene changes. (This is one extremely important lesson that every theater in the area could learn from the folks at The Coterie.) Georgianna Londre's glittering costumes are a big help, too.
Connick's swinging tunes are catchy and effectively serve to drive the story. Fishman's script, while lightweight, manages to amuse while celebrating the merits of optimism. It also shares a gentle message about the downside of being a tattletale.
Unlike your annoying co-worker, “The Happy Elf” has an upbeat attitude that is contagious.
“The Happy Elf” runs through Dec. 30 at the Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, Mo., in Crown Center. For information, call (816) 474-6552.
THEATRE NOTES
Full Frontal Comedy, the professional improvisational troupe, will present a free show in December. In “How the Grinch Stole Full Frontal,” the cast members will play improvisational games based on audience suggestions. The show will also contain comedic sketches based on the holiday season.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8 at the Olathe Community Theatre, 500 E. Loula, Olathe. Reservations for these free events are required. For information, call (816) 623-3557.