A young Mesa thespian plays a key role in a Scottsdale youth theater company\u2019s presentation of \u201cElf Jr.\u201d<\/p>\n
The family musical, adapted from the hit 2003 film, runs through Dec. 14 at Greasepaint Youtheatre and promises a playful mix of comedy, heart and high-energy song-and-dance for all ages.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt its core, \u2018Elf Jr.\u2019 celebrates what makes the season meaningful\u2014showing up for each other with kindness, hope and heart,\u201d said director Jordan Cline.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s playful and funny, and it also carries a message families can feel long after the curtain falls.\u201d<\/p>\n
The production includes Mesa thespian Cadell Red as Walter Hobbs.<\/p>\n
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Mesa thespian Cadell Red plays Walter Hobbs in the Greasepaint Youtheatre presentation of \u201cElf Jr.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
(Katy Springer\/Contributor)<\/p>\n
\u201cElf Jr.\u201d follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, who heads to New York City to find his father and spread some Christmas spirit along the way. Beyond Buddy\u2019s Christmas optimism, the story zeroes in on the Hobbs family \u2013 Walter, his wife, Emily, and their son, Michael \u2013 \u2014who aren\u2019t exactly brimming with holiday spirit.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Buddy falls for Jovie, a sharp, weary New Yorker who needs a reason to believe again. Their connection becomes the spark that powers the show\u2019s big emotional turn: Walter must choose between appeasing his boss or showing up for his family.<\/p>\n
Walter finds his backbone, Jovie finds her voice and the Hobbs family rediscovers why believing, and belonging, still matter.<\/p>\n
Musical moments like \u201cThere is a Santa Claus,\u201d \u201cA Christmas Song\u201d and \u201cI\u2019ll Believe in You\u201d drive home \u201cElf Jr.\u2019s\u201d sparkle and heart.<\/p>\n
The creative team includes Cline as director, Elise Kurbat as music director, Tawny Audi as choreographer and Taylor Penn as stage manager. Together, they guide a large youth cast through brisk choreography, tight harmonies and a storyline that swings from North Pole whimsy to Midtown mayhem.<\/p>\n
Cline said the cast\u2019s enthusiasm is contagious.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I love about \u2018Elf Jr.\u2019 is how the comedy sits on top of real craftsmanship,\u201d Cline said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese young artists are tackling tight harmonies, fast choreography and honest storytelling\u2014and the payoff is a show that\u2019s joyful, polished and genuinely moving about what it means to belong.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of Greasepaint\u2019s commitment to inclusion and accessibility, the company will offer a sensory-friendly performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Admission is free for qualifying families, and tickets may be requested by emailing Moe Dias-Watson at\u00a0Moe.Dias@greasepaint.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The sensory-friendly performance is made possible through a grant from APS. An ASL-interpreted performance will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 13, with interpretation provided by ASL Impact.<\/p>\n Performances of \u201cElf Jr.\u201d take place at Greasepaint Youtheatre, 7020 E. 2nd St. in Scottsdale.<\/p>\n