The story of Buddy the Elf

The drama clubs of Springfield High School and Riverside Middle School collaborated to present “Elf Jr. the Musical” on Friday and Saturday nights and a Sunday matinee, March 3-5 at the Springfield High School.

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The story of Buddy the Elf By SHAWNTAE STILLWELL, The ShopperMarch 7, 2017 Buddy the Elf Buddy talks with Santa and sings about going to meet his dad. Photo by Shawntae Stillwell. SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The drama clubs of Springfield High School and Riverside Middle School collaborated to present “Elf Jr. the Musical” on Friday and Saturday nights and a Sunday matinee, March 3-5 at the Springfield High School. The narrative was very similar to the movie “Elf,” with some modern twists. The play starts out at the North Pole, much like the movie. Buddy the Elf overhears from other elves bickering that he is not a real elf. He is much too big to be an elf, and his DNA test told who his real parents are. Santa suggests that it is time for Buddy to travel to New York to meet his real dad, Walter Hobbs. Upon arrival to the Empire State Building where Buddy’s dad works, Buddy is quickly removed from the premises. But soon, Walter learns that Buddy really is his son, and he allows Buddy to stay in his home with his wife Emily and his younger son Michael. Buddy has to get a job because he can’t keep interrupting his dad at work. Though it is comical to see Buddy shredding paper and throwing the fake snow around the Empire State Building, he also shreds the only copy of a children’s story that Walter was ready to present to his boss Mr. Greenway. Buddy gets a job at a local Macy’s, and soon gets in trouble when a Santa imposter comes to Macy’s to visit with the children. Of course Buddy will announce that this Santa was a fake; he knows the real Santa! When the real Santa later came to town, he breaks down in Central Park because everyone has lost their Christmas spirit. Buddy uses Santa’s tablet to show everyone on the news that Santa knows what they wanted for Christmas. Everyone starts to sing in the middle of Central Park, and they all begin to believe in Santa again. Santa makes it back to the North Pole, and Buddy stays with his new human family in New York. Buddy pitches a new Christmas story to Mr. Greenway and saves his dad’s job. The new children’s book they will publish is the story of how Buddy was a human living at the North Pole, and he came to town and met his real family, and saved Christmas for everyone. It is the story of Buddy the Elf. Buddy was played by E.J. Bromley, Michael was played by Tim Amsden, Santa was Kylee Charest, Walter was played by Marcus Allen, Emily Hobbs was Ainsley Bertone, Mr. Greenway was Gabriel Freeman, Deb the assistant was Tori Amsden, the Fake Santa at Macy’s was Devin Richey, Buddy’s friend Jovi at Macy’s was played by Hannah Beaulieu, Charlie was Harry Valentin, and Shawanda was played by Allison Gibbons. Other ensemble cast members included Olivia Howard, Catrina Greene, Elijah Cass, Madison Kelley, Lance Robinson, Francis Stafford, Madalein Veale, Ariel Day, Danielle Marasa, Alivia Emerson, Sky Congdon, Myasia Martin, Jillian Muther, and Payton Kingsbury. The director was Rebecca Skrypeck and the musical director was Cindy Hughes. There was part in the play on Saturday that was comical because a toy wind turbine that was supposed to be fixed in the story, fell apart on the stage. It was an ad-lib moment that made the audience laugh but the actors did not break character. Overall, the ensemble of high-schoolers and middle-schoolers worked well together in creating a superb, entertaining performance for a late-winter weekend. Buddy the Elf Buddy convinces BOY and MOM to write a letter to Santa, and he’ll fix his wind turbine. Photo by Shawntae Stillwell. Buddy the Elf Buddy gets escorted out of the Greenway Press, his dad’s job at the Empire State Building by security. Photo by Shawntae Stillwell Buddy and his co-worker from Macy’s Jovi sing in Central Park and bring back the spirit of Christmas 2. Photo by Shawntae Stillwell Buddy has to change out of his elf costume into a suit, and annoys his dad at work. Photo by Shawntae Stillweel