Pictured is the main cast of “Elf the Musical” at Southwest Playhouse in Clinton. The Weatherford Daily News is partnering with SWPH to give away “Buddy Boxes” filled with Christmas cheer. Participants soon will be able to register for a chance to win a box at participating Weatherford businesses. Front row from left is Kayla Brittle, Gini Smith, Megan Gilbert, Emily Gill, Thomas Williams and Cierra Cuccias. Back row is Boone Hardaway, Malynda Blevins, Isaac Martyn, Curtis Turney, Perry Adams, Viva Bluth, Sean Williams, Sean Todd Williams, Truman Bluth and Axl Perez. Provided Weatherford Daily News Publisher Phillip Reid talks with Ashby de la Plaine, director of “Elf the Musical” at Southwest Playhouse. See the full interview of the WDN Facebook page
The Weatherford Daily News and Southwest Playhouse in Clinton are teaming up this year to bring holiday cheer.
In honor of SWPH’s production of “Elf the Musical,” the WDN Chris-giving boxes are being rebranded as “Buddy Boxes.” Each one is filled with Elf-branded merchandise, Christmas movies, hot chocolate, cookies mixes, holiday decorations and plenty of Christmas cheer.
Participants soon will be able to register for a chance to win a Buddy Box at participating businesses. Look for more information in upcoming editions of the WDN.
“Elf the Musical” is based on the titular movie starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human child who finds his way to the North Pole and is raised by elves. Since its debut, the movie has become a holiday classic along the lines of “It’s a Wonderful Life,”
“White Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
“It’s definitely one of my favorite traditions,” Director Ashby de la Plaine said. “I watch it in the summertime too.”
De la Plaine said Christmas is one of her favorite times of the year. She loves decorating and eating all of the holiday food.
De la Plaine said there will be some changes to the story line, but it will stay true to the spirit of the movie and bring Christmas cheer to the audience. “It’s perfect for right
“It’s perfect for right now because the past year and a half has been strange. It’s nice to have theatre back, and it’s like a family,” de la Plaine said.
Buddy will be played by Sean Todd Williams, who will be taking on one of his first starring roles with the SWPH. De la Plaine said he really embodies the spirit of the character, like he was born to play it.
His father Sean Williams, who also has been in several productions with the playhouse, will be playing Buddy’s dad Walter Hobbs.
The WDN will be recreating some of the fun from “Elf the Musical” in Weatherford with a special event before the show opens. Participants can take picture with Santa, meet the cast, enter prize drawings and enjoy the ever-popular snow machines. The evening also will include cookies and hot chocolate.
“Elf the Musical” opens December 10 at Southwest Playhouse in Clinton. Time and ticket information will be released closer to the date.
Watch the full interview with Director de la Plaine on the WDN Facebook page.
See below for a full cast list:
• Sean Todd Williams as Buddy the Elf
• Emily Gill as Jovi
• Sean Williams as Walter Hobbs
• Gini Smith as Emily Hobbs
• Megan Gilbert as Michael Hobbs
• Blair Barnett as Deb
• David Berrong as Mr. Greenway
• Doug Gunselman as Santa Clause
• Malynda Blevins as Mrs. Clause
• Boone Hardaway as Chadwick
• Axl Perez as Matthews
• Curtis Turney as Charley
• Viva Bluth as Charlotte
• Cierra Cuccias as Sara and Tiara
• Truman Bluth as Boy
• Isaac Martyn and Perry Adams as Fake Santas
• Thomas Williams as Vinnie
• Jovi Petzold, Declan Blevins and Beth Hanson as North Pole Elves
• Olivia Campbell, Ava Sewell and London House as Department Store Elves
• Kayla Brittle as Salvation Army Lady
• Jacob Jones as Teenager
• Ensemble: Lillian Adkinson, Pippa Jean Bluth, Elliott Bernum, Tinlee Burns, Brynlee Cummins, Bryndee Driskill, Ainsley House, Alyssa Jackson, John Jones, Judge Jones, Seven Jones, Will Kindfeather, King Maddox, Adalynn McPhail, Miriam Meacham, Ava Mosier, Logan Purser, Reagan Roper, Arlo Smith, Wylder Smith, Jasper Whitten and Paizlee Whitten.