"Elf: The Musical" choreographer Connor Gallagher says the production is one of the most complicated that he has ever choreographed. The production is based on the Will Ferrell film, "Elf," with lots of song and dance added to the charming story of an orphan raised by elves.If You Go• What: "Elf: The Musical"• When: 7:30 p.m. today and Friday, Nov. 6-7• Where: Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.• Admission: $20-$74.50 adults• Phone: 423-642-TIXS• Website: ChattanoogaOnStage
Santa and Buddy share a moment inside Santa's Workshop at the North Pole in "Elf: The Musical."When the producers of the "Elf: The Musical" set about to create a Broadway adaptation of the film "Elf," they knew they were unlikely to find someone who could play the lead role as Will Ferrell had in the movie. So they didn't try. Instead, they created a piece that focuses on the story and threw in a lot of high-energy song and dance.
"This is one of the most complicated shows I've ever choreographed," says Connor Gallagher, who did the original choreography three years ago and reworked it for an updated version that will be at Memorial Auditorium tonight and Friday, Nov. 6-7.
The scene in the toy store when the elves are getting ready for a visit from Santa, for example, "has people and packages flying through the air all over the place," Gallagher says. "There is a lot going on."
Gallagher also has choreographed "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," "Bunnicula," "The Fabulous Lipitones" and "Fat Camp." He says it's been interesting to look at "Elf's" choreography again. "You always discover new things and new ways of doing it."
Part of the fun for Gallagher is coming up with ideas for a routine and then watching how individual actors interpret it.
"Especially when you go back and watch it after they've done it for awhile," he says. "They all do something a little bit different, and that is the fun part."
The cast and crew have been in Chattanooga for more than a week getting ready for the launch of the new show. The musical, like the film, is about Buddy, an orphan who crawls into Santa's bag of toys and is transported to the North Pole, where he is raised by elves working in Santa's workshop. When he finally is told why he is different from everyone else, he heads out on his own to find his real father, who it turns out doesn't buy into the whole Santa thing.
Buddy also discovers that many people where his father live don't believe in Santa, which is a problem since it's their belief in Christmas that powers the big elf's sleigh.
Buddy's wide-eyed innocence and optimism drive the story.
"It's just such a warm and happy production," Gallagher says. "You leave the theater happy."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.