ELF: The Musical

Music by Matthew Sklar

Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin  

“A merry treat for the holiday season...A cheerful, melodic score by Matthew Sklar, the composer, and Chad Beguelin, the lyricist, keeps the show rolling along.” – Michael Sommers, The New York Times

“The show is a bona fide treat.” – Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post

“Fabulous, festive fun.” — The Evening Herald (Dublin)

“It plays like a faithful but fresh revival of a golden–age Broadway musical, with its artfully towering sets, large company and lush arrangements of traditionally jazzy songs by Matthew Sklar (music) and Chad Beguelin (lyrics).” — Peter Santilli, Associated Press

“'Elf' is one jolly musical... The songs by composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Beguelin (who also scored 5th Avenue's 'The Wedding Singer') are upbeat and frothy, and there are no (thanks again, Mr. Claus!) overwrought, tonsil–torching ballads. The “Nobody Cares About Santa” number, featuring a chorus line of 'fake' St. Nicks, is especially rousing. So are the jazzy “The Story of Buddy the Elf” and the ultra–silly razamatazzy “Sparklejollytwinklejingley”.” — Misha Berson, Seattle Times

“The happiest theatrical surprise in a couple of holiday seasons, 'Elf' delivers a supersize stocking full of Yuletide cheer and sure–fire entertainment. Best of all, 'Elf' sports a rousing score, with clever and neatly turned lyrics by Chad Beguelin and catchy, upbeat music by Matthew Sklar. It's refreshing to hear a new score that sounds like genuine musical comedy — and some of this team's tunes are joyous enough to hint at the glory days of Jerry Herman or Jule Styne.” — Everett Evans, Houston Chronicle

“'Elf' is about rediscovering the Christmas spirit. But it might just restore your faith in the modern musical, too. It's a crisply paced, high–energy comedy with loads of charm and terrific tunes that stay with you long after the lights have gone up.” — Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press (Minneapolis/St. Paul)

“Even the biggest Cotton–Headed–Ninny–Muggins is bound to leave the Al Hirschfield theater with a festive glow.” – Thom Geier, Entertainment Weekly

“Hilarious and heart–warming, this 'Elf' delivers.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“This tuner is happy enough for families, savvy enough for city kids and plenty smart for adults.” — Steven Suskin, Variety

“It hits all the right notes.” — Roma Torre, NY1 News

“The Rockettes have some serious competition this Christmas Season.” — Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

“'Elf' is a charming holiday treat...Matthew Sklar (music) and Chad Beguelin (lyrics) are becoming accustomed to adapting movies into stage musicals. They wrote the pop–rock score of 'The Wedding Singer', an underrated show, and now their treatment of 'Elf' deftly treads a fine line between sentimentality and wit, between kid's stuff and enough cleverness to keep the grown–ups amused. Some of their Christmas songs are truly refreshing alternatives to the usual holiday cheer.” — John Fleming, Tampa Bay Times

“Lively production numbers and tuneful performances make this show a delightful treat. Composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Beguelin have created lots of energetic, show–stopping numbers. 'Elf' is an exuberant Christmas present about the power of family for the whole family to share.” — Barbara M. Bannon, Salt Lake City Tribune

“'Elf' is an altogether greater achievement by this young team, with Sklar providing catchy, charming melodies to Beguelin's droll and witty lyrics. I particularly like Jovie's comic lament “Never Fall in Love (with an Elf),” the rousing second–act curtain raiser “Nobody Cares About Santa Claus,” and “A Christmas Song,” which might stand a chance of becoming a standard Christmas song, if pop artists would record Broadway tunes again.” — David–Edward Hughes, Talkin' Broadway