MONROE — Every year Monroe Theatre Guild strives to carry on its long-standing tradition of exceptional holiday performances. This year is no exception, as MTG presents the Christmas comedy classic, Elf: The Musical, as its final performance of the 2022 Colony Brands performance series. 

Directors Katie Landmark and David Bristow have worked with dozens of volunteers to make their vision come to life. Monroe High School choral director and talented vocalist, Alex Lentz, plays the role of Buddy the Elf in his first appearance with MTG. In this cast of nearly forty, the audience will see familiar faces from past productions joined by enthusiastic first timers, as young and old come together in this family-oriented musical production. 

Based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). 

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-sister doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

The show will have nine performances on the Colony Brands Stage: Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 4 at 2 p.m., Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., closing the show Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available on MTG’s website: monroetheatre.com. 

To purchase a ticket in person, tickets can also be purchased exclusively at the MTG Ticket Window Tuesdays and Thursdays ​from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. at 910 16th Avenue, Monroe, or by calling 608-325-1111.