Elf

Opened 2010

241 performances

Musical, Modern

Beth Leavel, who was in the 2010 production. Michael Schamis from New York, NY, USA

Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, discovers he is not actually an elf and travels to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs, a workaholic children's book publisher on Santa's naughty list. Buddy's childlike innocence and unrelenting Christmas cheer clash hilariously with the cynicism of modern Manhattan as he tries to bond with his reluctant father, win over his new family, and ultimately save Christmas by restoring the city's holiday spirit.

Music: Matthew Sklar
Lyrics: Chad Beguelin
Book: Thomas Meehan, Bob Martin

Productions4 productions: 3 on Broadway, 1 in the West End

2010

Al Hirschfeld TheatreBroadway Original, opened November 14, 2010, directed by Casey Nicholaw

241 performances

2012

Al Hirschfeld TheatreBroadway Return-Engagement, opened November 9, 2012, directed by Casey Nicholaw

74 performances

2022

ProductionLondon

2024

Marquis TheatreBroadway Revival, opened November 17, 2024

56 performances

Recordings 2 recordings

2011

Elf: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Ghostlight Records, released November 1, 2011

Worldwide

2015

Elf: The Musical (Original London Cast Recording) Silva Screen Records, released October 23, 2015

Elf is a musical based on the 2003 motion picture, with a score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. The book is adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan from the film. The musical premiered on Broadway in the Christmas season of 2010 and was revived in 2012 and 2024. It played in London's West End in 2015, 2022, 2023, and 2025, and it has toured extensively in English-speaking countries, often during the Christmas holiday season.

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