By Randi Bjornstad
Joe Zingo and Jim Roberts, the venerable founders and dual backbones of Actors Cabaret of Eugene, say they are making their long-awaited, post-pandemic return by “taking Elf the Musical off the shelf and right onto the stage.”
They had planned their return earlier in 2021, with a production of Forbidden Broadway — everything was ready, from the cast to the set to the costumes and lighting design — but the unwelcome appearance of the covid-19 Delta variant “raised its ugly head, and it was back to the drawing board,” they said in announcing Elf, which opens Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 18, including 13 evening performances and two matinees.
Elf is a well-known tale that originated with a 2003 movie that starred actor Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf, and then was adapted for the stage in 2010, appearing on Broadway during the 2010-11 and 2012-13 Christmas seasons.
The Actors Cabaret production features homegrown stage and television performer Eric Millegan in the role of Buddy the Elf. Millegan grew up in Springfield and participated in many community theater productions, including eight shows directed by Zingo. He attended the University of Michigan and since then has performed in on- and off-Broadway shows and on TV series that include Law and Order: Criminal Intent, 100 Center Street, and Bones.
The Elf the Musical story begins when a tiny orphan named Buddy crawls into Santa Claus’s pack of toys and ends up back at the North Pole after the Christmas Eve package deliveries are finished. Santa and his elves decide to raise little Buddy as part of the elf clan, but after a few years he realizes that he’s a human being, and with Santa’s blessing goes off to try to find his real family, only to learn that his real dad is on the “naughty list,” and he has a half-brother who doesn’t even believe in Santa Claus.
Covid-induced changes at Actors Cabaret
For decades, Actors Cabaret has offered the choice of eating dinner or brunch as part of the musical outing or simply attending the play. For Elf the Musical, meals will not be part of the package.
Masks will be required in the building at all times, and theatergoers must provide proof of completed covid vaccination — for both adults and vaccine-eligible children — must be presented at the entrance. Proof may take the form of a vaccination card or a photo of the card, along with a photo ID.
For its part, Actors Cabaret has upgraded its ventilation system and installed hand-sanitizing stations throughout the theater. Even so, people who don’t feel tip-top are encouraged to stay at home to safeguard their own and the health of performers and other attendees.
The cast of Elf the Musical numbers 16. As usual, Joe Zingo has designed the costumes, sets, and lighting for the show.
Members of the cast, alphabetically, include Paul Anderson, Jim Arscott, Celeste Rossetto Dickey, Bill Furtick, Colin Gray, Janis Hayes, Hillary Humphreys, Tony Joyner, Cindy Kenny, Samantha Kenny, Lydia Lord, Eric Millegan, Tristan Riplinger, Rob Roberts, Sarah Smaw, and Will Vanderbilt.
Elf the Musical
When: Doors open at 7 p.m. and shows start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Nov. 19-20 and 26-27; and Thursday through Saturday on Dec. 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18; doors open at 1:30 p.m. and shows start at 2 p.m. for Sunday matinees on Nov. 28 and Dec. 5
Where: Actors Cabaret, 996 Willamette St., Eugene
Tickets: $25 for adults, $20 for youths ages 12 and younger
Information: actorscabaret.org
Important detail: At this time, the box office remains closed to the public, and ticketing will not be available via the internet. All ticket sales must be made via telephone with a credit card. Tickets may be purchased from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, by calling 541-683-4368.
