Spreading Holiday Cheer for All at the Mount
By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief
On Saturday, December 2nd, Mount Wachusett Community College’s Theatre at the Mount (TAM) put on a spectacular performance of their holiday show, Elf: the Musical, a stage adaptation of the hit 2003 film of the same name. The musical follows Buddy (David Allen Prescott)—a human raised by the elves (who are “Happy All the Time,” according to the show’s opening number) at the North Pole—as he sets out on a journey to New York City in search of his real father…and his true identity.
Noteworthy in TAM’s production of the musical was its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, as the Saturday performance was tailored to be sensory-friendly, ensuring that all members of the audience could enjoy the festive experience without barriers. Sensory-friendly performances cater to individuals with sensory needs, including those with autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, anxiety, or other cognitive or physical disabilities.
Some of the adjustments that are made to allow for accessibility include lowering sound levels, keeping lights on at a low level, reducing strobe lighting, and allowing audience members to talk and move freely during the performance. As a creative, thoughtful, and unexpected bonus for this production, the door staff at TAM also handed out stress balls in the shape of gift boxes, bright yellow and printed with the title of the musical.
“The sensory-friendly shows are very popular,” said Gail Steele, director of TAM. “Not only do we serve a population who cannot easily attend regular performances, but parents of young children find it is a great way to expose kids to theatre without the pressures associated with sitting quietly through a long show. For the past 10 or so years, we have only done a sensory-friendly option for our holiday show. We are excited to expand our offerings with a sensory-friendly performance of the children’s musical Finding Nemo, Jr. in April.”
Regardless of the type of show, TAM consistently delivers a captivating lineup of talent on its stage, and being part of the MWCC community means you’re in for surprises during their productions. Elf: The Musical was no different, starting off with an amusing introduction to the story, delivered by none other than MWCC’s own adjunct professor, Jeremiah Riordon, who took on the role of Santa Claus. Riordon’s portrayal of the jolly man himself was not just remarkable; it was downright uncanny, not to mention the skill it takes to capture such an iconic figure as wholly as he did.
It would be remiss not to mention the show stopping choreography of the musical. From the intricate tap routines that brought the stage to life with rhythmic energy to creative prop usage, notably the playful coordination of tossing gift boxes during one of the routines, the choreography (courtesy of Kim Soel) of Elf: the Musical was a visual feast.
The dynamic between Becky Ruccio as Emily Hobbs and the exceptionally talented Xavier Cormier as her son, Michael Hobbs, ended up being one of the show’s strongest elements. Their on-stage connection felt authentic and immensely enjoyable. Ruccio and Cormier’s performances, particularly in the renditions of “I’ll Believe in You” and “There is a Santa Claus,” were nothing short of vocally phenomenal. Cormier, a mere sophomore at Monty Tech, delivered an impressive vocal performance, demonstrating a depth and control beyond his years.
TAM’s Elf: the Musical ran for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the joy in the theatre was palpable from start to finish. Whether the talented Prescott was lighting his way across the stage as Buddy the Elf, charming the audience with numbers like “World’s Greatest Dad” and “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” or any of their fellow castmates were singing, dancing, or performing their hearts out, the energy that this production and everyone involved in it brought was admittedly infectious, making TAM’s production of Elf: the Musical just the thing to put audiences in the festive spirit.
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