Actress Emma Sucato is excited about performing in the ensemble of the fun-loving holiday musical “Elf” next week at E.J. Thomas Hall, where her Akron aunt, uncle and cousins will be in the audience cheering her on. Her grandmother will come from Dayton, too.
Considering she’ll be immersed in all the “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” of the musical comedy through the holiday season, it’s perfect that Sucato is really into Christmas in her real life.
“I’m a huge Christmas person. I’m known in my family as the girl with the traditions. I love Christmas traditions. I will uphold them forever,” said Sucato, speaking Oct. 31 from Springfield, Ohio, where the “Elf” tour ran its tech week and dress rehearsal.
The actress, who grew up in Dallas, has fond memories of decorating Christmas cookies with her brothers as soon as school was out, going to see Christmas lights on Christmas Eve and having lasagna on Christmas Eve with her Italian family.
Emma Sucato is on her first national tour in the holiday show “Elf,” playing at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron Nov. 11 and 12.
Sucato, 22, is on her first national tour after graduating from Syracuse University in May. She grew up watching the 2003 “Elf” movie, starring Will Ferrell, with her brothers and is a big fan.
“It’s awesome to go out and do a show that’s so joyful and everybody loves it,” she said of the musical tour.
This “Elf” tour comes straight from the 2024 Broadway revival. Inspired by the hit film, the musical tells the story of orphan Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s toy sack as a baby and discovers later that he’s human. He goes on a mission to find his birth father in New York, and, in the process, helps others discover the true meaning of Christmas.
“This is the first time that this version has gone out on the road,” Sucato said of the nine-city tour, which will run through late December.
Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall is a stop on the new “Elf” tour based on the 2024 Broadway revival. Pictured is the London production.
As an ensemble member, Sucato plays one of Santa’s elves, an employee of Walter Hobbs at Greenway Press, a mother, a Macy’s worker, ice skater and waitress.
“As an ensemble, it’s awesome because we’re all really strong at all three — singing, dancing and acting — and you kind of have to be in this show because it’s so story-driven and the ensemble is an integral part into telling Buddy’s story,” she said.
Sucato also understudies the role of Deb, who’s Walter’s joyful, pink-clad assistant.
While Sucato is in Akron, she’ll be staying with aunt and uncle Julie and Justin Sucato. She’s also excited to see cousins Olivia and Ava and perform at the University of Akron, where Ava studies.
The set’s video wall is an LED video screen that brings the audience to each of “Elf’s” settings, including the North Pole and New York landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Macy’s and Rockefeller Center.
Audience members also will get to see Santa’s sleigh in action and other magical elements such as snow on stage.
So did Sucato like starting a Christmas tour at the beginning of November?
When it comes to the Christmas season, she believes the “earlier the better.”
“Make it last longer,” she said.
Her favorite moments in “Elf” include watching the number “There Is a Santa Claus,” when Buddy helps Michael and Emily Hobbs’ build their low Christmas spirit to a high level.
Her favorite number to perform is “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” when Buddy comes to Macy’s and enlivens the spirits of the workers preparing for Christmas. It’s a big dance number that even has Sucato jump roping.
Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or [email protected].
Details
Musical: “Elf”
Where: E.J. Thomas Hall, University of Akron, 198 Hill St.
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and 12
Onstage: Jack Ducat, Felicia Martis, Jeff Brooks, Yara Martin, Ryan Duck, Camden Kwok, Andrew Hendrick, Katelyn Lauria, Darius Manuel, Connor Barton, Calista Case, Derick Donato, Adam Furgal, Kabir Gandhi, Tanner Gleeson, Patrick Johnson, Vanessa Mitchell, Clark Rulon, Emma Sucato, Mikayla Thrasher, Alysia Varstardis, Annie Wogisch, Keila Wong
Offstage: Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, book; Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, music and lyrics; Philip Wm. McKinley, director; Liam Steel, choreographer; Tim Goodchild, set and costume design; Patrick Woodroff, lighting design; Gareth Owen and Peter Fitzgerald, sound design; Ian William Galloway, video design; Sam Cox, hair and wig design; Doug Besterman, orchestrations; David Chase, dance arrangements; Phil Reno, vocal arrangements; Alan Williams, additional arrangements and orchestrations; Nate Patten, associate music supervisor
Cost: $72.15-$126.60
Information: uakron.edu/ej, playhousesquare.org, 330-253-2488, 216-241-6000
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Elf’ tour to kick off the happy-jolly season at E.J. Thomas Hall
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