Most people know that Elf the Musical was a movie first. But do you know all these fun facts about the movie and the musical? Make sure to quiz your friends next time you watch Elf the movie and before you come to see Elf the Musical!
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#1
About the Musical: “Nobody Cares About Santa,” the musical number for all the mall Santas, actually originated in a cab, from a conversation between the director, composer and lyricist. It was originally going to be set in a bar, but the location changed to a Chinese restaurant to make it more family friendly.
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#2
About the Movie: Director Jon Favreau made several cameos in Elf -- including the voices of Mr. Narwhal and the rabid raccoon that attacks Buddy.
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#3
About the Movie: The 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie heavily influenced the making of Elf -- including the costumes and the claymation style of some of the North Pole characters.
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#4
About the Movie: In fact, the snow man who narrates Rudolph’s story makes a comeback for Buddy (with a costume change).
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#5
About the Movie: Maurice LaMarche, voice actor for Brain of Pinky and the Brain provided Buddy’s astounding burp.
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#6
About the Musical: Gregg Barnes, Costume Designer for Elf the Musical, contacted Laura Jean Shannon, the Costume Designer for the film, to ask about the custom making and dyeing of Buddy’s winter jacket. The light, detailed embroidery of his jacket in the movie inspired the larger felt-like snowflakes that made it to the stage.
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#7
About the Movie: When filming the scene where Buddy walks through the Lincoln Tunnel, the sight of Will Ferrell caused multiple car accidents.
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#8
About the Movie: Ming Ming, the head toy-making elf of the movie, is played by Peter Billingsley, the same actor who played Ralphie in the 1983 film A Christmas Story.
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#9
About the Movie: Buddy was originally meant to be played by Jim Carrey when the spec script was written in 1993 -- but at least Carrey had his share of Christmas films with How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and A Christmas Carol (2009).
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#10
About the Musical: The music for Elf the Musical was composed by Matthew Sklar, and the lyrics were written by Chad Beguelin, the same team that made the music for The Wedding Singer.
