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PHOTOS from "Elf the Musical" at CDC Theatre

By John Posada

originally published: 12/11/2022


(CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre is presenting Elf the Musical weekends from December 9-18. ​Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

The cast includes Sean Lynch-Littlejohn (Buddy the Elf), Betty Mack (Jovie), Larry Brustofski (Walter Hobbs), Lisa Benke (Emily Hobbs), Loren Turner (Michael Hobbs), Michele Greenspan (Deb), Shannon Ludlum (Manager), Frank Andrews (Mr. Greenway), Jeff Parsons (Santa Claus), Dania Davies (Charlotte/Security Guard/Ensemble), James Hahn (Matthews/Fake Santa/Ensemble), Matt Maino (Chadwick), and Billy Morris (2nd Security Guard / Ensemble).

The Children's Ensemble includes Geovanna Ayala, Addie Bornstein, Jack Ennis, and Miriam Serna.  The Ensemble includes Allison Giles, Valerie Paschalis, Adrianna Pizzuta, Joel Redmount, Joanna Riley, Samantha Scutieri, Erica Stuppler, and Tracy Tate.

Advance tickets: $25 General Admission ($23 Seniors) | At the door: $30 General Admission ($28 Seniors). Tickets are available for purchase online.




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Performances take place December 9-11 and December 16-18 with Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 1:00pm & 8:00pm; and Sundays at 2:00pm.

The musical includes a Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin; Music by Matthew Sklar; and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

Mike Burdick & Joe Leo are Producers; Ken & Mary Webb are Directors; Mary Webb is the choreographer; Tarron Singletary is Music Director; Amanda Thorn is Stage Manager; Mark Reilly is Lighting Designer; and Maureen Monroe is Costumes.

Here are more photos from the production.

CDC Theatre is located at 78 Winans Avenue in Cranford, New Jersey.

About the author:

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.





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EVENT PREVIEWS

(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park is holding auditions for its fall 2026 children's production of Curious George: The Golden Meatball on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:00pm at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre located inside Roosevelt Park in Edison. Everyone's favorite mischievous monkey and his friend in the yellow hat sing and dance up a storm in this adventure-filled musical.

Music Mountain Theatre presents "Alice By Heart"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Alice By Heart with three performances from August 12-13, 2026. From the Tony and Grammy Award-winning creators of Spring Awakening (Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik) and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress) this is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Chimera Productions presents "Job" at Paul Robeson Center for the Arts

Chimera Productions presents "Job" at Paul Robeson Center for the Arts

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- New Jersey-based theater company Chimera Productions will present its 17th production, Job by Max Wolf Friedlich, from August 13-15, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. The play, presented in the intimate 60-seat theater inside Princeton's Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, is a psychological thriller that offers a sharp, darkly funny, and unsettling examination of our addiction to work, the internet, the cost of modern life, and what we're willing to sacrifice to belong.

Masquerade Theatre presents "Myths, Legends & Folklore Showcase"

(RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents Myths, Legends & Folklore Showcase with performances on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm each night.
Asbury Park Theater Company to Hold Open Auditions for "The Wolves" by Sarah DeLappe

Asbury Park Theater Company to Hold Open Auditions for "The Wolves" by Sarah DeLappe

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Park Theater Company (APTCo) has announced that its first mainstage production under newly appointed Producing Artistic Director Nate Patten will be The Wolves, Sarah DeLappe's Pulitzer Prize finalist play that has captivated audiences across the country with its sharp wit, emotional honesty, and unforgettable portrait of young women finding their voices.
Ferrell Studios Community Theatre presents "Merrily We Roll Along"

Ferrell Studios Community Theatre presents "Merrily We Roll Along"

(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios Community Theatre, a nonprofit theatre organization serving Central New Jersey, announces its upcoming production of Merrily We Roll Along, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The production will close the company's 2025-26 season, themed "Our Time," with five performances at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Auditorium in Metuchen, NJ from August 20-23, 2026.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Rogue Shakespeare with "The Merry Wives of Windsor"

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Rogue Shakespeare with "The Merry Wives of Windsor"

(MADISON, NJ) -- This August, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) invites audiences to experience Shakespeare the way it was meant to be — immediate and gloriously bold — with Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor, running August 14-23, 2026 at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University.

Main Street Theatre Company presents "Pippin"

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents the musical, Pippin, across two weekends from August 15-23, 2026. There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece.

Center Drama presents "Grease"

(DEAL, NJ) -- Center Drama presents the classic musical, Grease, from August 13-23, 2026 at the JCC Performing Arts Center in Deal. With a hip-shaking rock 'n' roll score featuring hits like "Summer Nights" and "We Go Together," Grease celebrates Rydell High's class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory.

Spring Lake Theatre presents "Bye Bye Birdie"

(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre presents Bye Bye Birdie from August 12-16, August 20-23, 2026. Teenagers, rock & roll and national television – this musical captures the energy and excitement of the late 1950s with warmth, hilarity and an exuberant score.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Friday, August 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Sunday, August 16, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


Premiere Stages to present a Staged Reading of "At Liberty Hall"

Sunday, August 16, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ



 

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