Review by: Mila Vincent, Johanna Luza, and Nancy Churnin.
Experiencing theater through the eyes of nine-year-old Mila Vincent, fyi50+’s youngest theater critic in Dallas, is always a delight as she shares her thoughts on productions she’s seeing for the first time. This time, Mila was joined by her co-reviewing grandmother, Johannah Luza, her six-year-old sister, Avivah, and her five-year-old cousin, Everly Shayn, to enjoy the CenterStage Theatre Works production of Elf the Musical.
Mila’s review:
I saw the movie Elf, but I’d never seen the play. Seeing it on stage was so much fun, and the people at CenterStage Theatre Works are so friendly! I brought my cousin and little sister, and they loved it! We laughed so hard.
Thomas Schnaible played Buddy the Elf, and he was hilarious! My little sister couldn’t stop laughing, and neither could my cousin. My grandma was laughing, too. I had to keep saying ‘Shhh’ so other people could hear.
Elf is a human, but he thinks he’s an elf. He doesn’t know he’s a human. But he doesn’t fit in with the other elves—he’s taller than everyone! Santa loves him anyway. Then he finds out he’s not a real elf, and Santa sends him to New York City to meet his dad. Boy, that was a real surprise to his dad! Buddy, the elf, has a hard time convincing him that he’s his dad. He didn’t even know he had a son, especially one who acts like a silly elf!
Buddy gets a girlfriend and takes her to dinner to eat spaghetti with syrup on top. I did that once, and it was pretty good!
I like CenterStage Theatre Works because you’re so close to the actors. During the play, Buddy the Elf threw snow all over us! It wasn’t real snow, but it was so fun!
Jovie, Buddy’s girlfriend, was also a great actor. Lauren Rodriguez played her, and my little cousin Everly Shayn loved her!”
Johanna’s review:
“Seeing Elf with three little girls was pure joy! The actors had their attention the entire time, and the girls had difficulty leaving after meeting the characters. They could have stayed for hours if I had let them!
This is such a fun show with a wonderful lesson. Five stars, for sure. Take your family—you’ll all leave with big smiles!”
Where: CentreStage Theatre Works | Frisco Discovery Theatre, 8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco
When: Now through Dec. 15
Website: cstheatreworks.com
Email: cstheatreworks@gmail.com
