Featuring 40 performers singing and dancing up a storm, the Chantilly-based Encore Theatrical Arts Project presents "The (not-so) Christmas Elf." This holiday spectacular will be presented at the Ernst Community Cultural Center on NOVA's Annandale campus, and it promises to be truly special.
"WE'VE BEEN rehearsing since August," said director and choreographer Raynor van der Merwe. "It's a well-rounded musical with a strong storyline that will really capture the imagination of young and old alike."
Showtimes are Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 9-10; Friday, Dec. 15; and Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 16-17. Saturday performances are at 1, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sunday shows are at 1 and 4 p.m. The Friday performance is at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $12, students and senior citizens, and $15, adults. They may be ordered at 703-222-5511 or via www.encore-tap.org.
Playing the title role of Cole the elf is 12-year-old Colby Dezelick, a seventh-grader at Rachel Carson Middle School. The only male in an otherwise female cast, he's been dancing for seven years and is in his fourth Christmas show with Encore.
As the story goes, elves are supposed to drink cocoa to stay sweet. But when an elf named Nugget drinks coffee instead, he changes his name to Cole (as in "coal" in your stocking) and becomes mischievous. He goes to New York to put on a not-so-spectacular show to bring down Santa Claus and Christmas.
"He wants to show people that Santa is evil and snow is bad," said Colby. "If he gets under Christmas snow, it'll turn him back into a good elf, but he doesn't want that because he's still under the influence of coffee."
"It's really fun to play because you have to be hyper and cool at the same time," he continued. Colby doesn't want to portray him as completely bad, he explained, because "deep down, Cole's still Nugget and I've got to show that. But it's interesting to be good and bad at once."
HE LIKES being the villain because "I have minions under me who do what I tell them to, and I get to be crazy and interact with a lot more people." And since he's the lead, he gets to be in lots of the dance numbers and act, as well.
Colby's favorite musical number is "Gettin' in the Mood," with actors talking about getting into the Christmas spirit. "It's before I put my spell on them, so it's an uplifting song and a really cool dance," he said. "I get to do all these jumps and tricks and flips. And five girls sing and everyone dances."
He says it's a wonderful, family show that'll keep the audience wondering what'll happen next. Will Cole ever be a good elf again? Will his two, head elves, Holly and her apprentice Cookie, be able to save Christmas and remove the spell from everyone? And will Santa save the day?
Former Centreville resident Karsten Dees, 12, plays Holly. Wearing a dress with a red-and-green plaid taffeta skirt, a red bodice, a pointy gold sash and a matching cap, she tries to make sure everything goes right.
"She just got appointed head elf, and she doesn't want Santa to think she's not doing her job," said Karsten. "She carries her clipboard and catalogues everything. I really like playing her because she's a lot like me."
The hardest part, she said, is "getting used to the fake eyelashes" she has to wear. "They feel very awkward." But she loves being in the show because "everyone pulls together as a big team and it's really cool to be a part of that."
Karsten's favorite number is "Rhythm of Life." The actors Cole recruits from the New York streets are under his spell. "They explain that, instead of Christmas spirit, they have the rhythm of life," said Karsten. "Cookie and I are terrified because we've never seen anything like this before."
Alycia Adams, 10, an Oak Hill Elementary fourth-grader, plays Cookie. "She's the head elf in training," said Alycia. "She's a really perky elf, but she knows what she can and can't do around Holly."
Alycia likes the "Multiplying Santas" number best. "Holly and Cookie have just walked through the lower basement of the Metropolitan Museum of Art," she said. "Holly pushes a button and all these Santas — under Cole's spell — come out of nowhere.
SHE SAYS the audience will "like the fact that it's a kids' show that grownups can relate to — because they were kids once, looking forward to Santa coming."
Caroline Rushing, 17, a Centreville High senior, has been dancing since age 3. She dances and sings in the show, and her favorite number is the "White Christmas" medley at the beginning of the second act.
"We're singing and dancing in pretty costumes, and the medley has a Christmasy spirit to it," she said. "There's also a variety of colors and costumes. We start as Raggedy Anns and then switch into blue, beaded dresses when the song changes."
The toughest part, said Caroline, is all the costume changes: "They're very fast and they take a lot of practice to get them down." What she likes best is the audience response — "to be able to see the audience's reaction and share with them what I want to do."
"Sometimes, [rehearsals] are tedious and you want to go home," she continued. "But it's definitely all worth it in the end." Calling this year's show a real "crowd pleaser," Caroline said, "It's funny and there are lots of things to watch on stage. Families and kids of all ages will enjoy it and want to come back and see it again. We're having fun and, at the end of the day, we all love it."
Westfield High junior Brittany Martin, 16, has been with Encore seven years. In the show, she sings and dances as a Raggedy Ann doll, a Radio City Music Hall Rockette, a snowflake and a ballerina. She likes the "Jukebox Jumping" number most of all.
"I'm one of five vocalists in it, and everyone else is dancing," she said. "It's set in a coffee shop and we're its singers. It's a very upbeat, energetic number. But it's a challenge because you have to spit out the words rapid fire, and there's a lot of tight harmonies. We each do different parts."
Brittany's favorite costumes are the white gowns with fur and long trains that she and the others wear for the "White Christmas" medley. She said the show's "plot is really good, the dances are pleasing to the eye and the sets are amazing. And we have performers of all ages."
The sets will transport people to the Java Club — a coffee shop with elaborate tapestry and a medallion in the background, and to a bright and colorful toy shop full of busy and bustling elves. Audiences will also be treated to a winter scene and to Encore's signature, New York skyline.
Centreville High junior Courtney Moran, 17, is in her ninth year with Encore and likes dancing because "it brings so much joy to people, doing what you love and expressing yourself through the music." Her favorite number is one where she and others are dressed as Raggedy Anns and dance in character as if they were dolls.
She's also pleased to get to act in this show and says the audience will enjoy seeing how performers ages 8-18 work together on the stage. And, she added, "This show will really get the audience ready for Christmas."
FOR THE FINALE, Ali Waldman, 13, a Liberty Middle School eighth-grader, wears a magenta dress and oversized beret trimmed with white fur. She's danced for 10 years and especially likes "The Sisters" number.
"Four Raggedy Ann dolls who are sisters are singing about how much they love each other, and I love the lyrics," she said. "Dancing is a challenge, but I feel like — when I get in costume — I get to be anyone I want."
Ali's happy to be part of Encore because of "the people and the nurturing environment. Raynor's prepared us for outside life and given us confidence and self-discipline."
As for van der Merwe, she says her dancers have both the desire and talent to make this a fantastic show. "And that's the exciting part about working with young people — they're hungry and want to do their best."