“Elf The Musical,” a bright and joyful revival debuting tonight for a brief holiday run on Broadway, is a delightful offering from a dedicated cast for fans of the beloved 2003 Will Ferrell holiday classic. If you reminisce about Mr. Narwhal (represented here by a large tusk as the conductor cheerfully says, “Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad!”), this show is perfect for you.

For others, particularly adults, the revised “Elf” remains a mixed experience, similar to its previous Broadway iterations in 2010 and 2012, with a significant improvement: Grey Henson, the charming dynamo known from “Mean Girls” and “Shucked,” effortlessly steps into Buddy’s shoes as if they were made for him.

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Henson and the cast deliver a loud, vibrant performance reminiscent of children’s theater, with every joke (many of which are new) and emotion emphasized. At two hours and 30 minutes, this is quite a lot of exuberance.

However, the creative team behind this adaptation—directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin and music by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin—manages to enhance the show’s energy in the final scenes, showcasing some of “Elf’s” finest moments. Highlights include a stunning duet (“There Is A Santa Claus”) performed by Ashley Brown and young Kai Edgar, as well as Santa’s amusing sleigh ride over the audience.

The plot follows the movie closely: a human baby, raised as an elf in the North Pole, discovers his true identity at 30 and seeks out his biological father in New York City. Sporting elf attire and a childlike demeanor, Buddy captures the hearts of cynical New Yorkers, though his father, Walter Hobbs (Michael Hayden), is initially hard to win over. Walter is a wealthy, workaholic children’s book publisher who, while not as miserly as Dickens’ character, is still emotionally distant from his family.

Walter struggles as a father, being detached from his loving wife and 10-year-old son, while Buddy disrupts his office during a busy holiday season.

There’s also a love interest (Kayla Davion, another strong vocalist), a finicky boss (Kalen Allen) at Macy’s, and the charismatic Santa (Sean Astin, clearly enjoying his role, even making a humorous Lord of the Rings reference).

With a guaranteed happy ending typical of Christmas tales, “Elf” leans more on its festive visuals than its plot, which can feel overstuffed. This production, which has seen success in London for the last two holiday seasons, effectively creates a festive atmosphere. Tim Goodchild’s set design starts off simple but shines in the larger scenes, supported by Ian William Galloway’s charming video projections.

The set design excels during the vibrant Macy’s Santa Land scene and a snowy finale, showcasing where the production’s budget is allocated. Goodchild’s costume design is consistently strong, though the time period can be unclear. Liam Steel’s choreography offers energetic and occasionally clever moments, including some Fosse-inspired moves during “Nobody Cares About Santa.”

Overall, the lively choreography and Henson’s boundless energy add excitement to a pleasant, though somewhat forgettable score. Songwriters Sklar and Beguelin would later go on to create the superior “The Prom,” a contribution for which they deserve recognition.

Title: Elf The Musical

Venue: Broadway’s Marquis Theatre

Director: Philip Wm. McKinley

Book: Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin

Music: Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin

Cast: Grey Henson, Sean Astin, Kayla Davion, Michael Hayden, Ashley Brown, Kai Edgar, Jennifer Sanchez, Kalen Allen, Michael Deaner

Running time: 2 hr 30 min (including intermission)

Person: Grey Henson, Sean Astin, Kayla Davion, Michael Hayden, Ashley Brown, Kai Edgar, Jennifer Sanchez, Kalen Allen, Michael Deaner, Philip Wm. McKinley, Thomas Meehan, Bob Martin, Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin

Company Names:

Titles: Elf The Musical, Mean Girls, Shucked, Tammy Faye, The Prom

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