Video: Inside Opening Night of ELF with Grey Henson, Sean Astin & More

I start the show. I go on the ride of Buddy, and then I blink and we're bowing

So it's a blast. I mean, it's hard work, but it is the most fun I've ever had. I'm so, so lucky, yeah

Oh, my God. I feel like I've been shot out of a cannon and I had too much candy

Hello, I'm Richard Ridge for Broadway World. Elf the Musical is back on Broadway this holiday season, and we're here to celebrate with the company at their opening

elf is at its core about family and love and community and believing and it's like I've

sorry I keep getting emotional today but it's like surprised me how much this show sort of hits me

in my emotional core because I love the movie I know the movie is such a sweet fun silly holiday

flick but like the show like with all musicals I think because when people

People sing, you dive deeper into their psyches. You just get so much heart from this production

And so it's meant just the fact that we get to share that and bring so many people joy right now

because I think so many people just want a little injection of joy

And so we get to do that. Like, what a gift, yeah. Leading a show, there's been so much pressure, I guess, to do it

and also to deliver this iconic character. But if I think too much about it, I'll get lost in it

And so what I do is just try to bring truth and honesty to buddy, and it's so beautiful because he's nothing but honest

He just lives his life authentically in such a beautiful way. And it's almost easy getting to do that without the neuroses of gray

And so in a weird way it like a roller coaster Also I never done a role where I am constantly being used for like two and a half hours I always had my breaks where I like okay I go offstage to my dressing room

It's like truly, it's in a weird way easier because I don't have time to think

I start the show. I go on the ride of Buddy, and then I blank and we're bowing

So it's a blast. I mean, it's hard work, but it is the most fun I've ever had

I'm so, so lucky, yeah. What's made this so special with working on El

Oh my God, the people. Like, I know we hear it all the time, but these people, this company

it's a lot of Broadway debuts. It brings the spirit of newness again

Everybody is so joyous. They're so happy to be here. And also, Christmas spirit, y'all

Christmas spirit, we need it this time of year. Okay, we need it. So, yeah

Sharing the stage with Gray. What is that like? Oh, my God

Gray is, hands down, probably the best scene partner I've ever had in my life

What he does on that stage is actually insane to the point where when he comes off, I'm like

are you good? And honestly, he's the most generous on stage. He's a very generous partner, and he plays

I never expect the same thing from him. Day to day is always different, and we're always going for it

Okay? Oh, it's amazing. It feels like home. It has been a minute, as we all know

and I'm just so, so grateful to have this opportunity because as we know, not everybody gets to do this, right

And so I'm very thankful to be a part of such a magical show

and it's so fun and funny. And I get to play a role in a person that I've never had the chance to do

And so it's such a gift. I feel like people leave, like, really needing to escape right now

with the world being what it is. And you come in and the minute the overture starts you are put in a completely different place And it a place of joy It a place of love It funny But it all about making time for your family

And in the end, and I think that's a good reminder for us all. Oh, I'm so excited

It's been a joyous process. And I have to say what I'm most excited about is that given everything that's going on in the world right now

which is not so funny, to get to do this play and for two and a half hours to watch such joy

and an explosion of happiness. That's no small thing right now. What's made this so special for you with working on L

That it's pure joy. It's not like it's for the, it's for, you know

not having to, you get it swept away in this story for that amount of time

And I love the Palco story. You know, I got the, the audition like a day before and I'd never read it and I hadn't read that little scene

and I just think she's just such a she's just a kook and I relate. It is literally my wildest

dreams. I've always always wanted to be on Broadway ever since I was like two and it's

it's crazy to just think that everything's going to happen right all today. Today and tonight

is your Broadway debut. Welcome to Broadway. How does it feel? Emotional

It's a lot, isn't it? It is, and there's traditions that you've heard of or you know exist

but to be welcomed in by equity as one of the debut artists and then to honor the ensemble you know and even in the rehearsal hall there were rituals that we did And you just yeah it indescribable I been in terror

But since we've been in previews, the audiences are doing something. The audiences are

I don't know, you know, I'm new, right? I'm new. So I don't say anything with authority. I'm just

like, you know, exploring my how to communicate. But before the curtain went up in the first show, when it was the invited people

there was a quality in their irrational exuberance of desperation. And when the, and when the, it came up, the curtain went up, and I'm first, I'm Santa

and I'm telling the story, they were so just grateful to be welcomed into the arms of like

a loving story. storytelling experience. And from that moment, I feel a little less like

you know, and I've been saying this to some of your colleagues, is that my takeaway from this

aside from Phil, the director, and Nate the composer, and Ricky, the choreographer

and Gray and Michael, all the actors, they're incredible. It's the ensemble

The ensemble, to me, is indescribable. They are the talent, the professionalism

the skill, the heart, the work ethic, the compassion they have for each other, for me, for everyone

and the sense of like mounting a show in what was a relatively short period of time

I am in awe of them. And when you say, are you having fun, I'm like, when I feel like I'm not going to disappoint them

it's a little more fun