Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Alex Goodrich, an actor who occupies that young-Tom-Hanks niche and has established himself as the No. 1 goof in Chicago musical theater (his previous competition, Rod Thomas, has graduated to playing the likes of Javert, for goodness sake). Goodrich has a lot more discipline as a performer now, and his Buddy is thoroughly charming - sweet, guileless, just like Hanks in "Big," which surely was the model for the character. His appeal is matched by Dara Cameron, who is approaching the peak of her powers and plays Jovie, the cute, lonely-heart love interest who falls for this man-child. It's a tough assignment for an actor, given that Buddy looks a whole lot like a creep for much of the show, and Cameron pulls it off beautifully, without making her character look so needy as to be, well, totally unhinged. It's a delicate balance, Elf-love, so good for her."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...“Elf” will never be mistaken for one of the great entries in the American musical canon. Yet this holiday season show — based on the 2003 movie of the same name that starred Will Ferrell, and was first produced on Broadway in 2010 — is now receiving such a charming, heartfelt production at the Marriott Theatre that you easily can dance around the sight of all those green, curly-toed slippers worn by Santa Claus’ preternaturally happy elves."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Elf the musical is essentially the same as Elf the 2003 movie, only with a streamlined plot and much more singing, dancing, jazz hands, and sap. The cast is charming. The songs are hummable. But in the end, the musical replaces the movie's refreshing streak of cynicism with some obnoxious lecturing-in-song about how the True Spirit of Christmas is not about laughter and happiness but about cliched memories no one ever had outside a Hallmark commercial and also buying stuff. And then joy curdles into nausea."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Robin's economical but impressive staging and dance numbers work well in the space, giving us just enough holiday sweetness to induce a sugar rush without the head-splitting crash of overconsumption. Considering that Buddy walked some 3,000 miles from the North Pole to New York City, the short trip to Lincolnshire is a comparably easy journey for a light-hearted evening of candy-sprinkled entertainment."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...When I saw the 2010 Movie of Elf with Will Farrell, I thought it was entertaining, fun, with a good story. However, Will Farrell's portrayal of Buddy the Elf I found a little disturbing and a little creepy. After seeing Marriott Lincolnshire's production of "Elf" A Broadway Musical, I am happy to say it brought a warm feeling, and a tear to my eye as well as doing so with the rest of the audience. This was all due to Marriott's casting of Alex Goodrich as Buddy."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...The Marriott has entrusted this cute and quirky little musical to that most creative musical theatre magician, Director and Choreographer Marc Robin, whose whimsical ingenuity rarely lags. Robin has managed to create the illusion of an ice skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza, a workshop full of elves merrily peddling about on bicycles, and Santa's magical sleighmobile ride. And what Marc Robin musical comedy would be complete without a bit of tap dancing? At times the Marriott's small in-the-round stage is so heavy with traffic it needs a stop light. But what a jolly traffic jam it is. It's all tied up with colorful ribbons and bows by Costume Designer Nancy Missimi and unfolds beneath Set Designer Thomas Ryan's festive canopy of twinkling Christmas lights. "Elf" is a charming start to the season."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...This is an amazing production of a so-so musical that is geared for family fun. There are lots of musical numbers with some terrific dancing (with Robin there is always great dance and it seems always a tap number). Ryan T. Nelson is the musical director and Patti Garwood and her 7 musicians make the music come alive as it propels the story from start to finish. The book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin and music (Matthew Sklar) and lyrics (Chad Beguelin) are nice but unlike many of the musicals at Marriott, not ones where you will find yourself joining in or humming along and I doubt that you will remember one melody an hour after you leave the theater."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...This warmhearted musical is the perfect family holiday entertainment. Presented with precise, energetic direction and spirited choreography by Marc Robin, this production features a blindingly colorful set and lighting design by Thomas M. Ryan and Jesse Klug, brilliant, whimsical costumes fashioned by Nancy Missimi and superb musical direction by Ryan T. Nelson, with the talented Patti Garwood accompanying her eight-member pit orchestra. The Story of Buddy the Elf is sure to become Chicagoland’s newest, happiest holiday favorite for audiences of all ages."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...“Elf” tries to strike a balance between a show that will entertain children but still provide pleasure to adults. At the Marriott, it’s basically a children’s show, though there are numerous droll adult embellishments. The book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin has some witty lines that will tickle adult ears. There are jokes and one-liners tweaking New York City and the tri-state area, which likely will bypass the understanding of youngsters and even older viewers who never visited the Big Apple. Just the mention of New Jersey automatically draws a laugh from New York City-familiar spectators."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...With a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, any professional live Elf is likely worthy, family-friendly, holiday fun. Act 1 is a 75-minute smile; Act 2 systematically ties up the plot lines before closing with a grin that deserves to last at least a week."