Elf’s Sebastian Arcelus on the Joys of Playing Buddy the Elf and His Christmas Traditions with Wife Stephanie J. Block
As the musical adaptation of the hit 2003 Christmas film Elf jingles its way into the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Broadway.com caught up with Sebastian Arcelus, who’s taking on the title role of the overly optimistic, Christmas-obsessed Buddy. Arcelus, who is just as enthusiastic about the new show as his onstage counterpart is about Christmas, recently wrapped his second stint in Jersey Boys as Four Seasons hit-maker Bob Gaudio and has appeared on Broadway in Rent, Good Vibrations and Wicked (alongside his actress wife, Stephanie J. Block). After a recent Elf rehearsal, Arcelus let us unwrap some info about the pressures of playing a character originated by a movie star, the appeal of wearing tights and how he and Stephanie celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
The role of Buddy was created by Will Ferrell. Were you nervous about stepping into those elf boots?
Like anybody else, I love the movie and I love him. I think he’s a hilarious comedy genius. He brought Buddy to life and created the tone of it all. There’s no way I can simply recreate what he did on film, but what we can do is create something new for theater that has different elements and expands on the film. I’m fortunate to be in the position where I can bring a slightly different life to it. I like to think I touch on certain things people will hope for and expect, but at the same time create my own character that is independent of what the movie has done.
So, what’s your take on Buddy?
The key with Buddy is to stay honest and earnest. If every choice of yours is honest and believable for him, you can’t go wrong. He’s so fun and energetic, and that earnestness transfers into humor, charm, joy, happiness and a basic love of all things Christmas.
What do you enjoy most about playing such an optimistic and imaginative character?
There are no limits to what he’s capable of doing or thinking at any different moment. He’s totally liberated from any sense of self-judgment or judgment of others. He doesn’t correct himself. We can walk through life and constantly judge ourselves as we do it, but there’s no self editing system with Buddy. He says what’s on his mind, and it’s always a positive thought or choice even if it’s entirely bizarre and kooky. There are no holds barred. You can literally do anything as long as it’s honest.
What's the biggest challenge in playing a character like Buddy?
I’m a pretty positive guy, but when you tackle a role like this you wonder where you’re going to find the energy to maintain that level of earnestness and joy. It can be exhausting, but I find when you tap into heightening your normal human reactions to things, it’s much more freeing than you would think. Sometimes I’ll leave the show having a great time being positive and joyous, and I’ll go home and bring it with me. My wife will say, “OK you’re giving me Buddy the Elf right now. I think you need to take it down a notch." [Laughs.]
How is it celebrating Christmas eight times a week?
It’s a little surreal to have Christmas every day. We’ve been celebrating Christmas for a couple months now, so we’re ahead of the curve, but there could be worse things, right? We celebrate the holiday season over the course of the year, but we only get one actual Christmas a year so to be able to live in that joy and excitement on a daily basis has been incredible. Also to know that we’re going to be part of the New York holiday season, bringing that energy to 1,400 people a night, is a great feeling.
Buddy wears some pretty bright elf tights. How’s that working out for you?
There’s a certain amount of trepidation going in when you have to throw on tights and a green furry outfit, but I will say that once I had them on it was bizarrely comfortable! Not just from a point that they feel nice, but I felt home in them. That’s a bizarre thing to admit, because what does it say about me? [Laughs.] Our costume designer, Gregg Barnes, is just the best, and he worked with us to find costumes that not only made us feel in character onstage, but that made us feel at home in our characters. I’d already gotten to know my Buddy before donning the costume but once I finally did it just felt right. Interestingly when I’m wearing a suit in one scene, what we call "human work clothes," that’s what feels bizarre. When I play Buddy, the tights, the curly shoes and red hair all feel comfortable.
Has the comfort in tights carried on outside the theater too?
Absolutely not [laughs]. I feel completely normal in my clothes. You have to leave Buddy at the theater. I don’t think you’ll catch me walking down the streets of Manhattan in that outfit, but at the same time I don’t think you can truly be Buddy unless you’re in it.
Has it been difficult to work on a brand new show, knowing that it will open after only two weeks of previews?
It has been nerve-wracking just from the basic standpoint of learning the show. Our director, Casey Nicholaw, is truly remarkable. He’s been so patient, loving and encouraging to all of us. I jumped into this experience without having done any of the workshops, and I had a lot to learn with only three weeks of rehearsal. You couldn’t just jump in half way, you really had to dive in and go full force. We have an incredible company of actors, so working on the piece is a joy.
With such a busy schedule, will you be able to enjoy the holidays yourself?
We’ll maintain our traditions and do the fun things we do, but we’re living on some pretty high octane Christmas already. We have shows on Christmas so we’ll be part of other people’s Christmas, but I think this year Christmas outside of the theater may be more on the quiet side. Inside the theater though we’ll be rocking and rolling.
What are some of your holiday traditions with Stephanie?
I thought I was a huge Christmas fan, but Stephanie has trumped me, without question. We have an entire storage unit that is all Christmas decorations. I think just pulling out all the boxes and decorating the house and the tree becomes an event and is a happy day in our house. I’m kind of like Buddy in that when I pick a Christmas tree I don’t pick the most beautiful or lush tree. I pick the Charlie Brown tree that is busted and needs love and caring. That’s the tree I usually bring home to my wife and we’ll make it beautiful together.
Does Stephanie mind the busted Charlie Brown tree?
She loves the busted tree! She’s very Charlie Brown-y, like me. If we’re walking down the street and she sees a restaurant that’s entirely empty she’ll insist that we eat there to boost their business. It doesn’t matter if maybe it’s empty for a reason [laughs]. If there’s a happening, bustling restaurant and an empty little place next door, we’re always eating at the empty place. She literally is the most giving, loving person I know.
You guys shared the stage in Wicked as Elphaba and Fiyero. Are there any other shows you’d like to appear in together?
Elf is a limited holiday engagement. What’s next for you?
Right now I’m just focusing on Elf. Who knows what the future might bring, but it seems like a bright Christmas-future. I’ll think about all that in the new year.
If the show is a hit and continues to return for future holiday seasons do you hope to reprise your role?
Are you kidding, come on! I can’t imagine having more fun than playing Buddy the Elf. We’re hoping it comes back and with everyone attached. It’d be hard to pass that up.
See Sebastian Arcelus in Elf at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
