Jersey Arts Podcast

Spreading Joy (For All to Hear) with Surflight's Production of 'Elf, the Musical'

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“It’s just nice to meet another human who shares my affinity for elf culture.”

While that may be a quote from the movie, "Elf", it’s also the truth. Gina is a huge fan of the movie and elf culture! While she's yet to see its musical counterpart, she was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Buddy himself, actor Dustin Ceithamer who is portraying the lead in the "Elf, the Musical" at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven this December.

Directed and choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan, the show is a fun holiday romp for the whole family and an exciting adaptation of a holiday classic. Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin are responsible for the musical score and the book was adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan.

On today’s episode, Gina and Dustin chat about all things Elf, of course, and his experiences in both theater and film, including his tenure as a member of the Star Wars empire. 

What it’s like to be one of the coolest people in the galaxy?

Thanks for listening!

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Gina Marie Rodriguez:

This is Gina Marie Rodriguez, and you're listening to the Jersey Arts podcast. You know, it's just nice to meet another human who shares my affinity for elf culture. While that may be a quote from the movie Elf, it's also the truth. I'm a huge fan of the movie and elf culture. And while I've yet to see its musical counterpart, I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Buddy himself, actor Dustin Ceithamer, who's portraying the lead in elf musical at Surflight Theater in Beachhaven this December. Directed and choreographed by Paula Hammond Sloan, this show is a fun holiday romp for the whole family and an exciting adaptation of a holiday classic. Matthew Sklar and Chad Beglin are responsible for the musical score, and the book was adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Mehan. And on today's episode, Dustin and I chat about all things elf, of course, and his experiences in both theater and film, including his tenure as a member of the Star Wars Empire. And guys, I couldn't help but start there. I just had to know what it's like to be one of the coolest people in the galaxy. Stick around. You'll see. So yeah, Star Wars. What's it like to be one of the cool people?

Dustin Ceithamer:

Oh, it's, you know, people always ask, you know, like, was it a dream come true to be part of Star Wars? And the answer is no, because I didn't know you could dream that big. Like, I honestly, you know, you see something like Star Wars and it's so unattainable. It's, you know, it's just this other universe that, you know, you you grew up watching and loving, and it's so part of our culture. Um, that you you just don't think you could ever be a part of it other than being a fan. And so then when you have the opportunity to audition for it, and then you're getting past like several interviews, and all of a sudden it's like you and another person, you're like, wait, this could this really happen? Is this my life? And it's truly one of the most exciting experiences. I really feel like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, when he gets that golden ticket, I feel like Star Wars was my gold ticket. It it just to be to be invited to be a part of that universe was it was a dream come true.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

A dream you didn't know you had. That's so cool.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yeah.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

And I I mean, again, like I said, I I mostly know the original movies, but I feel like your character may have saved Obi-Wan Kenobi. Did that happen? Am I correct?

Dustin Ceithamer:

You know, it's been far enough that I think I can give a couple spoilers, but yeah, my um my character just had a hero heart and um saved Obi-Wan Kenobi from a couple precarious situations a couple times, but I did get to like cradle you and McGregor in my arms.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Oh my god.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Now that's that was also a dream come true.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I was gonna say that's the real dream there. I'm a little bit envious.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yeah, I got to um they, you know, they film with Star Wars, every detail is so important. Um, they are meticulous on set. And because of that, the filming takes longer than a normal filming, and you do things from a million angles. You know, sometimes um I have worked on soap operas soap operas before, and they move so quick that they, you know, maybe we'll get the shot from one angle. They're like, okay, we got what we need, moving on. But with Star Wars, because they're creating something so paramount, um, they get it from like a million angles. And so the days are very, very long. But because of that, um, you get to know your co-stars very, very well, and you get a lot of time on set with them. And it just, it was such a magical experience. But Ewan McGregor is as cool as you hope he is. Like he he does not disappoint. He's one of those guys who knows everyone's name on set. Um, he treats everyone with such respect and just is there to have a good time. But then when they, you know, with say cameras rolling, he locks in and you just you see his work ethic, and he's just a delight to work with on so many levels.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

That's such a relief. You know, you always fear like there's the saying, never meet your heroes. So whenever I do hear that someone has met a celebrity who's actually a genuinely nice person, I get just really excited, and I I love to hear that. So thank you for sharing. But we won't make this a stan account about uh Ewan McGregor as much as I want to. I I wanted to, I guess you mentioned the soap operas, so I do want to talk about like that extreme parallel between what you just said about the long days on set for Star Wars versus how quick they move on soap operas versus what it is to be in theater, because they are all very, very different things, and you kind of have you know one foot in each. Not that you have three feet, but you know what I mean.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Um sometimes I have two left feet, but I that's a story for another day.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Says the choreographer. That's crazy. Talk to me about that though. Like what how do you did you first fall in love with theater before you fell in love with film, or what was your trajectory?

Dustin Ceithamer:

You know, that's uh I I think you're it's a very interesting observation because the final product is very similar. When you watch a movie or a soap opera, or you know, you go to see a play, the you know, it's entertainment, they're telling a story, but the mediums of art are very, very different. Um, and yeah, they they they seem similar and there are like there is crossover, but um it is a very different medium. I grew up doing musical theater. Um, you know, I sang in my church choir, and my church was kind of progressive at the time, and we had a drama team, so I got to be part of that. And then in school I was part of a choir. Um, and then we would do, you know, these kind of I use this loosely, but like musicals, you know, at my school. And um I just I always had kind of a flair for the dramatic and you know, was like affirmed in that area by teachers and I had a good memory so I could memorize quickly, and so they would give me lines and I was dependable that way. And um, so I just kind of grew up doing, you know, I was around music and theater. And um, by the time I was maybe fifth or sixth grade, um started doing community theater, and uh that's where I really got the bug. Just I I found out that you could sing and dance and act all at the same time. And I was on sensory overload, and this was like the coolest thing in the world to me. So I, you know, just really dove in. Um, and it wasn't until a little later, maybe my um early 20s, that I started doing commercials and extra work and started uh dabbling in the film world. Um, but then the trajectory kind of went off from theirs. But yeah, I started doing musical theater, so I'm I'm really coming back to my roots being an elf. Um, it's actually been a while since I have done a lot of film and television in the last 10 years. And so coming back to live theater, it's kicking my butt in the best kind of way. It's so satisfying as an artist because you really feel like you're firing on all cylinders. You know, I'm having to sing and do really complex choreography, and you have to memorize all of the lines at once where you know, when you do a movie, you just go scene by scene and exactly get a break. We have to do this all in one take every night, and that's a lot of pressure. And I definitely feel, you know, those excited, nervous feelings at the beginning of every show.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I I mean, gosh, I haven't done theater in such a long time, so I I can't even pretend to know what you're going through right now. But since since ELF started as a movie, I think that's a great segue. Did you were you a fan of the film before you saw the show? Is this your first time, your first experience with the musical, or uh, what is your relationship to e.f. Both the movie and the musical?

Dustin Ceithamer:

ELF is such a heartwarming story. I just love I I've always been a fan of the movie, just so funny. There's so many iconic lines. Um, and evidence is that it's just so many t-shirts. You walk around and you just see people wearing t-shirts, like I, you know, I'm smiling, or you know, Santa, I know him. And just these like, or hi, Mr. Norwal. You know, like there's just these like super iconic lines. Um, it's a very quotable movie. So I've I've been a fan, but this is actually my first kind of exposure to the musical, um, which is so wonderful. It the adaptation was written by uh a man named Thomas Meehan who took the you know film to the stage, and it's such a smart, witty, fast-paced. The the pace of it is so fun. Um, it's very contemporary, a lot of jokes, um, multi-generational jokes. So, like things for kids, things for adults, um, basically, you know, things for grandmas, any anyone you bring to to the show is gonna have a good time. There's a little something for everyone in it, but it's it's such a wonderfully written, constructed, crafted musical. It's such an honor to get to perform it.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I'm so jealous. I wish I could see it. And like I said, I I've never seen the show before, but I was listening to the soundtrack before talking to you. Uh, and I think I found my new favorite pep talk, and it's just to thine own elf be true. Yes. I'm gonna be stealing that because it's more fun to say than you know, to thine own self. I would rather be an elf. So that's what I'll be saying moving forward. Pep talks in the mirror, to thine own elf be true.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Thy own elf be true. I love that.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I'll be stealing it. That and um sparkle jolly tinkle jingly.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yeah.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I think I think that's just a fun thing to say. So I'll be stealing that as well. Why not?

Dustin Ceithamer:

It sure is.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Do you have a favorite song? That's always such an unfair thing to ask a performer, but I ask it anyway. Do you have a favorite song from the show?

Dustin Ceithamer:

You know, there is a um the opening of act two. There's so many great songs, first of all. The music in the show is it's peppy, it's fun. I I've watched some interviews with the people who wrote it, and just they said, we want to create a classic Christmas score. So it really has like a big band feel. Um, it's contemporary sounding, so it's very accessible, but it has this kind of nostalgic, like, I've heard these songs before. Um, it's very reminiscent of old Broadway. If you like big, smatchy, you know, Broadway shows, this is a show for you. Um, but the opening of act two is um it's such a fun number with all the Santa Claus. There's like all the the Santa Clauses who are at Macy's and you know, the department stores, they come together and they sing kind of a no respect for Santa Claus type song. And it's such a fun song to sing every night. But yeah, the big opening of act two is a great way to get the audience back into the swing of the show. It's I it's probably one of my favorite numbers.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I love that. And now our our listeners know what they should be looking forward to in act two. So don't forget to come back from the bathroom, guys.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yes, grab a snack and then come back.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Exactly. I also wanted to talk to you. We'll come back to Elf in a second, but I wanted to talk to you about your experience as a composer yourself because you've you've composed and artistically produced at least six, I want to say, six full-length musicals. So talk to me about what it is to have been a creator yourself versus having to jump into someone else's creation.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yeah. So um, I had mentioned before that I grew up doing community theater, and I I think that that was such like I jumped into very ambitious community theater. So we were doing all original musicals at the theater that I was raised at. It's called the Lifehouse Theater in Southern California. So they have a repertoire of like 52, I think, original musicals they do, um, kind of in rotation. And they're always adding new ones. And so, as a you know, a 15-year-old kid, um, you know, every business is uh short-staffed and underpaid and overworked. And that's true in community theater, you know, a lot of people, a few people wear a lot of hats. And so if you show propensity in any direction, they're like, please help us. So, because of that, um, at a young age, I got to work in the tech booth, you know, I got to do spotlights, I got to help paint scenery, I got to um learn about costume construction and design. And um, but because we were also writing original musicals, I got to kind of watch these original musicals being created. So I really was like, oh, I started off just maybe writing a song or two and then submitting it to the you know, the artistic director, and maybe one would be okayed every now and then. We're like, yeah, we'll put this in the show. And that was so exciting. Um, and then I, as I got a little older, I was like, I think I could write a whole musical. So I started like, you know, putting it together and um under the men's mentorship of like Wayne R. Scott, he was, you know, like helping me shape, you know, and just learning structure and flow. And um before you know it, you have a whole musical written, you know, just little by little. But I'm really grateful for community theater because I really think it's such a gift to the community, um, you know, just to be able to come and see a show. But then also for the people in it, it gives them an opportunity to express creativity, to build confidence, especially kids. You know, it's it's hard to be a kid and you know, find your voice. And I think theater really helps you be a part of a team, learn teamwork and cooperation, and people are depending on you for things or responsibility. Um, but then it's also a great creative expression. Um, so but that was kind of my journey and into writing. Um, and I just continue to do it as I got older and um just kept writing. And I've been very fortunate to have my work produced, which is like such a fun thing to see. Um, but jumping into someone else's work is such a gift, too, because the only thing you have to do is memorize your lines and show up for rehearsal, you know, the pressure of like figuring it out or solving the problem. And ELF is such a wonderful show to jump into because it is so well crafted. Uh, like I mentioned, the pace, it just keeps moving, you know, it everything there's so many fun jokes. Um the audience is laughing almost continuously. It's such a fun, lighthearted musical to jump into. And I think anyone who comes see the show at Surflight is gonna just have a wonderful night out or a wonderful, you know, a matinee.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Yeah, that sounds so I mean, it sounds like it's fair to call it a faithful adaptation. Would we say it's fairly faithful to the film?

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yeah, you know, the the things that you love about Elf are all in it. Um, you know, they of course there's some things that you probably can't do on stage, you know, that they do with like some movie magic and CGI. Um, so they had to, you know, adapt it to the stage, but it it tells the story in such a beautiful way. The heart of the story is still there. One of my most favorite things about the show is just um Buddy, the character I play, is so wholesome. You know, it it's a story about someone who was raised in a culture who finds themselves in another culture. And, you know, I think we can all relate to that at some point, you know, like we're raised in our homes, and then maybe we move to New York or we move into a corporate position, or you know, you go to college for the first time, or you know, just these different experiences where you find yourself in a culture that's not the one you were raised in. And, you know, it's a show about culture shock, and some of the humor is just how innocent and wholesome buddy is, you know, maneuvering this journey. And it's so fun to play just that like innocence and you know, purity of heart. And that's what that's where a lot of the comedy stems from, you know, just him reacting to this completely different world.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

You explain that so well, and I I feel like I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the fact that, you know, Buddy himself is kind of like the the odd man out when he's growing up as well. In both worlds, he's the odd man out, but he is a very tall human among elves. And I I have to point out that you yourself are quite tall. What are you are you six eight?

Dustin Ceithamer:

That is correct. You've really done, I just want to say you've done some really great research um you know, preparing for this interview. Yes, I am I am six foot eight. Um, and yeah, I just so physically I kind of relate to not, you know, fitting in a bed and not fitting in a shower or on an airplane or you know, in a car, and just these things that make life a little difficult for someone who's a little out of place.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Yeah, I mean, I can't even imagine. I'm five two for reference. So a little bit different than you. I fit everywhere. You could stuff me in a hole in the wall and I would fit. But I think that must that must be so great for you as an actor because you can relate to your character in a way that maybe you know, someone who's five five can't, right? But I I love this the story, the mission of elf, because it is about being accepting. And you know, I I grew up well, I actually I'm not that not that young. So like the movie was out when I was older. But I'm saying I I feel like I've grown up with ELF. It was just such an important film to me because it is about joy, but it's about acceptance, and it sounds like the musical has achieved that just as well.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Very much so. Yeah, the heart of the the things that you love about the movie are here on stage um seven times a week or six times a week at Surflight. So yeah, come out and see it, and it's the your heart will totally be warmed and you'll just have a great night out. And if you have kids, bring them. If you have, you know, senior citizens in your house, bring them. It really is a like multi-generational fun show to bring people to.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I love that. I'm really excited. I hope our listeners are gonna buy their tickets immediately. That's the goal, guys. Go out and see Elf, the musical, at Surflight in Beachhaven.

Dustin Ceithamer:

You know, the other thing, um, I was getting tickets for my family who's gonna be coming, you know, which is so exciting. Um, but there's so many performances that are already sold out. And so if it if this is something that the audience is like curious about or would like to come see, it's kind of an act now situation. There's some performances that only have maybe two or three seats. Um, there's a few that still have like, you know, could accommodate a group, but the tickets are honestly when I say like hurry now, it's not a marketing scheme, it's the truth.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Yeah, no, I I want people to get their tickets immediately. Like I said, I won't be able to go, I'll be out of state. So that's one more seat free for you guys. Otherwise, I would have already snatched up my ticket. But I I wish you guys wait, no, I can't wish actors luck. Break break legs. That's that's one thing.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yeah, you can break legs.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I had to stop myself.

Dustin Ceithamer:

But I think I don't want anyone to wish me that because oh gosh.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I don't know what to say. Have a great idea.

Dustin Ceithamer:

No, break legs, break legs, it's very appropriate. Very appropriate.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

Yeah, I've always found that a strange good luck token anyway. Like, because why would you wish that on someone? I don't know the history of it. We won't go into it. Either way, I want you to have a great show. I know that people are gonna enjoy this, and I know that you're gonna be the best buddy. I can already tell that you're gonna be the best buddy because you already embody his joy and his exuberance. And it was really lovely speaking with you.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Oh, such a pleasure to speak. Thank you for having me on your show. And I just love that you're just bringing awareness to these wonderful businesses. Like Surflight has been around for uh like 70 years. It's like it really is a community staple and it's such an important piece of like the Beach Haven culture. Um, something else I just will mention, like such a great way to be a part of like the Surflight family is to buy season tickets. Um, you know, I was mentioning earlier that tickets are hard to get, but if you buy a season ticket, um, the price point, you know, you get a deal, but then you also are guaranteed a seat for some of these busier shows. It's a great insider little information. And the the season, they just announced a new season coming up, Guys and Dolls. There's just really something for everyone. Young Frankenstein, um, a pretty woman, Ghost, um, some really great musicals that aren't produced a lot regionally are coming to surflight this next season. So the audiences, oh, and Holiday Inn is the the show that's going to be next Christmas. So if you like like any of those shows, grab a season ticket, um, grab a friend, and then just come have just a fun night of theater and support some local businesses here. There's so many cute cafes and shops uh in Beachhaven. So yeah, it's really a a fun, fun date night, fun just night out.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

I love that so much. You're a great actor and a great salesman. So everybody knows they need to get their tickets now. Thank you.

Dustin Ceithamer:

Yeah, I'm glad to be part of the Sri Plate family now. They can't get rid of me.

Gina Marie Rodriguez:

No, and nor would they want to, Dustin. That is crazy. Crazy. Crazy. Isn't he such a delight? I feel like I really did just meet an Elf. And I mean that as the highest of compliments. Dustin is just the most joyous person to speak with. And you can see him in Elf the Musical, running through December 21st at the Surflight Theater in Beachhaven. For tickets and more information, be sure to visit Surflight.org. And be quick about it. The show was almost entirely sold out at the time of recording. If you liked this episode, be sure to review, subscribe, and tell your friends. A transcript of this podcast, links relevant to the story, and more about the arts in New Jersey can be found at jerseyarts.com. The JerseyArts Podcast is presented by Art Pride New Jersey, advancing a state of creativity since 1986. The show was co-founded by and currently supported by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by me, Gina Marie Rodriguez. Executive producers are Jim Atkinson and Isaac Serna-Diez. And my thanks, of course, to Dustin Seithammer for speaking with me today. I'm Gina Marie Rodriguez for the Jersey Arts Podcast. Thanks for listening and happy holidays.

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Gina Marie Rodriguez

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Maddie Orton

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