Jersey Arts Podcast · ArtPride New Jersey

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

·22 min·1 clip

Dustin Seifhammer says his Star Wars character saved Obi-Wan Kenobi and cradled Ewan McGregor in his arms.

1. Jersey Arts Podcast focuses on Dustin Seifhammer and Surflight Theater’s production of Elf the Musical in Beach Haven. 2. Host Gina Marie Rodriguez interviews Dustin Seifhammer, who plays Buddy, and names Paula Hammond-Sloan as the director-choreographer, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beglin as the composers, and Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan as the writers. 3. The episode asks why Elf the Musical works as a holiday stage show and why Seifhammer’s path from Star Wars and soap operas matters to that question. 4. Seifhammer says Star Wars felt too big to dream about, comparing the audition process to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s “golden ticket.” 5. He says his Star Wars character saved Obi-Wan Kenobi from “precarious situations” and that he got to cradle Ewan McGregor in his arms. 6. He contrasts Star Wars’ “meticulous” multi-angle filming with the faster pace of soap operas, where crews may move on after one angle. 7. Seifhammer says McGregor knew everyone’s name on set, treated people with respect, and was serious when cameras rolled. 8. He traces his performance background to church choir, a progressive church drama team, school choir, and community theater. 9. He says fifth or sixth grade community theater was where he realized you could sing, dance, and act at the same time. 10. He says he began film work in his early 20s through commercials and extra work before returning to live theater after ten years of film and television. 11. He describes live theater as a place where he has to sing, do complex choreography, and memorize all of the lines at once. 12. He says the stage version of Elf is his first real exposure to the musical, even though he has long loved the movie. 13. He cites the movie’s iconic lines, including “Santa, I know him,” “Hi, Mr. Norwall,” and “to thine own elf, be true.” 14. He calls the adaptation by Thomas Meehan “smart, witty, fast pace” and says it offers jokes for kids, adults, and grandmas. 15. He names the opening of Act Two, with the Santa Clauses at Macy’s, as one of his favorite numbers because it has a “no respect for Santa Claus” feel. 16. He explains that he has also written and artistically produced at least six full-length musicals, starting with songs submitted to the artistic director and later moving to full shows with mentorship from Wayne R. Scott. 17. Rodriguez and Seifhammer talk about the show’s tone as lighthearted, energetic, and full of audience laughter, with a stage pace that keeps moving. 18. The interview stays conversational and personal, with Rodriguez steering from Star Wars to theater craft, then to tickets, season passes, and Surflight’s 70-year local presence. 19. People who like holiday musicals, community theater, and behind-the-scenes acting stories would like this episode. 20. People looking for hard news, criticism, or a spoiler-free plot breakdown may skip it.

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