Lisa Denton and Barry CourterBARRY: Lisa, are you a big fan of the movie "Elf" with Will Ferrell?
LISA: As a matter of fact, I am. I'm a big fan of Christmas programming in general, especially the Rankin/Bass TV specials. But as big-screen Christmas movies go, "Elf" has a certain sweetness.
BARRY: Well, they've made it into a Broadway musical, and the cast and crew will be here all week getting ready to launch it from Memorial Auditorium. "Elf: The Musical" is based on the movie, but the choreographer, Connor Gallagher, told me it has been reworked a little.
For one thing, only Will Ferrell can do Will Ferrell, so they didn't try, but Gallagher also said it is one of the most complicated shows he's ever choreographed. The scene in the toy store where Buddy rallies the elves to get ready for Santa is pretty involved, with packages and people flying through the air. I've seen pictures, and it looks pretty impressive.
It will be presented Thursday and Friday at the auditorium.
LISA: The movie cast would be hard to match anyway: Bob Newhart, James Caan, Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel. But these national tours are top-notch, so I would expect no less magic from the stage version.
It seems strange to be talking about Christmas events already, since I've barely got my Halloween makeup scrubbed off, but 'tis the season. Hamilton Place will have its Santa arrival parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, and some of the weekend's festivals have holiday themes, like the Gingerbread Shoppe at Christ United Methodist Church.
BARRY: What was the event we came up with last year? Seems like it involved figuring out a corn maze so you could have your picture made sitting on a pilgrim's lap inside Santa's Workshop, which was located in the center of the maze.
LISA: I don't know where you've been, but I've had that same experience at the mall this time of year.
BARRY: Anyway, Disney On Ice returns with a production of "Treasure Trove." It will feature just about all of your favorite characters, including Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Peter Pan, Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Snow White.
LISA: Some of the best shows I've seen in town have been Disney On Ice productions. It's always interesting to see how they translate the stories to ice, but even an underwater adventure like "The Little Mermaid" works.
BARRY: Same here. Those shows are good fun, especially with a child, though honestly I would look kind of creepy going without a child.
LISA: Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea. Too bad there's no Rent-A-Kid service for such situations.
Oh, and don't forget that the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is hosting two Clyde Stubblefield events this weekend. He's the Chattanooga native best known as the drummer for James Brown. His rhythm pattern on the song "Funky Drummer" earned Stubblefield his nickname and made him one of the most sampled artists in hip-hop and pop music. He'll be at the Bessie on Friday for a showing of a documentary about music sampling, "Copyright Criminals." Then on Saturday he'll present a pair of drumsticks for the museum's permanent collection.
BARRY: He is a true legendary figure, and I don't think many people realize he is from here. It's great that he is being recognized.
After a busy schedule last week, Track 29 cools off a bit this week, but they do have jam band OAR there on Thursday and classic-rock guitarist Robin Trower there on Saturday.
Get event updates every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.