Peoria Times
November 18, 2021
FEATURES
15
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ABT reprises ‘Elf the Musical’ this holiday season BY LAURA LATZKO
Peoria Times Contributing Writer
Tyler Pirrung had a lucky break in 2019. After the previou actor playing Buddy, the human elf, stepped down from the Arizona Broadway Theatre production of “Elf,” Pirrung stepped right in. Now two years later, he is reprising the role during the holiday season. ABT’s 2021 production will feature a handful of returning thespians, including Madison Cichon as Buddy’s love interest Jovie. This time around, “Elf” will be directed by ABT’s associate artistic director Kurtis Overby. The musical version — developed by Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin — has a premise that’s similar to the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell. An orphan raised by Santa and elves goes
Jovie (Madison Cichon) and Buddy (Tyler Pirrung) meet in the Arizona Broadway Theatre production of “Elf the Musical.” (Photos by Scott Samplin/Arizona
Broadway Theatre)
features key moments from the film, many of which are turned to splashy musical theater numbers. Hailing from New York, Pirrung heads a cast that includes local and out-ofstate actors. Since 2016, Pirrung has appeared in ABT productions including “Show Boat,” “Titanic,” “Funny Buddy (Tyler Pirrung) and his brother Michael Girl,” “A Christmas Car(Tristan Klaphake) share breakfast in the Arizona ol,” “Guys and Dolls” and Broadway Theatre production of “Elf the Musical.” “Oliver!” Before he landed the role to New York to find his father. There, of Buddy, Pirrung longed to play him. “Elf has been a dream role of mine he meets not only his father Walter Hobbs, his brother Michael and Wal- since college, when I first heard music ter’s wife Emily but a woman named from the show,” Pirrung said. “It’s just Jovie, who captures his heart. Papa such fun music to sing and such a fun Elf in the stage version is replaced by role to perform.” Santa in the narrator/fatherly role. SEE ELF PAGE 16 Pirrung said the musical version
The Mazda CX-30 Turbo SUV has its positives, negatives BY C.A. HAIRE
Peoria Times Contributing Writer
One of the advantages of Mazda vehicles is their reasonable base price, with this CX-30 starting at only $22,000. However, our example here is loaded up with all the goodies, so it reaches a tidy $34,000. This includes $495 for the dark metallic paint job. But charging extra for floor mats seems rather greedy. The base engine is a 2.5-liter putting out 186 horsepower rated at 25/33 mpg. This has the optional upgraded turbo, rated at 227 hp using regular fuel, or 250 with premium blend, hooked to an all-wheel drive system. Gas mileage is claimed to be 22/30.
and there is too much glare reflecting into the gauge cluster. The CX-30 is pleasant to drive on the street. The ride quality is firm but comfortable. We saw a brisk 0-60 mph time of less than 6 seconds. With higher ground clearance than a typical car, and all-wheel traction, the ability to traverse on back dirt trails is very good. The Mazda CX-30 Turbo SUV is pleasant to drive on the street. (Photos by C.A. Haire) Most vehicles in the Mazda line are made in Japan, which This motor provides brisk acceler- lent clarity. The climate controls are has always been a good selling point. ation. Real-world fuel economy in a simple to use. There are paddle shift- Some potential buyers are not happy ers on the steering wheel for manual to hear the CX-30 models are now week of driving was 22/28. made in Mexico. As other brands have The cabin is nothing fancy but has gear selection. On the negative side, the sun visors set up factories there, this situation is good features. The glove box is roomy, and the info screen is large with excel- poorly block sun from side windows, likely to be more common.
