FOLEY — You have just one night to catch Buddy Elf on the stage.

The green and yellow clad main character of "Elf, Jr." is delighting more than 1,200 elementary school students throughout the day Friday, Dec. 9. Students at Foley High School's theater department are producing the show specifically to entertain the younger set for the holiday season.

Out front as the child-like elf the world came to love in the 2003 film is Izak Reynolds. It is the sophomore's first turn in a lead role.

"I'm very excited for him, he's having a really great time," said Logan Lane, director of the school's theater department.

Most of the leads in the show are new to acting, in fact. Rather than host an all-call audition, Lane limited the cast to the 50 students enrolled in his theater classes for the fall semester.

The plan presented logistical complications, but Lane said it also gave more students the chance to fill lead roles who might not otherwise audition. Plus, he knew the younger audiences would love the production.

"People love the movie and the music. It just really is a fun good show," he said.
Catch "Elf, Jr." tonight, Friday, Dec. 9 at Foley Civic Center at 6 p.m. Admission is free.