It played in London's West End in 2015, 2022, and 2023, and it has toured extensively in English-speaking countries, often during the Christmas holiday season.

Santa Claus, annoyed that his football game has been recorded over, opens a large pop-up book to read a story.

Walter does not believe him and has building security take Buddy to the nearby Macy's Department Store North Pole village.

Buddy helps them to complete the project, in exchange for Michael and Emily sending a letter to Santa asking for quality time with Walter ("I'll Believe in You").

In the morning, they receive the results of a DNA test that Emily arranged; it proves that Buddy is Walter's son ("In the Way" (reprise)).

They go to the Empire State Building, where Buddy also arrives, to find Walter sweating as he works to pitch a book idea to his boss.

This alarms Buddy, as he knows this means that the sleigh must have lost power from a lack of Christmas spirit in New York City.

Grabbing the reporter's microphone, he encourages all New Yorkers to spread the Christmas spirit to repower the sleigh and speed Santa on his way.

Other minor changes from the movie to the musical include Santa Claus using an iPhone instead of a list of names while delivering gifts, Buddy and Jovie's child being changed from a girl to a boy, the department store scenes taking place at Macy's instead of Gimbels, and Buddy being dropped off at the Hobbs house instead of being bailed out of jail by Walter.

In the musical, Walter's staff writers happen upon the only copy of an unpublished manuscript for a Christmas story by deceased famous author Chris Smith.

[16] Leading the original cast was Wicked and Jersey Boys star Sebastian Arcelus, who was joined by Broadway alums Amy Spanger and Beth Leavel.

[17] Following the success of the 2010 production, the musical returned to the Al Hirschfeld for a second holiday season beginning November 9, 2012, on a run through January 6, 2013.

[20] It starred Grey Henson as Buddy the Elf and Sean Astin as Santa Claus and Mr. Greenway,[21] with Kayla Davion as Jovie, Ashley Brown as Emily, Michael Hayden as Walter, Kai Edgar as Michael, Jennifer Sanchez as Deb and Kalen Allen as Store Manager and Hot Dog Vendor.

[22] The creative team was identical to the one for the West End productions in 2022 and 2023, with the addition of Peter Fitzgerald on the sound design.

It was co-produced by Michael Rose and U-Live, directed and choreographed by Morgan Young, and featured Ben Forster as Buddy and Kimberley Walsh as Jovie.

[34] Presented by NETworks, a mini-tour of the musical played several cities across North America in the 2012 holiday season.

[citation needed] A limited US/Canadian tour in 2017 featured Erik Gratton as Buddy, with direction by Sam Scalamoni and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

[35][36] It stopped at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City[37][38][39] with George Wendt playing Santa.

[citation needed] There was a late 2017 UK tour ending January 14, 2018 in The Lowry theatre in Salford, England, with Ben Forster as Buddy.

It featured the voices of Jim Parsons as Buddy, Mark Hamill as Walter, Ed Asner reprising his film role as Santa, Kate Micucci as Jovie, Rachael MacFarlane as Emily, Max Charles as Michael, Gilbert Gottfried as Mr. Greenway, and Jay Leno as the leader of the fake Santas.

"[53] The 2024 Broadway revival received generally favorable reviews,[54] with comments such as "Lands on the very, very nice list" (The New York Times), "Really elfin' good!"

(Time Out (magazine)), "A shot of pure joy that's fun for the whole family" (The New York Sun),[55] and "Miraculously, this revival exudes freshness" (The New Yorker).

"[58] Among reviews of North American tours was a 2013 The Washington Post piece that said the musical made the movie look "nuanced".

[44] A 2017 tour received a mostly positive review in the Chicago Sun Times, which said the "immense energy" of the show could be overwhelming,[59] and from the Deseret News.

[46] The New York Times critic described the 2017 Madison Square Garden Theatre production as "tinseled in synthetic sentiment, performed with a cheer that borders on mania, and instantly forgettable.

"[61] The original production of the musical broke box office records at the Hirschfeld Theatre three times,[62][63][64] grossing over a million dollars in one week.