[1] The special is narrated by Connick and stars the voices of Rob Paulsen, Carol Kane, Lewis Black, Kevin Michael Richardson and Mickey Rooney.

In recognition of their good deeds, Santa chooses Eubie, Gilda, and Derek to be his sleigh crew, and Bluesville is renamed Joyville.

The show premiered at Coterie Theatre at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri on November 13, 2007 to generally positive reviews.

[2][3] It received a fully produced workshop at the Adventure Theatre, at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland, from November 12–28, 2010, with a cast that features Michael Rupert.

[4] In 2012 The Happy Elf was reworked by Connick and on December 1 premiered in a version prepared for publication in Bethlehem, PA at the Charles Brown Ice House under the direction of Michael Melcher, Executive Director.