‘Elf: The Broadway Musical’ casts George Wendt as Santa at Madison Square Garden
George Wendt, who earned six Emmy nominations playing barfly Norm Peterson on “Cheers,” will reprise his role as Santa Claus in “Elf: The Musical” at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
MSG Productions on Tuesday announced his casting for the touring production of the 2010 Broadway musical “Elf,” scheduled to begin Nov. 6 in York, Pennsylvania, with Wendt in the role solely in Boston from Nov. 28 to Dec. 10 and at the Garden from Dec. 13 to 29. Wendt, who turns 69 on Oct. 17, originated the stage role, played by Ed Asner in the 2003 movie from which the musical was adapted. Additional casting has yet to be announced.
The actor, whose long list of TV credits ranges from “Taxi” and “M*A*S*H” in the 1980s to “Childrens Hospital” last year, made his Broadway debut in 1998 in the comedy-drama “Art.” He was a replacement Edna Turnblad in the musical “Hairspray” in 2007 and 2008, and originated the role of bar-owner Joe Bell in 2013’s short-lived “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” starring Emilia Clarke. Wendt and his “Cheers” co-star Shelley Long played Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the 2012 TV-movie “Merry In-Laws.”