Christmas On Thursday With Buddy. The Castros New Music Video. Road Repairs.
Holiday Cheer Takes Center Stage: Young Performers Bring Elf Jr. to Life at Alum Creek Amphitheater
It’s the heat of summer, but the spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Westerville as the curtain rises on Elf Jr. at Alum Creek Amphitheater. Based on the beloved holiday film, this youth production follows the story of Buddy the Elf—played by Connor Bird—as he leaves the North Pole and heads to New York City in search of his father, his identity, and a place to belong.
In rehearsal this week, the cast delivered big laughs, fast dialogue, and a clear sense of heart. Dressed in a green coat, yellow tights, and signature cone hat, Bird’s Buddy owned the stage, even with an iPad in hand and candied spaghetti still stuck to his face. Surrounded by a whole ensemble of elves, office workers, and skeptical New Yorkers, the scene bounces between comedy and charm as Buddy tries to explain his story to a less-than-impressed crowd.
The production features a large cast of students playing a variety of roles, ranging from street performers to employees of Macy’s. Santa is played by Ben Battles, with supporting roles including Jude Cargill as Walter Hobbs, Emma Shonkwiler as Jovie, and Emi Nicodemus and Eden Ireland as Emily and Michael Hobbs.
Ava Khojasteh, Piper Preston, Kamerra Griffis, and Timmy Morrison help fill out the busy New York backdrop alongside an ensemble that brings dance and music to nearly every scene. Younger performers like Zia Weitz and Rory Carman play elves and shoppers, while the office crew—featuring Asher Walk, Henry Eads, and Blaine Bring—channels the more skeptical adult world that Buddy tries to charm.
From the opening scene at the North Pole with Elf #1 (Ivan Weitz) and Charlie (Paige Shonkwiler) to the climactic Christmas Eve encounter with Mr. Greenway (Ben Hughes), the production moves with energy and polish. Despite the summer heat, the young cast delivers winter spirit with full commitment—and more than a bit of glitter.
Performances of Elf Jr. begin Thursday night. Tickets are $8 with open seating at the Alum Creek Amphitheater. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and their best singing voice, just in case Buddy needs help raising the Christmas spirit to save the day.
Westerville Duo The Castros Premiere New Music Video “Forgive Me”
Westerville-based indie-folk duo The Castros premiered the official video for their song Forgive Me today, coinciding with vocalist Sara Castro’s birthday.
Filmed in Chicago’s Uptown, Chinatown, and Bucktown neighborhoods, the video was co-directed by John Betten and Christian Welch of Innocent Robot. Marco and Sara Castro appear in the film alongside Welch, capturing the emotional tone of a song the band often dedicates “to the people on the receiving end of hurt.”
“This is a song that hits home for us,” the duo shared on social media. “Especially in a time when people who should represent love and compassion are rewarded for doing the opposite.”
The Castros will also host a live-streamed performance Thursday night from the Granville Center for the Arts. The set includes a screening of the new video and a Q&A session.
The remastered version of Forgive Me was produced by Brian Skeel, using the band’s original mix to bring fresh depth to a fan favorite.
Roadwork Underway on Liberty Lane and Heatherdown Road
Westerville city crews are rebuilding Liberty Lane and resurfacing Heatherdown Road this week as part of scheduled summer street improvements.
Liberty Lane is undergoing a complete reconstruction. Workers have removed the old roadway down to the base and are rebuilding it from scratch. The project includes new concrete curbs and gutters.
On nearby Heatherdown Road, the top layer of pavement is being milled off before fresh asphalt is laid. Crews also installed new curbs and gutters along that route.
One image shows a drone view of milling work on Heatherdown near the Aloft Hotel. The second captures a worker pausing under a shade tree as heavy equipment removes old concrete from Liberty Lane.
Both roads are partially open for residents and for access to businesses. Heatherdown, weather permitting, is expected to be finished by the end of the week.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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