Sean Astin Will Make Broadway Debut in “Elf The Musical” — and He's Playing Santa!

Previews for the production begin Nov. 9 at the Marquis Theatre in New York City, ahead of an opening on Nov. 17

Elf The Musical has found its Jolly Old St. Nick!

Sean Astin has been tapped to play Santa in the upcoming revival of the 2010 musical, which lovingly adapts the 2003 Will Ferrell Christmas comedy for the stage.

The Oscar-nominated actor — known for roles in The Goonies, Rudy, Lord of the Rings, 50 First Dates and Stranger Things — will make his Broadway debut in the production, a milestone that comes after four decades in the business. He steps into the role originated by Ed Asner onscreen, and by George Wendt in the original Broadway production.

PEOPLE first announced that the Elf The Musical was returning to the Great White Way this holiday season. It's the first time the show will be playing in New York City in over a decade.

Previews begin Nov. 9 at the Marquis Theatre in New York City ahead of an opening on Nov. 17. The limited engagement is currently scheduled through Jan. 4.

Related: George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Robert Downey Jr. and All the Stars Heading to Broadway

Related: The Cast of Elf: Where Are They Now?

Tony Award nominee Grey Henson (Mean Girls, Schuked) will lead the production. “I cannot wait to play Buddy the Elf eight times a week in this hilarious and joyful musical during the most magical time of the year on Broadway,” Henson said in a statement last month.

"Elf has always been required yearly viewing for me, and I am so honored and excited to be fulfilling a lifelong dream of wearing tights on Broadway."

Like in the film, Elf The Musical tells the heartwarming tale of Buddy, an orphan who was raised by elves in the North Pole after mistakenly crawling into Santa’s sack of toys one Christmas Eve. Once he discovers he's human, he embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father. In turn, Buddy helps the Big Apple rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.

Related: This $199 Life-Size Buddy the Elf Christmas Decoration Is Going Viral and the Reviews Are Hilarious

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Tony winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone, Boop! The Musical) penned the book for the musical, with Tony nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Prom, The Wedding Singer) writing the score.

The revival — which was first staged at the Dominion Theatre in London's West End in 2022, and returned there the following year — will be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley (The Boy from Oz) with choreography by Olivier and Drama Desk nominee Liam Steel (Company).

Additional cast members will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for Elf The Musical are now on sale.

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