“Elf The Musical,” on a Hilton Head stage, brings the Christmas Story, as told by Santa

There is a Santa Claus ... and we actually saw him and his talented, industrious elves as they were spending quality time during a live and on-stage performance of “Elf, the Musical” at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

The brilliant musical, based on the popular 2003 movie “Elf” starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, details Buddy’s arrival to and exit from the North Pole — a kind of roundtrip over his 30 years.

Our Arts Center variant, “Elf, The Musical,” with the most extraordinary singing and dancing, brings to life a wonderful Christmas story. But it’s slightly tweaked to update the setting, some well chosen words, the gracious characters of some members of the cast — and finally, to introduce you to some electronic devices, unknown in those earlier days. Wait until you see how Santa stores his “Naughty and Nice” gift list!

“Elf, The Musical” is the perfect event to add a special spin to your holidays, a captivating Christmas story, really, with the most delightful songs and dances. This production will enthrall audiences of all ages and sizes.

The story line ... straight from Santa

Buddy Hobbs, an orphan, accidentally crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts, and Santa unknowingly flies him back to the North Pole in his sleigh. At the beginning, when Buddy is smallish, he fits in with the other elves, and is actually raised to become a responsible elf.

Buddy, of course, is clueless about his early beginnings and has no idea about his earthly human connections. But when Buddy finds that he is actually human, and that he has a human family, Santa encourages him to head to New York City to find his father, Walter Hobbs, and his family.

Learning that his dad is on the naughty list and that his half brother doesn’t believe in Santa, Buddy determines to win over his real family — and help them to help all of New York City to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Santa’s stunning cast of characters

The cast is an ensemble of 20 astonishingly talented actors, singers and dancers. But look forward to the specific performances of the knockout Conor McShane, who leads the production and is the most gifted and energetic Buddy Hobbs.

Emily Grace Tucker is the most appealing Jovie, and Jesse Sharp brings us the transformation and the transformed Walter Hobbs. Brian Maurice Kinnard is the spot-on store manager, and particularly watch for JP Carr, a talented young actor and sophomore at Hilton Head Prep.

Then, of course there is Santa, John Ahlin, who so amazingly shares the Christmas story with us.

The music and the production

The music, composed by Matthew Sklar with lyrics by Chad Beguelin, simply soars and is impressively performed by the lead characters and the ensemble, along with the eight musicians in the orchestra. The thanks for their overwhelming success must go to music director Bryson Baumgartel. Especially look forward to “The Christmas Song,” “In the Way,” “Just Like Him,” “Never Fall in Love with an Elf,” and “Nobody Cares About Santa.”

The production is directed and choreographed brilliantly by New York City’s Mark Martino, who has seen to several productions at the Arts Center over time, including, “Newsies, “”White Christmas” and “Kiss Me Kate.” He was assisted handily by David Grinrod.

The talented and determined behind-the-scenes, back-of-the-curtain experts provided the most colorful, dramatic and memorable settings, and contributed impressively to the sound and beauty, and certainly the smooth flow of the show.

Do not miss this perfect Christmas gift to all of us. “Elf, the Musical” is simply sensational.

“Elf, the Musical” runs through Jan. 2 at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.

Tickets prices are $61 for adults and $56 for children ages 5 to 15. For tickets, visit tickets.artshhi.com or call (843) 842-2787.