Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: December 14, 2025
By: Laura Deni
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ELF ON A SHELF IS A MAJOR SUCCESS AND EXPANDING

Photo: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

For twenty years those Elf on a Shelf -hear all, see all, blab all - communicators have been spying and informing Santa who has been naughty and who is nice.

Founders and twin sisters Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts have now reimagined the brand’s mission and are leaning into partnerships, customization, and new products and experiences. The modest startup is now a worldwide sensation.

From its beginnings selling in small Southern holiday markets, The Elf of the Shelf picture book and companion toy is now a fixture at major retailers from Target to Nordstrom, with over 30 million Scout Elves, elf pets, and elf mates adopted worldwide. e Elf on the Shelf’s partnerships with big brands like Hershey and Sandal’s Beaches Resorts reflect a major driver of that growth.

Two decades ago, the sisters pitched a picture book inspired by their family’s Christmastime elf tradition—and every major book publisher passed. So, along with their mother, Carol Aebersold, they self-published "The Elf on the Shelf," packaging it with a red-suited elf doll they made that flies to the North Pole every night to tell Santa who’s been naughty or nice. They started selling at small holiday fairs.

The sisters pooled personal savings, took on debt, and invested everything to produce their first 5,000 dolls.

In the years that followed, The Elf on the Shelf became a beloved holiday tradition in households worldwide. Under its parent organization, The Lumistella Company, the business has expanded its product line far beyond its original book and doll set to a wide array of holiday-themed products: elf clothes and accessories; pets for your elf; and merchandise like blankets, toys, stuffed animals, games, and Netflix movies. Families across 29 countries have adopted over 30 million Scout Elves, elf pets, and elf mates sold by major retailers like Target, as the company has leaned in to partnerships with major brands.

The elf tradition started in Bell and Pitts’ mother’s childhood home, when a small pixie elf would appear in the Christmas tree every December. The tradition continued into Bell and Pitts’ own childhood.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Bell had her first child and was working part-time for her father’s engineering and fabrication firm, doing everything from bookkeeping to processing orders, to supplement her football coach and special education teacher husband’s income. That’s when, with Aebersold, she wrote the children’s book manuscript based on the family’s tradition. One agent out of dozens responded with an offer of representation but couldn’t sell the book.

“Publishers weren’t interested at all in this idea of an elf that talked to Santa, and a storybook written by two people that no one in the industry knew,” Pitts said.

So Bell found a watercolor artist in their hometown of Marietta, Georgia, to work with, and she and Pitts and Aebersold began to brainstorm ideas for the accompanying doll. Pitts sold her house and put some of the profits toward launching the business. Bell took on credit card debt, and their parents cashed in their 401(k).

“Then, together, we were able to afford our first 5,000 pieces,” Pitts said. “It was the minimum order you could make, and that’s how we got started. I definitely had a vision that this could be a successful company.”

A big break came two years later in 2007 when Actor Jennifer Garner was photographed walking down a street carrying The Elf on the Shelf. “No one knows how she got it,” said Pitts. “We still don’t know to this day.” The photo changed the trajectory of the company. Would-be customers flooded the business with calls.

Soon after, a Texas company selling The Elf on the Shelf products was featured on the local news for its booming sales. The Today Show picked up the segment, propelling The Elf on the Shelf firmly into the national spotlight. Social media acted as an accelerator.

Over the years, the sisters have found success by leaning in to their individual strengths. Pitts focuses more on business operations, while Bell is the company’s creative lead. Pursuing partnerships with brands like Netflix has been a major driver of growth, too. The brand has a studio deal with Netflix for preschool programming, live-action projects, and a major motion picture. The streaming service has also licensed four additional animated specials. Partnerships are a strategy The Elf on the Shelf is ramping up as it marks its 20th anniversary.

Most recently in conjunction with the company’s 20th year, The Elf on the Shelf released a new book, “The Rise of Nicholas the Noble.” Published in partnership with HarperCollins and written by Bell, the novel for kids tells Santa Claus’ origin story. The brand also partnered with Outright Games to launch of The Elf on the Shelf: Christmas Heroes console video game, marking its move into the gaming industry.

The Elf on the Shelf’s partnerships aren’t limited to products—they’re about creating memorable experiences, too, Pitts said. At Sandals’ Beaches Resorts, families can access an in-room VIE (Very Important Elf) butler service, and starting this year, stay in a Christmas in the Caribbean suite.

Finish Elf Museum

Pitts said that, over the years, success has taken “thoughtful moves, a lot of guts, a lot of hard work, and some amazing hires along the way.” To fellow entrepreneurs, she advised, “you have to trust your gut, you have to focus, because you can’t be everything to everyone, and you have to hire for where you’re going, not for where you are.”

Elf Museums have also sprung up.

Not related to The American Elf of a Shelf are number Elf museums around the world. The Finnish Elf Museum is a unique Finnish tourist attraction is where you can experience and see Santa Claus and elves from the time of your grandma and grandpa, Christmas and Easter decorations as well as dolls, toys and teddybears. You can watch them move. The facility activates various mechanical elves and dolls to the delight of our visitors. In the café inside the grain barn you can admire paper and plastic dolls. Or walk on the cobblestone street and get acquainted with old-fashioned clothes. Peek inside the engine barn and see how grandpa harvested grain. We recount the birth of the area and demonstrate how dolls and teddybears are made. We will show you how laundry was washed and mangled, coffee grained, milk separated, how music was listened to, what machines were used on the fields.

Located in an old wedge stone cowshed - Here you can see Santa and elves from grandma’s and grandpa’s time, mechanical elves, old Christmas decorations from us and abroad. The oldest ornaments in the museum date back to the early 19th century.
The 18th century building is beautifully decorated with furniture, dolls and toys from the same period. In the upstairs premises are a doll-maker’s chamber, a dressmaker’s shop and a weaving mill. A laundry and a mangle room, a grain barn café with a paper and plastic doll exhibition. A shop, where you can buy dolls, elves and souvenirs. In the upstairs of the shop a doll chamber and an exhibition of modern dolls. In the stable an exhibition of old Easter decorations and mechanical Santa Clauses. In the attic of the stable an elves’ workshop. In the woodshed are displayed old hand tools. The old smithy has been turned into a grill hut, where pancake and barbeque festivals can be arranged. In the garden are several seats and a beautiful small gazebo.

The Museum is located in in Nykarleby, Finland.

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SPREADING THE WORD

THE NEW YORK POPS returns to Carnegie Hall for their annual Christmas Concerts - A Place Called Home - on December 19 and 20th.

Steven Reineke and the orchestra will be joined by Tony Award nominee Megan Hilty and Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA!

A true seasonal tradition, this joyous evening will enchant audiences with holiday classics, spirited carols, and heartwarming performances.

ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE How Shakespeare Invented The Villain.

BroadStage presents the West Coast Premiere of All the Devils Are Here, created and performed by Tony Award Nominee and Grammy Award Winner Patrick Page! A 90-minute tour de force exploring the twisted motivation and hidden humanity in Shakespeare’s greatest villains.

January 15-25 at BroadStage in Santa Monica, CA.

OTHELLO the current theatre Royal Haymarket filmed lived production will be released to movie theatres in 2026. Directed by Tom Morris, the play will be screened across the U.K., U.S., Australia and selected international territories beginning March 4, 2026. The stage run continues in London's West End through January 17, 2026.

Starring David Harewood, Toby Jones, Caitlin FitzGerald, Vinette Robinson, and Luke Treadaway.

In addition to the principal talent, the production features David Ahmad as Gratiano, Gethin Alderman as Nicos, Ewan Black as Montano, Tom Byrne as Roderigo, Jonathan Cobb as Telemachos, Peter Guinness as Brabantio, Felix Hayes as Duke of Venice, Jasmin Hinds as Julio/Julia, Wela Mbusi as Memet and Marcus, Jude Owusu as Lodovico, Tom Peters as Vincenzio, and Rose Riley as Bianca.

The creative team includes designer Ti Green, composer PJ Harvey, sound designer and additional music composer Jon Nicholls, lighting designer Richard Howell, projection designer Nina Dunn, casting director Anna Cooper, movement and intimacy director Yarit Dor, fight director Kate Waters, makeup designer Dominic Skinner, and hair and wig designer Suzanne Scotcher.

The associate director is Katie Henry, and the assistant director is Bethan Mary-James. Damian Partington is the production manager, with Sabia Smith serving as costume supervisor, Mariama Bojang serving as assistant costume designer, Rob Casey and Genna Hill serving as technical directors for Ammomite Studios, Katie Balmforth and Zoe Wilson serving as props supervisors, Zachary Woodman serving as associate sound designer, Kellon Kutz serving as associate wigs and hair, Carol Fairlamb serving as voice coach, Aundrea Fudge serving as dialect coach, Dom Coyote serving as singing coach, and Samantha Adams serving as dramatherapist.

HELEN GEORGE who gained international fame thanks to her star slot in Call the Midwife has been cast as Tracy Lord in High Society.

Felicity Kendal will also lead the 28-strong cast in Porter's musical which will have a major Barbican revival, opening May 19 for a limited 8 week run.

SURVIVING ECONOMIC ABUSE

Financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases.

Queen Camilla listening to those who have survived economic abuse.

Last week Queen Camilla hosted a reception at Clarence House for Surviving Economic Abuse, the UK's only charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it.

During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Her Majesty met with survivors, supporters and staff to hear about their vital work supporting women affected by economic abuse.

Economic abuse involves controlling someone's ability to acquire, use and maintain economic resources, and can have a devastating impact on victims' independence and safety. The charity's work is spearheaded by Experts by Experience – a group of women with lived experience who are a powerful force for change.

Domestic abuse is defined in the Domestic Abuse Act. It often occurs in the context of intimate partner violence, and involves the control of a partner or ex-partner’s money and finances, as well as the things that money can buy.

1 in 7 women in the UK has experienced economic abuse by a current or former partner.

Economic abuse can include exerting control over income, spending, bank accounts, bills and borrowing. It can also include controlling access to and use of things like transport and technology, which allow us to work and stay connected, as well as property and daily essentials like food and clothing. It can include destroying items and refusing to contribute to household costs.

This type of abuse is a form of coercive and controlling behavior. It can continue long after a leaving and can have lifelong effects.

“Controlling or coercive behavior is a purposeful pattern of behavior that takes place over time in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another” – UK Home Office Economic abuse rarely happens in isolation and usually occurs alongside other forms of abuse, including physical, sexual and psychological abuse. 95% of cases of domestic abuse involve economic abuse.

This type of abuse is designed to create economic instability and/or make one partner economically dependent, which limits their freedom. Without access to money and the things that money can buy, it is difficult to leave an abuser and access safety. Someone experiencing this type of abuse can become trapped in a relationship with the abuser, unable to resist the abuser’s control and at risk of further harm. In this way, economic safety underpins physical safety.

The impact of economic abuse makes rebuilding lives challenging. Many women leave with nothing?—?having no money even for essentials?—?and?have to?start again from scratch. Many victim-survivors leave with large amounts of debt and poor credit ratings, affecting their long-term economic stability, and many are unable to maintain savings that provide economic security.

An abuser might do any of the following:

Sabotage?your income and access to money:?

prevent you from being in education or employment
limit your working hours
take?your pay?
refuse to let you claim benefits?
take children’s savings or birthday money?
refuse to let you access a bank account
Restrict how you use money and the things that you own:

control when and how money is spent?
dictate what you can buy??
make you ask for money or provide an allowance?
check your receipts?
make you keep a spending diary?
make you justify every purchase made?
control the use of property, such as a mobile phone or car??
insist all economic assets (eg savings, house) are in their name?
? keep?financial information secret?

Exploit your economic situation:?
steal your money or property?
cause damage to your property?
refuse to contribute to household costs??
spend money needed?for?household items and bills?
misuse money in joint bank accounts?
insist all bills, credit cards and loans are in your name and make you pay?them?
build up debt in your name, sometimes without your knowledge

?
Financial abuse vs. economic abuse Economic abuse and financial abuse involve similar behaviors, but it can be helpful to think of financial abuse as a subcategory of economic abuse. Economic abuse encompasses the many ways that an abuser may control someone’s economic situation, including employment and housing, for example.

Financial abuse means controlling finances, stealing money, or coercing someone into debt. Economic abuse means financial abuse plus controlling other resources, such as housing, food, transport and employment.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DICK VAN DYKE celebrated his 100th birthday on December 13, 2025.

The actor, best known for his roles in "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," was also the subject of a new documentary, "Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration," which opened in theaters over his birthday weekend on December 13 and 14.

Reportedly, Van Dyke’s secret to staying remarkably youthful at 100 is thanks to his wife, Arlene Silver, who keeps him active every day — singing, dancing and constantly being up and moving. The beloved actor also credits his remarkable longevity to his positive outlook and never getting angry.



KING CHARLES who delivered the best Christmas season news by announcing that his successful process means a cutback in his is cancer treatments this year. Fabulous news.

He included the announcement during his address during Stand Up To Cancer 2025 broadcast, sharing positive news about his ongoing battle with the disease.

Now his wife and her friends can concentrate on planning his 80th birthday party and their 25th wedding anniversary celebration. Much happiness and may 2026 be the best year ever for both of them.



THE HONEY TRAP the New York Premiere of The Honey Trap, by Leo McGann.

Direted by Matt Torney.

Belfast, 1979. At the height of the Troubles, two off-duty British soldiers think they’ve hit it off with two local girls at a unionist pub on the city’s outskirts. But what begins as a night of flirtation and playful sparring soon turns dark. Decades later, as one of the soldiers recounts the events for an American oral history project, long-buried memories resurface, drawing him back to Belfast in search of answers and revenge.

The cast of The Honey Trap includes Rebecca Ballinger, joined by returning cast members Tony & Olivier Award nominee Michael Hayden, Doireann Mac Mahon, Daniel Marconi, Samantha Mathis, Harrison Tipping, and Annabelle Zasowski.

The Honey Trap features set design by Charlie Corcoran, lighting design by Michael Gottlieb, costume design by Sarita Fellows, sound design by James Garver and properties by Nicole Rozanski. April Ann Kline will serve as Production Stage Manager, with Pamela Brusoski as Assistant Stage Manager. Casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA.

The Honey Trap returns to Irish Rep for an encore engagement beginning January 10, 2026, through February 15, 2026, in Irish Rep’s Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage New York City.

TARTUFFE by Moliére, featuring a a new script by A Doll's House, Part 2 playwright Lucas Hnath.

Directed by Sarah Benson.

Choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.

Tartuffe is in our house. We’ve got to get him out.

Tony Award nominee Lucas Hnath and Obie Award winner Sarah Benson conspire to bring us a razor-sharp reinvention of Molière’s iconoclastic comedy in a mad-dash production full of ferocious wit, outrageous design, and downright buffoonery. Choreography is by three-time Princess Grace Award winner Raja Feather Kelly.

The cast of Tartuffe includes Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick as Tartuffe, Emmy Award winner David Cross as Orgon, Obie Award winner Emily Davis as Mariane, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Bianca Del Rio as Mme Pernelle, Tony Award nominee Amber Gray as Elmire, Obie Award winner Ryan J. Haddad as Damis, Tony Award winner Francis Jue as Cleante, Tony Award winner Lisa Kron as Dorine, and Emmy Award nominee Ikechukwu Ufomadu as Valére.

Tartuffe features scenic design by the Tony Award-nominated design collective dots, costume design by Tony Award nominee Enver Chakartash, lighting design by Obie Award winner Stacey Derosier, sound design by Henry Hewes Award nominee Peter Mills Weiss, hair and wig design by Robert Pickens, and makeup design by Katie Gell. Addison Hereen) is the Properties Supervisor, with original music by Heather Christian (Oratorio for Living Things). UnkleDave’s Fight-House (Saturday Church) serves as Fight Director, with Crista Marie Jackson (Teeth) as Intimacy Director and Gigi Buffington (Good Night and Good Luck) as Voice and Speech Director. Casting is by Taylor Williams (John Proctor is the Villain). Kasson Marroquin (Wet Brain) serves as Production Stage Manager.

Performances began at New York Theatre Workshop on November 28, 2025. ahead of a December 16 opening night. The already extended limited run, will continue through January 24, 2026.

BUG written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts.

Directed by David Cromer.

Bug stars three-time Emmy Award nominee and Tony Award nominee Carrie Coon as Agnes White, Namir Smallwood as Peter Evans, Randall Arney as Dr. Sweet, Jennifer Engstrom as R.C., and Steve Key as Jerry Goss.

From Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts and Tony Award-winning director David Cromer comes the Broadway premiere of Steppenwolf’s acclaimed staging of a cult classic about an unexpected and intense romance between a lonely waitress (Carrie Coon) and a mysterious drifter (Namir Smallwood). What begins as a simple connection between two broken people in a seedy Oklahoma motel room twists into something far more dangerous. When reality slips out of grasp, paranoia, delusion, and conspiracy take over in this sexy psychological thriller.

The creative team for Bug is Takeshi Kata (Scenic Design), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Josh Schmidt (Sound Design), J. Jared Janas (Hair & Makeup Design), Gigi Buffington (Dialect Coach), Marcu Watson (Intimacy Coordinator & Fight Director), JC Clements (Casting) Caparelliotis Casting (Additional Casting) and Christine D. Freeburg (Production Stage Manager).

Bug is produced in association with Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Bug begins performances on December 16, 2025, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City. Opening night is January 8, 2025.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

In the pages of How To Earn A Living As A Freelance Writer (the first to be lied to and the last to be paid) you'll find sex, celebrities, violence, threats, unethical editors, scummy managers and lawyers, treacherous press agents, sex discrimination; as well as a how-to for earning money by writing down words.

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Laura Deni