“The heart of the message of this show is to have joy and love in your heart,” says Kiegan Otterson, director of The Reluctant Elf. Courtesy photo

An original Maui production, the musical “The Reluctant Elf” returns to the ProArts Playhouse on Friday.

Written by Ally Shore and Kathryn Holtkamp and directed by Kiegan Otterson, the show follows the adventures of an elf named Our buddy Steve.

“It’s our biannual show, and it takes place after the events of the movie ‘Elf,'” explained Otterson. “Our buddy Steve just had a baby with Josie, who’s like Jovi from the movie, and we’re following the events of their kid now, who has grown up a bit and is living at the North Pole and learning what it means to be an elf.”

With Elisha Cullins as Our Buddy Steve and Bailey Miller as Josie, Kailea Wittmer plays their daughter Bonnie, who is reluctant to be an elf.

“So it’s following her story, and buddy’s taking her through Christmas town, meeting all these wacky Christmas characters, showing her the Christmas spirit and what it means to be an elf,” Otterson said.

Other cast members in the production include Shea Derrick as Mrs. Claus, John Galvan as Delorus Krumpus, Lily Werner as Stan, Layla Hieda as Jo, and Isadora Drew as Miss Ingrid.

“It’s a pretty big show with a cast of 15,” said Otterson. “There are a few main characters, and we follow Our Buddy Steve and Bonnie as they go through Christmas town meeting different teachers. They teach all the different elves and reindeer what it’s like to be an elf, and she learns some fun things, with an exercise teacher, a dance teacher, and a music teacher.”

A joyous family-friendly celebration, the show features a lot of Christmas music.

“Everyone is going to be singing, and there’s dancing,” Otterson said. “We’ll get the audience involved. It’s definitely a fun family comedy vibe.”

With Christmas classics like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Otterson said they will have some Christmas songs that the auidence might not be as familiar with like “Little Saint Nick” from the Beach Boys.

At 4 p.m. Dec. 13, ProArts will include a shortened 30-minute sensory-friendly performance of “The Reluctant Elf” specially adapted for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families.

“It’s reduced basically anything that would make it difficult for someone to be able to sit and enjoy the performance,” explained Otterson.

Adaptations will include lower sound and light levels, and all strobe light effects removed. House lights will be kept at a low level throughout the performance, and audience members will be welcome to enter and leave the theater as needed. Earplugs will also be available, and audience members will be welcome to bring their own manipulatives, seat cushions, comfort objects, headphones and other support items to the show.

Unique to our island, “It’s only been produced on Maui, and I believe it’s only been produced at Pro Arts,” said Otterson. “It’s an original show that was created by Allie Shore and Katie Vincent. Allie Shore was just in ‘Steel Magnolia.’ Katie Vincent, when the show was first done, she was living out here and was part of the original cast. It’s kind of become our impromptu tradition.”

Otterson has loved directing the show. “I just directed ‘Spring Awakening’ before this, and I like to dive deep into meaty, intense, dramatic shows. This show has none of that. It’s really nice to have a lot of fun. The main heart of the message of this show is to just have joy and love in your heart and kind of be yourself. Being able to spread that message in any form is just a really great thing.”

“The Reluctant Elf” will be presented at the ProArts Playhouse at 7.30 p.m. Friday, at 4 and 7.30 p.m. Saturday, at 2 p.m. Sunday, 7.30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12, and 4 and 7.30 p.m. Dec. 13, and at 2 p.m. Dec. 14.

Tickets range from $26-$47 with teens 13 to 17 years old $5 off. Children 12 and under are free, made possible by the Wave of Harmony Foundation’s Plus One Ticket Program. Tickets for the sensory-friendly performance are $5 per adult, and free for children.