MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — If you’re looking to goose your holiday spirit, the Ordway Theater in St. Paul is hosting “Elf,” a Broadway adaptation of the Will Ferrell movie.

WCCO-TV got a behind the scenes look and talked with the lead actors. They are both thrilled to be playing their roles and say it takes a big team to put the show on.

Matt Kopec plays Buddy, whose character embodies the spirit of Christmas.

“He’s got a lot of personality, he’s got a lot of heart, he’s got a lot of smiles to get out,” Kopec said. “That’s what I think is so innocent about Buddy — nothing is calculated, nothing is planned. It’s this genuine pure innocence.”

Along the way Buddy falls for a Macy’s clerk, played by Kate Hennies from South Dakota.

“It’s amazing.  It’s my first show I’ve done outside of college. I graduated a year ago,” she said. “It’s very fun, it’s a great cast and crew. I’m having a blast.”

The sets are loud and colorful.

“It’s like a pop-up book come to life, pieces are moving in and out effortlessly,” said Kopec. “There’s our crew, there’s the hair people that are designing the wigs, and the costumers. And there’s the orchestra, as well.  Our audience is really reacting to a great swinging band that we have.”

Kopec says playing Buddy is his role of a lifetime, and the perfect musical for the holidays.

“It’s a really fun role to share with audiences, and to share that joy and that holiday spirit on stage.”

Elf will be at the Ordway through Dec. 30. You can read our Curiocity blogger Sara Boyd’s review of the show here.