GAOS Brings Elf the Musical to the Nyon Stage This Christmas

Big Laughs and Big Hearts Plus Your Chance to Win Tickets!

Nothing marks the start of the festive season quite like a GAOS Christmas show and this year, the theatre community is bringing one of the most beloved holiday stories to life. Elf the Musical, based on the hit film starring Will Ferrell, will take to the stage this December, promising joy, sparkle, and a generous dose of Christmas cheer.

At the centre of the story is Buddy the Elf, enthusiastic, heartfelt, and unmissably iconic. We caught up with Sebastian Miazza, the actor stepping into Buddy’s tights and boundless optimism, about the magic behind the production and what audiences can expect.

Stepping Into Buddy’s Shoes

When Sebastian learned he’d been cast as Buddy, his reaction was instant and unforgettable.

“Like a child going to Disneyland for the first time,” he says. “It felt like a unique opportunity to bring such an iconic character to life. I was incredibly grateful, and excited at the idea of bringing Buddy to life with and in front of my children.”

The Heart of GAOS is Community

GAOS productions are known for their warmth and collaborative spirit, something Sebastian says is at the very core of Elf the Musical.

“GAOS shows involve up to a hundred people to bring them to life,” he explains. “They simply wouldn’t exist without all the people working both onstage and off. We are all aware of this joint effort, the enormous amount of work that each person puts in, the sacrifices that this entails, and the energy that must be invested. This is one of the reasons for the incredible community spirit at GAOS. Every detail matters, the sneeze of a passerby in a street scene, or Buddy’s first kiss under a huge glittery Christmas tree.”

Rehearsals, he says, have felt less like work and more like a shared adventure.

“It’s a fantastic experience, an extraordinary journey. A journey that starts as a group and ends as a family.”

Favourite Moments (And a Few Challenges)

Choosing one favourite scene? Impossible.

“Greatest Dad is iconic and a blast to perform, but Sparklejollytwinklejingley and Nobody Cares About Santa are fantastic ensemble numbers. Then there are all those little comedic moments performed by each character that never stop, and they are for me fantastic.”

But even an elf has obstacles....

“Dancing is probably my biggest personal challenge. My dancing skills are about as good as my knowledge of nuclear physics. Close to zero.”

And here’s a confession: “Duets terrify me. Singing to seduce Jovie feels like skydiving at every rehearsal, and probably still will during every show!”

What Audiences Can Expect

If you’ve never been to a GAOS production before, this is the perfect place to start.

“GAOS is constantly striving to improve and has been doing so for over 50 years. When I saw my first GAOS show as a member of the audience, I was impressed by the quality, standard, and talent of all the people who have been contributing to these shows for so long. That's why it's such a unique opportunity to discover these musicals in the region, without having to go to the West End or Broadway.”

As for the show itself?

“Buddy the Elf is like Christmas and Broadway had a baby. It’s an emotional roller coaster, funny for all ages, and a real feel-good Christmas musical. And you don’t need kids as an excuse to come it’s a perfect date night, far better than the new Christmas comedies on Netflix!”

The Story

For those new to Buddy’s world: Elf the Musical follows a human raised by elves at the North Pole who travels to New York City to find his real father and discover where he truly belongs. Along the way, he spreads laughter, kindness, and holiday magic.

WIN Two Tickets!

Thanks to our friends at GAOS, we’re giving away two tickets to the Thursday 11 December performance of Elf the Musical.

Competition question:

Who played Buddy the Elf in the original movie?

ENTER TO WIN HERE

Deadline: 1 December Midday when we will draw a winner at random.

Perfect for families, couples, groups of friends, or anyone craving festive sparkle, this is the show to kick off your Christmas season. For ticket information and performance times visit Gaos.ch