‘Elf in Concert’ promises big surprises at Peacock Theater at L.A. Live

He traveled from the North Pole through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest and through the sea of swirly-twirly gum drops before walking through the Lincoln Tunnel.

And now, 20 years later, Buddy the Elf is going on a 31-date world tour. And this lovable cotton-headed ninny muggins is being backed by a live orchestra.

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Just in time for the holidays and to mark the 20-year anniversary of the release of director Jon Favreau’s “Elf,” starring famous “Saturday Night Live” alum and Irvine native Will Ferrell as a human raised by elves, “Elf in Concert” is bringing the film back to the big screen and having local orchestras perform award-winning composer John Debney’s score live-to-film.

The tour stop at Peacock Theater (formerly Microsoft Theater) at L.A. Live on Sunday, Dec. 17 will be a real holiday treat, because it’s going to be the only stop where the prolific composer himself will be at the helm of the orchestra conducting his now classic score.

“There’s something so special about this movie. I think this movie always seems to make people and their hearts soar, it sort of brings out the child in each of us every Christmas. I never thought 20 years later we’d be doing this in concert, that’s so fun,” Debney said during a phone interview.

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“The fact that I get to do this concert in L.A., my hometown, is really, really great and little bit scary in one sense because I want to make sure it’s perfect. But in the other sense, I’m going to be surrounded by friends, family and big fans of the film so I can’t wait,” he added.

The 2003 film follows Buddy the Elf, a charming, but odd grown-up who was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised among Santa’s elves. When he finally figures out he’s human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York in search of his real father, all while wearing his full elf clothing, including his yellow, skin-tight pants and green coat.

The film has become a holiday classic thanks to Ferrell’s memorable performance as a human-elf and, of course, Debney’s lively score.

The Glendale-raised musician is widely considered to be one of the most prolific composers in Hollywood, with dozens of films to his credit, including “Liar Liar,” “Iron Man 2,” “Spy Kids,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” and “The Passion of the Christ.” He has won three Emmys and is also an Academy Award nominee.

But the endearing comedy about Buddy the Elf has has a special place in his long and admirable career.

“I would say ‘Elf’ is in my top five,” he said. “There are so many emotions with this film, but the biggest feeling I have is gratitude because this film has become one of those classic films and you don’t get that many chances to do a film like this.”

When he created the score, Debney said one of his goals was to find a theme that would bring people back to classic Christmas stories and to find a tone that was fun, quirky and surprising.

“A couple of the areas I particularly love that I think bring it all together is when Buddy goes on his journey to New York, I think that was a very important scene to find that wistful, yet heroic kind of adventurous sound for Buddy the Elf,” he said.

“The other one was, of course, the ending, the whole ending of the movie was all music,” he went on, referring to the crucial moment in the film when Buddy finds Santa in Central Park and helps him fix his sleigh and save Christmas. “I think it works really well musically and dramatically and that’s a big credit to Jon Favreau, who guided me to get the right emotion.”

He also noted that the Los Angeles audience could be in for a holiday surprise during the local show.

“We’re going to have somebody very special there that will probably introduce the film. But I’m not going to spoil that,” he said.

“It could be an elf,” he added with a chuckle.

“Elf in Concert”

When: 4 p.m. Dec. 17

Where: Peacock Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles

Cost: $25-$125 at elfinconcert.com