Just the thing to put people into the holiday spirit is “Christmas Undercover.” Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s song-and-dance extravaganza bursts upon the stage Dec. 9-18 at NOVA’s Annandale campus.

“It’s a really cute plot with a detective feel to it, plus Santa Claus,” said Director Raynor van der Merwe. “There’s a strong storyline that sets up beautiful vocal and dance numbers that further tell the story. It’s a very entertaining show for the whole family. For two hours, the youngest to the oldest will be transported to a different world.”

In New York City, Northern Postal Service workers are actually undercover elves. While delivering packages throughout the city, they check on all the children and scan them to measure their level of Christmas spirit. Then they can determine whether to put them on Santa’s naughty or nice list.

Marzipan, a young female elf, is on her first assignment and measures a girl named Noel with 0 percent Christmas spirit. And when Marzipan and the other elves return to the North Pole, they inadvertently bring Noel with them. But her presence causes havoc with the energy there. So the North Pole historian, played by Jack Stein, must figure out how to make things right.

“We have a beautiful, new, North Pole set that’s gorgeous and breathtaking — including a revolving library,” said van der Merwe. “Tabitha Dees has done an amazing job designing it. We have a 32-person cast, including three guest adults, and I’m so excited about the wonderful progress I’ve seen in my dancers this year. They’ve stepped it up to a whole, new level and inspire, challenge and reward me as a teacher.”

Maya Tischler plays Marzipan. “She’s an eccentric character who can get dejected when things aren’t looking up,” said Tischler. “But when someone says they can help her, she immediately perks up and becomes excited. And she has an easy time making friends.”

Tischler’s enjoying her role because “I can sometimes relate to Marzipan in real life, and I like her personality and how she enjoys talking to new people.” Her favorite song is “Be a Santa” because “It’s fun to dance and, in the storyline, Marzipan is trying out to become an undercover Santa and do new things.”

She said the audience will love everything about this show. “The creativity, set, props, character development, colors and costumes all bring the story to life,” said Tischler. “And people will especially like all the dance numbers.”

Chantilly High senior Claire Griese portrays Cookie, an undercover elf who “couldn’t keep a job if her life depended on it,” said Griese. “But she also keeps quitting jobs because she thinks her co-workers might be on to her. She’s very anxious, but also super peppy and what you’d imagine an elf to be like — happy, kid-like and friendly.”

Griese’s having a good time playing her because, in previous years, she played characters that weren’t as uplifting. “But now I have humor in my part and get to be goofy, have fun onstage and make children laugh,” she said.

She’s also pleased about Encore’s new, reindeer Rockette number to the song, “Here Comes Santa Claus.” She said the reindeer costume is “really cute; and this year, we’ve added bells to it. And we really go for it and dance. Aside from the great characters, this show has constant action and will surprise the audience. There’s always something interesting happening onstage, and we have a great set and script. I’m excited, and I hope people will laugh — it’s definitely a funny show.”

Playing Holly, an undercover elf in New York, is Centreville High senior Jenna Frisby. “She’s the leader of the group; she’s more mature and sarcastic and tries to keep order,” said Frisby. “She’s very take-charge and tries to solve problems and help the other elves get out of tricky situations. They’re optimistic, but she’s more realistic.”

“She’s different than the typical elf character because she’s so witty, so I really enjoy playing her,” continued Frisby. “And I like being the leader; it’s fun bossing the other elves around.”

Her favorite number is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” because it’s like a waltz and she gets to show her ballet technique — “which is one of my strengths,’ said Frisby. “And the costumes are pretty and flowy. I wear a red-mesh, halter dress that flares out when I turn, and the other elves are in long gowns.”

She said the audience will enjoy seeing “the journey these elves go on. There are a lot of funny moments, and the audience will recognize the traditional Christmas songs.”

Portraying Noel is 11-year-old Ella Abramovich. Describing Noel as “energetic, talkative, happy and joyful,” Ella said her character is upbeat and smiley, all the time. “She’s like my personality, so she’s easy to play,” she said. And Ella especially likes the song, “He’s Got a List,” because “It’s all about children giving their letters to Santa, and everybody’s singing and happy.”

Overall, she said audience members “will like seeing how everything works out in the end, and the happiness and the switch in scenes from New York to the North Pole. They’ll actually feel as if they’re there. People should definitely come see this show.”

To Go

Show times are:

Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m.;

Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.;

Sunday, Dec. 11, at noon and 3:30 p.m.;

Friday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m.;

Saturday, Dec. 17, at noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.;

Sunday, Dec. 18, at noon and 3:30 p.m.

Performances are in NOVA’s Richard Ernst Theater, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Tickets are $19-26 at the door or via www.Encore-tap.org. For more information, call 703-222-5511.