First Stage is ushering in the 2022 holiday season with an adaptation of the beloved classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.”
Judging by the reactions of the children (of all ages) in the audience, this was a perfect start to Christmas! This production is conceived and directed by Jeff Frank with musical direction by Raven Dockery.
Everyone knows the story of how a deer, born with a shiny, glowing red nose, was initially shunned by almost everyone and then became a hero when Santa needed his help guiding his sleigh on Christmas Eve. Each and every character has become a classic holiday icon and this show was a complete delight to experience.
Ashley Oviedo (lower left), Tommy Novak (as Sam the Snowman), Lauren DeGroot, Lucia Harris (as Rudolph) and James Carrington (center) and cast in First Stage’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical”
I want to start by complimenting the actors who made much of this theater magic possible – the talented performers, dressed from head to toe in white, who moved around the stage (and many times on the floor) to help bring a number of the characters, ranging from the tiny Dolly for Sue to the huge menacing Bumble, to life.
They blend in nicely with the white of Christmas Town and one soon forgets they are there. My grandson’s favorite part was when they manipulated the young bucks as they tried to take flight – or as he told me, “I liked when Rudolph was flying!” Fantastic job!!!
Sam, the snowman who narrates the story, is played by Tommy Novak, who is wonderful. Another standout is David Flores as Santa Claus.
Karen Estrada and David Flores in First Stage’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.”
The performance we saw featured the Gold Cast of young performers and I have no doubt that the Silver Cast was equally talented. While I can’t mention everyone by name, Lucia Harris as Rudolph, Lauren DeGroot as Clarice and Abram Nelson as Hermie were great!
First Stage is known for its excellent children’s shows and their “Rudolph” must be added to the list. The children in the audience clapped, gasped and sang along.
Wonderful job all around!
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” runs through Dec. 24.