Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

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For those who grew up in the 1970s, it wasn’t Christmas without the annual broadcast of the classic, stop-motion animated special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. With Burl Ives singing and narrating, the show featured a distinct visual style, the lovable Abominable Snow Monster, geeky elf Dennis who wants to be a dentist, the Land of Misfit Toys, and, of course, Rudolph, with his red light bulb nose. It also included his flying coach father, Donner, who was desperately ashamed of having a fawn who was different. Thanks to the vision of Jeff Frank, artistic director of Milwaukee’s First Stage Children’s Theater, the holiday staple was translated from TV to the stage. The touring version retains the show’s signature look and feel and proving once again that sometimes being “different” can be one’s greatest asset.

press release: THE NORTH POLE – Following five successful years of touring and more than 500 performances, the “most famous reindeer of all” from the longest running and highest rated holiday television special will fly into Madison at Overture Hall on Saturday, Nov. 16 (2 pm and 7 pm) live on stage with the critically acclaimed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (www.rudolphthemusical.com). The world’s most famous reindeer and a holly jolly cast of iconic characters, including Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snow Monster, will help Santa save Christmas.

In 1964, the beloved stop-motion animated television classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer made its network television debut and has been delighting audiences across the country for over 50 years.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is a wonderful new way to experience this family tradition,” says producing partner Jonathan Flom. The national tour is a family favorite—a “holiday staple” (The Boston Globe) and an “utterly charming, top-notch production” (Orlando Sentinel).

Projections, costumes and characters are faithfully brought to the stage against a backdrop of nostalgic set designs. The 12-foot-plus-tall Abominable Snow Monster is jaw-dropping. The cast brings high energy to classic songs and dialogue, while irresistible and loveable puppets highlight the charming “roughness” from the television show’s stop-motion effects.

Flom says, “The familiar story elements from the television special are addressed with a talented cast and puppeteers who help recreate the magic on stage.” Since the special itself is a classic musical, the stage show does not feel at all like an adaptation and audiences are surprised and delighted when they see performances of songs such as “Fame and Fortune” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” that are heard but not performed in the TV special.

The story tells the tale of a young Rudolph who, because of the appearance of his bright, shining nose, is excluded from the Reindeer Games. He flees Christmastown and meets up with new friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius. After finding The Island of Misfit Toys, Rudolph journeys home, where a snowstorm of epic proportions is threatening Christmas. Can Rudolph rescue his family and friends and help Santa save the holiday?

Rudolph’s partnership with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center continues this year. The show offers a free toolkit to teachers that leverages the powerful messages from the Rudolph story to teach important character values. In addition, a portion of proceeds from venue sales of the book, T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games, will be donated to PACER.      

For more information, visit www.rudolphthemusical.com and follow the latest updates to the

Facebook page at facebook.com/rudolphthemusicaltour.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is produced by Right Angle Entertainment, S2BN Entertainment and Premiere Producers LLC.

Right Angle Entertainment (Producers): Founded in 2014 by Alison Spiriti and Justin Sudds, Right Angle Entertainment specializes in the creation, production and management of live touring shows with a focus on bringing personalities and brands to life on stage. The shows cross genres from concerts to digital stars to theatrical productions.