First Stage’s “Rudolph” a must-see for holiday cheer

The talented First Stage team, a mix of youth actors and veteran adult actors, brings the magic of the stop-motion classic to the Todd Wehr Auditorium. Photo credit Mark Frohna.

Even thirty minutes before First Stage Children’s Theater‘s opening night performance of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the audience of little theater goers and their parents was unbelievably excited. This was a joyous, delighted crowd, unlike the unruly masses of Black Friday shoppers running about the city only hours before. Just before the show began, artistic director Jeff Frank made the rounds, greeting the many children in the audience.

Robert Spencer’s portrayal of Sam the Snowman was spot-on. In order to preserve the magic of the original stop-motion TV special, Spencer sat in an elaborate snowman costume that glided around the stage thanks to one of the many “snowkens” – actors cloaked entirely in white – that also puppeteered the Island of Misfit Toys and rearranged various set pieces throughout the show. At first the snowkens were somewhat of a distraction, but soon they blended into the set as intended.

First Stage’s young actors bring an age-appropriate charm to the show. Photo credit Mark Frohna.

Young actor Cole Hines was excellent as Rudolph (Hines is double-cast with Darius Gaskin. He and the other reindeer wore full-body reindeer costumes complete with doe-eyed head pieces and hooves. Hines is an eighth grader at Golda Meir Middle School, and had an slight awkwardness and adolescent voice that was perfect for the role of Rudolph. But it was clear that Hines is a very skilled young actor. He sang classics like “There’s Always Tomorrow” in a beautiful voice and he knew to move his head side-to-side in reindeer fashion.

On the Todd Wehr stage, designed to be a nearly all-white winter wonderland, the cast and crew expertly shifted from Christmas Town to the Island of Misfit Toys to Bumble the Abominable Snowman’s cave. Changes in lighting – dappled white to create a snowy effect, light blue to portray icy cold water, pink for the elves’ workshop – helped establish the different environments.

Surprises added to the delight. A seal popped up from below the stage balancing a Christmas present on his nose. The play’s epic snowstorm whipped wind, “snowflakes” and fog about the stage. The snowkens even were able to make the show’s reindeer “fly,” lifting them about the stage. And a massive Bumble the Abominable Snowman puppet emerged, roaring, from backstage near a portion of the audience. (First Stage is referring to that area, section six, as the “Bumble Zone,” so keep that in mind if you’ve got an easily frightened youngster – one little boy began crying when the Bumble appeared and he had to leave the performance.)

The entire cast was excellent and it was wonderful to see young actors working in tandem with veteran thespians. The show’s final scene featured the entire cast singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and the audience couldn’t help but sing along. This is a must-see family play that will certainly jolt you into the holiday spirit.

First Stage’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer runs through December 30. Tickets start at $14 and can be purchased at (414) 273-7206 or First Stage’s online box office.