The Most Famous Reindeer of All Returns to First Stage in its 2024-25 Season
The longest-running holiday TV special of all time, brought to life 12 years ago at First Stage, makes a triumphant return as Rudolph and friends celebrate their 60th Anniversary.
MILWAUKEE —First Stage — one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families — invites you home for the holidays with its production of RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER™: THE MUSICAL. Join Rudolph and friends as they come to life in an adventure that reminds us what makes you different can be what makes you special!
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER™: THE MUSICAL runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 29, 2024, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Todd Wehr Theater. Tickets are available now on FirstStage.org.
In regards to First Stage, Frank shared the organization is “proud to be part of Rudolph’s legacy, having brought this holiday classic to life with our world premiere production in 2012. Since then, our show has inspired productions nationwide — but it all began right here in Milwaukee, where the magic first took the stage. Welcome home, Rudolph, Hermey, and the rest of the gang!”
From the unforgettable music of Johnny Marks to thrilling encounters with the Bumble, from the lovable Island of Misfit Toys to the laughter sparked by Yukon Cornelius — this heartwarming production brings everyone’s favorite holiday characters to life. Gather your loved ones and make this season unforgettable by coming home for the holidays with First Stage!
Acclaimed as “…packed full of holiday magic and family fun” by the Shepherd Express, this wonderful holiday tradition speaks to the misfit in all of us!
The show runs approximately 75 minutes, including a brief intermission. Recommended for families with young people ages 3-12 and theater lovers of all ages. The Pay What You Choose Performance is Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., and the Sign Language Interpreted Performance is Sunday, Dec. 22, at 3:30 p.m.
Creative Team
Director … Jeff Frank
Music Director … Tim Rebers
Choreographer … Ami Majeskie
Scenic / Costume / Puppet Designer … Brandon Kirkham
Lighting Designer … Jason Fassl, USA
Assistant Lighting Designer … Jessica Baker
Sound Designer … Matt Whitmore
Production Stage Manager … Kelly L. Schwartz*
Assistant Stage Manager … Aminah Rockett
Second Assistant Stage Manager … Vivian Madson
Adult Performers
Coach Comet/Yukon … Zach Woods*
Boss Elf / Charlie in the Box / Snoken … J.T. Backes*
Sam the Snowman … James Carrington*
Santa Claus / Ensemble … David Flores
Mrs. Claus / Snoken … Karen Estrada*
Mrs. Donner / Snoken … Jamie Mercado
Donner / Snoken … Tim Rebers
Lead Snoken / Bumble / Moonracer … Tim Linn
Understudy: Coach Comet / Yukon … Logan Milway
Understudy: Boss Elf Track … Morgan Gates
Understudy: Santa/Donner Track … Aidan Black
Understudy: Mrs. Donner / Mrs. Claus Track … Caitlyn Nettesheim
Understudy: Lead Snoken / Bumble / Moonracer … Roc Bauman
Understudy: Sam the Snowman … Chris Orth
Young Performers
Silver Cast
Rudolph … Gwen Madson, Milwaukee
Hermey … Penny Whitmore, Milwaukee
Clarice … Kara DeGroot, Menomonee Falls
Fireball / Snoken 7 … Blue Madson, Milwaukee
Elf 1 … Arkadius Yanovskiy, Milwaukee
Elf 2 / Aviator Elf … Alice Nguyen, Milwaukee
Elf 3 … Will Perkins, Shorewood
Elf 4 … Harlowe Cook, Waukesha
Elf 5 … Charlotte Townsend, Mequon
Elf 6 … Violet Marty, Jefferson
Elf 7 … Dayeliz Richarson, Milwaukee
Tall Elf / Ostrich Cowboy / Snoken … Kian Sheldon, Muskego
Dolly / Snoken 1 … Evie Maassen, Elm Grove
Spotted Elephant / Snoken 3 … Izzabella Yanovskiy, Milwaukee
Birdfish / Snoken 4 … Robin Nordstrom, Menomonee Falls
Train / Snoken 5 … Marlow Kuhnen-Grooms, Shorewood
Plane / Snoken 2 … Sofia Kubacki, Milwaukee
Young Doe / Snoken 6 … Estelle Brown, Wauwatosa
Young Buck 1 / Snoken 7 … Jetziel Soler, Milwaukee
Young Buck 2 / Snoken 8 … Cece Golbuff, Whitefish Bay
Young Performers
Gold Cast
Rudolph … Silvia Stoeger, Milwaukee
Hermey … Maryn Davis, New Berlin
Clarice … Amelia Sajdak, Wauwatosa
Fireball / Snoken 7 … Collin Wiese, Wauwatosa
Elf 1 … Liam Owens Meyer, Wauwatosa
Elf 2 / Aviator Elf … Valentina Vega, Milwaukee
Elf 3 … Bennett Schoonover, Muskego
Elf 4 … Elise Fischer, Whitefish Bay
Elf 5 … Viviana Vega, Milwaukee
Elf 6 … Quinn Gersch, Whitefish Bay
Elf 7 … Brianna Donahue, Whitefish Bay
Tall Elf / Ostrich Cowboy / Snoken … Grant Schoonover, Muskego
Dolly / Snoken 1 … Abbie Cashman, Shorewood
Spotted Elephant / Snoken 3 … Mia Raines, Whitefish Bay
Birdfish / Snoken 4 … Harper Smith, Muskego
Train / Snoken 5 … Indy Elliott, Franklin
Plane / Snoken 2 … Elena Rana, Grafton
Young Doe / Snoken 6 … Cecily Tobiczyk, Fox Point
Young Buck 1 / Snoken 7 … Mason Litzsey, Milwaukee
Young Buck 2 / Snoken 8 … Harlow Tobiczy, Fox Point
*Appearing through an Agreement between First Stage and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Don’t miss out on the rest of the season productions coming soon! Find tickets and additional information at www.firststage.org/2024-2025-Season.
-
Dec. 6 – 25 THE TEMPEST
-
Jan. 18 – Feb. 16 THE DINOSAUR PLAY
-
Jan. 31 – Feb. 16 EMILY SONG AND THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT
-
March 8 – April 6 DISNEY & PIXAR’S FINDING NEMO
-
March 28 – April 13 RIDE THE CYCLONE: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION
-
May 2 – 18 ESPERANZA RISING
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by First Stage
Heroes Assemble: First Stage Soars to New Heights with its 2024/25 Season
May 7th, 2024 by First StageDisney favorites, evil queens, prehistoric adventures, holiday classics, and groovy, guitar-playing cats take center stage this season
First Stage proudly presents ESCAPE FROM PELIGRO ISLAND: A Create Your Own Adventure Play
Apr 24th, 2024 by First StageJoin Callaway Brown in this interactive, unforgettable adventure of a lifetime
First Stage’s award-winning Young Company presents AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
Apr 9th, 2024 by First StageA searing examination of the intersection of politics and the public good