BWW Interviews: Young Performers Shine Bright in RUDOLPH

With Christmas Eve and December 25th fast approaching, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will be ready to lead Santa's sleigh once again. Milwaukee's First Stage adapted the classic television special celebrating a 5oth anniversary this year into a musical two year ago, where Rudolph "with his nose so bright" so children could savor the story in live action. The animated character celebrating a half century this year received a high honor this year, a 2014 U.S. Postal Stamp to commemorate the occasion, while Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer :The Musical revisits First Stage in Milwaukee to nearly sold out performances.

At all First Stage's Theater for Young Audiences, talented young performers play age appropriate and key roles through the use of alternating casts for any one production. In Rudolph, a Holly and Jolly cast features Luke Brotherhood (Right below) and Collin Woldt (Right above) to embody the star role, the misfit reindeer with the glowing nose. So how did these two 12 year old youths feel about flying on stage and living a character they watched on television since they were toddlers? With the advent of the DVD, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer can be experienced any day of the year instead of only one night in December, and both youths have been fascinated with the story from an early age. The two chatted about appaering in this iconic role, and the opportunity to shine in their childhood memories..

What do you two remember about watching Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer?

Colin: I remember singing and dancing from the TV special. That was really cool because you grow up with this.. You thought about wanting to fly, think about wanting to fly, being Rudolph and then playing Rudolph [on stage], a dream comes true.

Luke; Our family always watched Rudolph the movie while we were decorating the Christmas tres. We'd watch this over and over,. I always liked doing this because Rudolph's difference and uniqueness shine. Now, we are the misfits!

What was most difficult about playing Rudolph, a reindeer?

Colin and Luke: The costumes, they're heavy and hot, the heads. We had to practice movements, act like a reindeer, in front of the mirror so we could move like a reindeer.

Colin: You need to maintain your human state, while you almost become an animal.

Luke: As an actor, you need to get into your character--a reindeer--make it fun and interesting to the audience.

Did either of you see the original First Stage production two years ago?

Colin: After watching the animation on TV, and then this production, you connect these memories to the show. Sometimes we would watch the movie in July, we liked the story so much. With DVD"s on demand you can watch this over and over at any time. Being part of holiday production is special, and flying, acting can be really fun.

Luke: When you see the story on stage, you think of Rudolph differently. Rudolph becomes a person with real feelings. Being part of a holiday production, can be so special, like magic.

First Stage creates magic year round instead of only at the holidays. for adults and children. To coordinate with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,:The Musical,, the company promotes the "Shine Bright" campaign on twitter. This writing project encourages people who might feel they, too, might be misfits, or have an unusual personal quality. Anyone can share their thoughts to begin their discussions on these concerns. Or write what you remember about watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindee during the last 50 years. Share your memories on the First Stage Facebook page. Relive the magic again... Think about how these two young performers playing Rudolph believe the unique qualities in an individual, even a red-nose shining so bright, could at any moment transform into a treasuerd gift.

First Stage presents Rudolph the Red-Reindeer in the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through December 28. For further information and ticket availability, please visit www.firststage.org.