BWW Reviews: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical opened at Tennessee Performing Arts Center on Tuesday night. Rudolph pranced into Nashville bringing Christmas spirit along with several recognizable friends like Hermy, Yukon Cornelius, Clarice, the Abominable Snowman, and, of course, Santa Claus. Based on the 1964 stop-motion animation Christmas special that still plays every year, Rudolph the Musical brings the joy of the television special to the stage, while still retaining all of its charm.

Creative staging results in half puppets, half actors in costume, while adding several well-known Christmas tunes to the show. The use of projections throughout the show also helps blend the feel of a staged production with that of the original television special. The actors in the ensemble double their roles by bringing to life the puppets and acting in different roles, but also acting as stage-hands by moving the props between and during scenes.

Rudolph's parents notice he is different from him birth. When the others in Christmas-town begin to notice as well, Rudolph, played by Lexy Baeza, has a terrible time fitting in. His only friend is the sweet and caring doe, Clarice, played by Hailey Tweter. When Rudolph meets up with Hermy, the elf who doesn't like to make toys, played by Wesley Edwards, the two of them band together to find a place where they aren't such misfits. Along the journey they meet several friends (and foes) like Yukon Cornelius, played by Nick Waaland, the toys on the Island of Misfit Toys, and the Abominable Snowman.

When a snow storm threatens to cancel Christmas, Rudolph, and those around him, learn that being different can be a great thing, given the right circumstances. Santa is able to call on Rudolph for help and the winter storm becomes no match for Rudolph and his bright nose.

"Jingle, Jingle, Jingle" and "We're a Couple of Misfits" were two of my favorite numbers in the show. The staging and choreography of "Jingle, Jingle, Jingle" was quite creative, including puppets and dancing reindeer. "We're a Couple of Misfits," sung by Hermy and Rudolph, was such a celebration of being different. While neither Hermy or Rudolph fit in with their peers, they found each other and they didn't mind that they were different when they were together. But while all the musical numbers were fun and somewhat recognizable, my favorite was the final number, in which the audience is invited to join the cast in singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

Watching a well-known and loved Christmas special from my own childhood (I own it on DVD) left me feeling excited and nostalgic all at the same time. Even more fun was watching the number of very young children present in the audience. Running a short 90 minutes, including intermission, this show is a quick trip down memory lane that won't have your children climbing the walls from sitting in one spot for too long.

This show is staged in the smaller Polk theatre at Tennessee Performing Arts Center and is perfect for families with small children. If you're feeling nostalgic and want that trip down memory lane, or you're simply looking for a show that will help introduce very young children to the world of live theatre, this is a perfect fit. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical plays at Tennessee Performing Arts Center through December 21st. You can purchase tickets by visiting their website, or by calling the box office at 615-782-4040.