REVIEW — It’s long overdue, but at last we can be thankful that the longest-running TV special in U.S. history finally has a stage adaptation, and it is currently warming hearts at Tuacahn’s Hafen Theatre.
Practically a note-for-note recreation of the stop-motion Rankin/Bass production that first aired in 1964, Tuacahn’s delightful version illustrates quaintly that there’s no compelling reason to change a single thing.
This production clocks in at a little over 80 minutes of pure, sweet nostalgia that’s especially welcome because, despite countless mediums and streaming services, there’s definitely a dearth of unapologetically innocent, truly family-oriented entertainment these days.
You could even say Rudolph and company have arrived just in the St. Nick of time.
The musical features all the characters from the special, including narrator Sam the Snowman (a wonderfully jolly Rendell Debose), who tells the story of the year Christmas was almost canceled. Along the way, we meet Rudolph (a cheery Alex Hunt), whose bright nose makes him the brunt of all those reindeer jokes and prompts his eventual quest to strike out on his own.
The journey leads him to another misfit: Hermey the Elf (perfectly-pitched Andrew Kotzen), who yearns to be a dentist, and they’re soon joined by Yukon Cornelius (the delightfully goofy Neil Starkenberg). Of course, Rudolph saves the day, reminding us that we all have special gifts that on the surface may appear to be limitations and that friends who understand us can have an indelible impact.
The songs, penned by Johnny Marks, retain their catchy purity. The characters come to life on stage with a simple guilelessness that befits the material. Elves bippity-bop, reindeer bound about as reindeer are wont to do, and the costumes and set pieces capture the very essence of the beloved animated special.
Of course, an oversized Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster nearly steals the show, and the misfit toys are adorable – with Andrew Foote’s Charlie-in-the-Box a personal favorite.
Director-Choreographer Alan Coats, like many cast members making his Tuacahn debut, has probably directed more productions of this eight-year-old show than anyone alive but keeps the proceedings unfussy and refreshingly charming. The only recommendation would be to cut the unnecessary intermission and keep the show to a little over an hour without interrupting the flow of the story. It might also prompt more audiences filled with kids, particularly on school nights.
It would be easy to label Tuacahn’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” a “kid show,” but for those of us who remember waiting anxiously to watch the TV special on its solitary annual broadcast, or grew up watching it on VHS, DVD or Blu-ray, it’s a delicious candy-cane of a treat that we hope to never grow too old to appreciate.
“Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” plays at the indoor Hafen Theatre through Dec. 22 with ticket prices ranging from $24 to $66. Children under age 3 are not permitted. Contact Tuacahn.org or 435-652-3300 for tickets and information.
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