By Becky Evans
Get in your sleigh and ride to Live! at the Eccles’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: the Musical in Salt Lake City because it’s here for two days only. It is darling, wonderful, entertaining, and reminds you of the classic cartoon movie but with more heart and more character. Apparently I’ve neglected my Christmas duty, and my daughter has never seen the old Rudolph movie, so all she had to go on was the song, but she was captivated by this show and pleasantly surprised by the characters and adventures.
Based on the original movie Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer from 1964, the stage adaptation by Robert Penola explores the story behind the classic song about a misfit reindeer who is trying to find his place in Christmas town. Along the way he makes friends with some other misfits, and they overcome obstacles and find out that with the magic of Christmas, there is a place for everyone.
The set is wonderful, whimsical and reminiscent of the movie set designed by Infante Media and Jean-yves Tessier. The costumes and puppets done by Hardrive Productions are especially captivating. The reindeer, the misfit toys, Bumbo, and even a singing snowman are true to the movie while allowing the actors to use their own facial expressions, body movement, and verbal intonations to develop the characters. When the curtain opens, it feels like they’re letting you into a storybook with soft and bright colors, falling snow, and Christmas decor. We especially loved when Bella Hicks (Rudolph) rises in the air flying for the first time because a girl reindeer called him “CUUUUTE.” Hicks was born to play this role and has the energy, spunk, and Rudolph’s voice down to a T.
Orchestrations by William C. White are excellent, and the arrangements by Timothy Splain are fun and even provide some sing-a-long time at the end. The audience, full of children sitting on boosters, was laughing and clapping and giggling after each number. The whole ensemble is excellent Broadway quality. I was especially impressed by Christopher Jewell Valentin (Hermey), the elf who doesn’t want to build toys but wants to be a dentist. My girls loved Clarice (Bridgette Belling) and Mrs. Donner (Sami Nye), who are just so nice and sweet. Trevin Goin (Sam the Snowman) has strong vocals and helps move the show along with his narrations and commentary. Yukon Cornelius, played by Timothy Joshua Hearl, made everyone laugh with his bigger-than-life character. When Santa (Erich Schroeder) takes the stage, he becomes our familiar Santa and all that is the Jolly Old Saint.
Director Dana Solimando wears two hats as she is also head choreographer. With her team she has created a delightful, upbeat, professional-quality Christmas-y experience for young and old alike. Rudolph is only a two-day engagement: November 22-23 with a matinee performance on Saturday the 23, so you have two more chances to see this merry production. Have a Holly Jolly time at Live! at the Eccles’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.
There is parking directly west of the theatre, or if you park at Salt Lake Central Trax station and travel in and get off at the City Center station (1st South), you don’t even have to find a parking space. You can park and ride in for free.
Live! at the Eccles Presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer-The Musical, an Animated Television Special Adapted from a Story by Robert L. May, with Music and Lyrics by Johnny Marks.
Delta Hall at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Friday, November 22-23, 2019, Friday 7:00 PM, Saturday November 23 2:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $30-$90
Contact: 385-355-2787, or artix: https://artsaltlake.org/events/eccles-theater/, events@artsaltlake.org
Live! at the Eccles Facebook Page
Eccles Theater Facebook Page
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Facebook Event
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Website
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