Rudolph to soar from screen to stage in Mon River Arts musical
The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special.
Mon River Arts is getting ready to bring some holiday cheer to the Mon Valley with its production of “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.”
Mon River Arts will put a musical spin on the animated TV classic, which first aired in 1964.
Director Samantha Hawk said even those unfamiliar with Rudolph’s story can still enjoy the show.
“I think if you’re familiar with the Rudolph Christmas special, you’ll love this,” Hawk said. “And if you’re not, it’s a wonderful story to get introduced to. The whole story is about Rudolph being a misfit and not fitting in, and really, him just finding his place in the world and finding some friends along the way. So it’s a really heartwarming story for anyone to listen to and to watch.”
The production will debut at 7:30 tonight at the Grand Theatre, 207 S. 2nd Ave. in downtown Elizabeth. Other show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.monriverarts. org/.
Tickets are $22 for adults, $15 for children and $18 for seniors ages 62 and older.
Hawk said they have been rehearsing since September and have 33 cast members, of all ages. On top of the cast, they also have a production staff, stage managers, a choreographer, and a music director, which makes the show a large group effort.
“I think my favorite part so far has been working with the kids,” Hawk said. “For a lot of them, this is one of their first big performances they’ve done, so starting to introduce them to shows and theater, and the whole process there has been really fun.
“It’s been a great experience, especially since I grew up doing shows here, so it’s lovely to be on the other side of it.”
Hawk said some of the younger performers have worked hard for the show and encouraged local residents to come see their hard work. At the beginning of their rehearsal on Monday, it was obvious they were excited to put on the show.
Hawk said the audience will also be impressed with the mechanical aspects of the show.
“We’re working through a lot of the technical elements,” she said. “We have the Abominable Snow Monster that we’ve just started working with yesterday. So that’s definitely a tricky one that’s taken some time, but I think it’s going to look really cool in the final product.”
Here are the Mon River Arts “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” cast members: Kylie Armbruster (Elf 1); Lauren Bennett (Clarice’s Mother/Elf); Joel Castagnola (Elf 3); Joya Castagnola (Elf 2); Lydia Cavalancia (Elf 4); Ben Cindric (Dasher); Dana Cindric (Mrs. Donner); Anthony Coccari (Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster/ Elf); Nora Cope (Spotted Elephant/Elf); Dana De-Fonso (Sam); Randy Dicks (Santa Claus); David Dillman (Donner/King Moonracer); Nora Dillman (Hermey); Cameron Gaborek (Vixen); Elliette Gaborek (Cowboy/Elf); Emma Hawkins (Train/Elf); Jacob Judy (Fireball); Lily Kiss (Blitzen/ Reindeer 3); Lily Knestaut (Cupid); Victoria Lucas (Reindeer 1); Wayne Lucas (Reindeer 2); Chloe Markovich (Boss Elf); Devyn Pope (Dancer); Anna Rosiek (Plane/Elf); Rebecca Rosiek (Aviator Elf); Jonathan Russell (Bird/Elf); Corey Schildkamp (Yukon Cornelius/Elf); Michael Schildkamp (Rudolph); Rachel Schildkamp (Prancer); Brynlee Shultz (Doll/ Elf); Maggie Thomas (Clarice); Marykay Vallo (Mrs. Claus); Alena Wight (Coach Comet/Charlie).
