Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Many of us remember growing up with the 1964 Rankin/Bass stop motion animated special: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Now you can share this nostalgic holiday story with a new generation – live and in-person! Because of his red, shiny nose, Rudolph doesn’t feel like he belongs in Christmastown and sets off to find a place that accepts him. Along his journey, he encounters fellow misfits, only to realize that home is where he’s belonged the whole time. When a storm threatens to keep Santa’s sleigh from taking flight, it’s up to Rudolph to save Christmas!

Northwest Children’s Theater (NWCT) brings Rudolph to life in a musical adaptation that’s fun for the whole family. Filled with holiday hits like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” you’ll meet all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Sam the Snowman, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and of course, Rudolph! The show is presented on The Schnitzer Stage at The Judy, NWCT’s new home in downtown Portland, November 25 through December 31, 2023.

“The holidays are a time when many families come together to celebrate the season and The Judy is ready to host!” says Sarah Jane Hardy, NWCT’s Artistic Director. “With the move to our new home and this delightfully festive and familiar production, we’re creating new traditions for multiple generations of Portland theater-goers.” Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer welcomes audiences into Christmastown and follows Rudolph’s origin story. Rudolph was born with a unique quality: a red nose that lights-up! Santa assures Rudolph’s parents, Donner and Mrs. Donner, that if Rudolph’s nose stops shining by the time they’re grown up, they can join Santa’s reindeer sleigh team. But Donner doesn’t want to take any chances and he decides to hide Rudolph’s nose. When their bright light is discovered during the Reindeer Games, Rudolph runs away. Maxine Nuesa is playing the title role, and she sees some of herself in Rudolph. “My ‘red-nose trait’ would be my introverted personality. I tend to find peace and recharge my energy on my own. This is completely normal, but sometimes people wrongfully judge introverts as too quiet or timid,” she says. In the musical, Rudolph returns home to discover their differences are actually their superpower! Nuesa feels the same about being an introvert. “My superpower is being a good listener. It is okay to be quiet; to listen not for the sake of responding, but to understand,” she explains. “I hope that every audience member that sees Rudolph at NWCT will be able to identify their own superpower. We all have them, and they deserve to be celebrated!”