It’s the most magical time of the year! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you may have grown up watching the classic 1964 stop-motion animation, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, on TV every year. Trishia, Andrea, and I that went from the CMC team certainly did! The incredibly talented folks at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati proudly present
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. this month at the historic Taft Theatre! We got a first glance on opening day of the show’s run to give you all the best tips and inside info, so you can get your tickets and enjoy the show.
The holiday classic soars off the screen in this 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with holiday hits like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ JR. features all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special.
Because of his 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 has belonged the whole time. When a storm threatens to keep Santa’s sleigh from taking flight, it’s up to Rudolph to save Christmas!
Ideal for ages 4+. This production runs 60 minutes without an intermission.
The holiday magic is palpable when you walk into the Taft. There is a spotlight raffle going on during the performances. There are some super awesome toys getting raffled off! Winners will be chosen the Sunday after their final show. They also had The BonBonerie Fine Pastries there, which the kids were all so excited about. The cookies all looked so beautiful and so good, and they have different options from which to choose.
It’s so exciting to see the Crown Club back in full swing! There were signs next to the merchandise table directing to the pick-up for the special goodies club members receive before the show. They cleared out the theatre pretty soon after the show ended so they could start the line for the autographs with some of the cast that is another incredible perk of this club.
One of my favorite parts of this show (and almost all of TCT’s seasons) is the diversity they use in their casting choices. Having a biracial daughter that has been coming to The Children’s Theatre’s shows at the Taft since she was five years old, seeing herself represented on stage is so incredibly important. I know it’s important for so many other families across the Tri-State that want their children to experience the arts as well. In the cast of TCT’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR., Rudolph’s dad was Black and his mom white. Also, Santa was white, but Mrs. Claus was Black! Our Photos with Santa event last year featured Black Santa, and we’ve had families reach out to us asking for us to bring it back again (we will next year!).
I have a teenager, Trishia‘s daughter (Sage) is in fifth grade, and Andrea‘s daughter (Lily) is the youngest. The love for Rudolph crosses over every generation. We saw grandparents there with their grown children and grandchildren. Little ones in the row behind us were quietly commenting on how bad they felt for Rudolph and Hermey at the beginning and then whispering throughout on how it all looked just like the TV version!
Lily said that she loved it, and Andrea said the 60-minute length was absolutely perfect for the little ones. Sage has developed a recent interest in acting and was extremely impressed after seeing her first-ever TCT show! Trishia now wants to get season passes for 2023-2024 for Sage and her and is seriously considering putting her in TCT’s Summer Camp (even though it’s a bit of a drive for them to Red Bank). Trishia was just as impressed herself during and after the show. She said to me while we walked out, “Whoever the costume designer is is extremely talented, and everything was so authentic!” She’s right; I say every time how top notch the acting, choreography, singing, costuming, and set design is with TCT’s shows – they are first-class all the way. Now, I can’t wait to watch the TV special again. This holiday show was my favorite since TCT did A Charlie Brown Christmas several years ago!
Trishia said Sage really wanted something from the merch table, and she said a combination of only having one of her three kids there and how affordable the prices were, she got her a light-up wand to enjoy! Andrea reminded me that I may not remember what it’s like to have a little one bugging you to buy stuff, but she does!! “They were super affordable. I got Lily a light-up wand, two finger puppets, and a pack of Rudolph gummies for $11, which is crazy to me because that stuff is usually so expensive. At first, I told her ‘no’ but when I saw the prices, I changed my mind!”
The Taft Theatre is located at 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer start at $10. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com or call the TCT Box Office at 513.569.8080 x10 Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to purchase tickets. Below are the remaining show times –
- Friday, December 16 at 7 PM
- Saturday, December 17 at 11 AM
- Saturday, December 17 at 2 PM
- Sunday, December 18 at 2 PM
- Monday, December 19 at 1 PM (Homeschool Show Time)
Get your tickets today for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR., and don’t miss this incredible show! You won’t regret it!
