Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Script Adaptation by Robert Penola
Music and Lyrics by Johnny Marks
Based on the animated television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (adapted from a story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks) and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage with scenic/puppet by Brandon Kirkham.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Run time: 75 minutes including one 15 minute intermission
Thank you to our sponsors!
Regional Arts and Culture Council
Kafoury McDougal: Lawyers for the People
Oregon Arts Commission
Oregon Cultural Trust
Pacific Office Automation
NWCT’s Donor Families
Media sponsors:
PDX Parent
The Oregonian/Oregon Live
Cast
RUDOLPH: Maxine Nuesa, Taylor Dearinger (swing)
HERMEY: Mira Herman, Taylor Dearinger (swing)
YUKON CORNELIUS: Kevin-Michael Moore
CHARLIE IN A BOX, BOSS ELF: Kristin (Robinson) Jeffrey
MRS. CLAUS, ENS: Brandy Schnaars
SANTA, MOONRACER: Samson Syharath
SAM THE SNOWMAN: Eric Zulu, Stella Mackay
CLARICE, ENS: Jayna Cloud, Ingrid O’Boyle Rosenau (swing)
FIREBALL/ENS: Yuyoun Choi, Ingrid O’Boyle Rosenau (swing)
MR. DONNER/ENS: Orie Zadok, Taylor Putzek (swing)
MRS. DONNER/ENS: Emmylou Blasengame, Taylor Putzek (swing)
ENSEMBLE: Tilly Mansfield, Nuala Bastable
Creative Team
DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER: Sarah Jane Hardy
ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY: Clara-Liis Hillier
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Ezra Weiss
SCENIC, PUPPET & PROPERTIES DESIGNER: John Ellingson
COSTUME DESIGNERS: Nancy Christy & John Ellingson
WIG DESIGNER: Signe Larson
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Paul Brown
SOUND DESIGNER: Henry Martin
STAGE MANAGER: Roger Monroe
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Max O’Hare
Production & Support
BOARD OPERATOR: Henry Martin
FOLLOWSPOT OP: Emma Sanders
BACKSTAGE CREW: Wren Harmon, Flip Chen, Willa Ramsey
MASTER CARPENTER: Paul Brown
BUILDERS: Drew Havner, Henry Martin, Max O’Hare, Paul Brown, Roger Monroe, Steve Hambrick
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Steve Hambrick
COSTUME SHOP MANAGER: Claudia La Rue
STITCHERS: Tevis Hockenbury, Stephanie Stanton
PHOTOGRAPHY: David Kinder
GRAPHIC DESIGN: SUCHa Production
Musical Numbers
A Holly Jolly Christmas: SAM THE SNOWMAN, ENSEMBLE
Jingle, Jingle, Jingle: SANTA, BABY RUDOLPH, DONNERS
When Santa Claus Get Your Letter: ELF ENSEMBLE
There’s Always Tomorrow: CLARICE, ENSEMBLE
We Are Santa’s Elves: ELF ENSEMBLE
We’re a Couple of Misfits: HERMEY, RUDOLPH
Fame and Fortune: YUKON, HERMEY, RUDOLPH
Silver and Gold: SAM THE SNOWMAN, ENSEMBLE
The Most Wonderful Day of the Year (The Island of Misfit Toys): MISFIT TOYS
There’s Always Tomorrow (Reprise): RUDOLPH
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: SANTA, MRS. CLAUS, ELVES
We Are Santa’s Elves (Reprise): Ensemble
A Holly Jolly Christmas (Reprise): FULL CAST
A Merry, Merry Christmas to You: SANTA, RUDOLPH, MISFIT TOYS
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: FULL CAST
Meet the Cast
Brandy Schnaars (Mrs. Clause, Ensemble) returned to the stage two years ago after a very long break.
Audiences might recognize her from performances at Funhouse Lounge, Oregon Children’s Theatre, and other local community theaters. Most recently, she had the joy of playing Toad here at NWCT.
Brandy is thrilled to be part of this production and to work alongside such a talented group of people.
Brandy loves the joy of performing in holiday shows, especially for those who are coming to the theater for their very first time.
Emmylou Blasengame (Mrs. Donner, Ensemble) is making her NWCT Mainstage debut in Rudolph! She started performing at 6 years old when she was cast in the title role in Matilda.
“I was scared that I wouldn’t fit in because I was so young, but I put myself out there and I got Matilda!”
Other stage credits include Into The Woods, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and Alice In Wonderland.
Her favorite holiday traditions are baking and cooking with her family and friends along with doing fun activities in the snow!
Eric Zulu (Sam the Snowman) can’t wait to revise the hard work and dedication that went into last season’s Rudolph after this busy and rewarding year! Rudolph is all about the friends who accept us as we are, never hiding who you are, and refusing to change for others to try and fit in. “Just like Rudolph, be yourself, and true friends will find you.”
Every year, Eric takes a long holiday road trip from Chicago to Louisiana to see his dad’s family. “He can tell amazing – if untrue – stories, entertaining us for hours!”
Meanwhile, when school and work get snowed out, Eric’s got the perfect day planned: He recommends playing Skyrim on Playstation, and watching 80s horror movies with Kaylen and his snakes, Kali and Harley!
Ingrid O’Boyle Rosenau (Clarice/Fireball Swing) returns to the NWCT Mainstage after appearing in last season’s Rudolph as well as A Year With Frog and Toad (Bird and Mouse).
Ingrid has also appeared in Company (Amy) and Crazy for You (Tess) and is a part of NWCT’s Catalyst Marketing Committee. She loves the challenge of being a swing in Rudolph because “everyone knows that it will 100% work out in the end!”
Ingrid has been seeing shows at NWCT since she was three years old, and she enjoys sharing the stage with actors whom she watched on stage as a child. “It’s all very full circle!”
Jayna Cloud (Clarice, Ensemble) is a senior at Tigard High School where she has appeared in many shows, including Pamela in Head Over Heels, Pearl in SpongeBob the Musical, and others! This is Jayna’s third Mainstage show and her second year in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with NWCT.
Last spring, Jayna played Green Dog in NWCT’s Go, Dog, Go! She has also been seen in Catalyst’s Cinderella, Crazy for You and A Chorus Line.
Jayna loves her family’s tradition of opening a present on Christmas Eve to find a new cozy pair of pajamas to sleep in for the night and wear long into Christmas day.
Kevin-Michael Moore (Yukon Cornelius, Coach Comet) has performed in over 20 NWCT Mainstage productions! Kevin appeared in last season’s Rudolph as well as as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda (Drammy nomination for Best Actor) and Sharktooth in How I Became a Pirate (Drammy winner for Best Supporting Actor).
In his 40+ year career, Kevin has performed in hundreds of plays and dozens of television shows and films. He has taught thousands of kids in NWCT scholastic programs and is known by many of his students as Professor Momo.
Among his many credits is NWCT’s 2018 holiday show, Peter Pan. “While playing Smee, I was tasked to improvise with the audience,” Kevin-Michael recalls. “Making jokes at the dads’ expense and playing with adorable babies remain some of my favorite memories.”
Kristin (Robinson) Jeffrey (Charlie-in-the-Box, Boss Elf) is ready for some good old-fashioned holiday fun!
“As a child, I used to watch Rudolph on TV every holiday,” Kristin shares. “I love the joy it brings to this magical season!”
Rudolph is Kristin’s fifth production with NWCT after appearing in last year’s Rudolph! Previously, she appeared as the spirited, fun-loving Piggie in Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” She has especially wonderful memories around another NWCT holiday show, 2019’s Matilda.
“It was my introduction to these talented young performers, right here in my city, doing professional and exciting work,” she recalls.
Kristin received her best gift ever on her 28th birthday. “I was a brand new mommy of a three-month old and was extremely exhausted!” she says. “I asked for five consecutive hours of sleep, so my mom watched my baby and got me a room at the Oregon coast.”
Kristin is a newlywed this year! She is back visiting from her new home in Roanoke, Virginia where she’s living with her new husband and is looking forward to making new holiday memories with him in the upcoming years.
Maxine Nuesa (Rudolph) is thrilled to return to the title role of Rudolph!
Recent credits include Fiddler On the Roof at Broadway Rose Theater Company (Russian/Bottle Dancer), Newsies Jr. at NWCT (Medda Larkin), and The Addams Family at Lovegood Performing Arts Company (Alice Beineke).
Maxine loves bringing magic to youth in the Portland area during the holidays. “It makes me happy to think that Rudolph might be the first ever show a child sees. Watching live theater is a special experience. You get to hear voices and see energetic dances in real time.”
Mira Herman (Hermey) is so excited to make her Mainstage debut! At NWCT, Mira performed in the Anastasia Summer Intensive. Elsewhere, some of Mira’s favorite roles include Bruce in Matilda the Musical and Mrs. Mayor in Seussical Jr.
Mira loves her family’s annual tradition of making a beef Wellington for New Years Eve. “It is very challenging, but it always tastes great and is so fun to do as a group!”
If Mira could invent a new holiday, she would create a holiday “where everyone has to bake their favorite dessert and then come together to try them out!”
Nuala Bastable (Ensemble) is making her NWCT Mainstage debut! She recently did her first NWCT show, Newsies, through the Catalyst program.
Nuala loves Christmas and spends her snow days sledding and watching “The Grinch”.
If Nuala could invent a holiday, it would be a community day in which everyone got a day off from school or work and was required to do five hours of service for a local nonprofit. “I think a lot of people don’t realize how incredible it would be if even only half the world made the choice to help out.”
Orie Zadok (Mr. Donner, Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his NWCT Mainstage debut! Previously, Orie played Oliver Warbucks in Catalysts’ production of Annie Jr.
Outside of NWCT, Orie has appeared in shows at the Summer Broadway Rose Teen Camp and Southwest Stageworks at Ida B. Wells High School.
Orie loves telling stories for young audiences and feeling all of their positive and engaged energy. His favorite part of being in a show during the holiday season is performing holiday songs. “I love being so festive with a talented and supportive cast!”
Samson Syharath (Santa, Moonracer) is a Laotian-American artist, educator, and content creator based in Portland. He previously appeared in NWCT’s Tenali and The Jungle Book. He is the Co-founder and Managing Artistic Director of Theatre Diaspora.
Samson loves singing holiday songs in harmony with his castmates and performing for youth audiences. “They aren’t afraid to react loudly.”
Learn more about Samson at samsonsyharath.com.
Stella MacKay (Sam the Snowman) is thrilled to be back as Sam the Snowman after appearing in last season’s production of Rudolph! She was most recently seen as Snail in A Year with Frog and Toad on Northwest Children’s Theaters Mainstage in the spring.
Stella is 17 years old and trains with NWCT’s Catalyst Youth Program.
Some of her past favorite roles include Michael in Elf, Miss Honey in Matilda, and a Squirelle in Elephant and Piggie.
She wants to thank everyone in the cast and crew for being a delight to work with.
Her favorite holiday activity? “Cutting, baking, and frosting my super-grammies gingerbread man cookies with my family.”
Taylor Dearinger (Rudolph/Hermey Swing) is 16 years old and has been dancing since she was 3 and doing theater since she was 9. Rudolph will be her 35th show!
Taylor has worked with many theater companies but says that NWCT will always remain her favorite. “All the directors are so talented and kind, and the casts are always full of the nicest people ever!”
Taylor’s favorite past roles include Rudolph/Hermey swing in last season’s Rudolph, Sharpay in High School Musical, and Mrs Wormwood in Matilda (“Outstanding Performance” winner).
In her early performing days, Taylor always looked up to the “older kids” in the cast. Now one of the older kids herself, Taylor hopes to be a role model for all young kids who want to perform!
Taylor Putzek (Mr. and Mrs. Donner Swing) made her Mainstage debut in this spring’s
Go Dog, Go! as Purple Dog. She has also appeared in Catalyst’s presentations of Annie Jr.(Grace), Anastasia (Lilly), Crazy for You (Bela Zangler) and The Wardrobe (Elizabeth, Nell, Tobias, Friend One).
Additionally, Taylor recently performed in Mamma Mia at Beaverton High School as Rosie.
She loves performing for youth audiences because of the magic that they bring to the theater. “They come in with the mindset that everything is possible, and they bring so much imagination and creativity. They become a part of the story, and it is so much fun to be a part of the experience.”
Tilly Mansfield (Ensemble) is making her NWCT Mainstage debut! She joined Catalyst in the fall of 2023 and has LOVED being a part of this welcoming and supportive community. “I feel so at home here!”
With Catalyst, Tilly performed in Annie Jr., The Wardrobe and Newsies Jr.
If Tilly could invent a holiday, it would be a day to celebrate foods around the world. “I love trying new foods and drinks, and I think it would be fun for many people to experience.”
Yuyoun Choi (Fireball, Ensemble) is so excited to join this year’s cast of Rudolph!
Recently, Yuyoun played Anthony in Sweeney Todd at STAGES and Motel in Fiddler on the Roof at Broadway Rose.
At his high school, he played Laurie in Little Women, and he’ll appear as Warner in Legally Blonde this spring.
Yuyoun is so grateful for this opportunity to be in a holiday show, and he is excited to learn and grow in this show. “Doing a Christmas show just enhances the holiday spirit!”
All youth performers in Rudolph are part of Catalyst: NWCT’s Youth Company for ages 12-18.
Click here to learn how you can get involved with Catalyst!
Meet the Creative Team
Sarah Jane Hardy (Director) loves creating live theater for children because of all the amazing artists she gets to collaborate with, and because children are such great audiences! As Artistic Director of NWCT, Sarah Jane has directed and choreographed many Mainstage productions including Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In a Play!”, Matilda, Mary Poppins, Chitra: The Girl Prince and many more.
“The holidays are a time when many families come together to celebrate the season. Thank you for including us in your plans! With the move to our new home (The Judy) and this delightfully festive and familiar production, we’re hoping to create new traditions for multiple generations of Portland theater-goers.”
Sarah Jane rarely bakes, but every year she makes a batch of giant cinnamon rolls over the holidays. When it’s snowing outside, she likes to take a walk (if it’s not too icy!) and then cozy up and watch British mysteries on TV.
Ezra Weiss (Music Director) began working in theatre when he was 10 years old, and he’s been music directing NWCT shows for over twenty years. Favorites include Crazy for You, Seussical, and Matilda the Musical.
Ezra has written Alice in Wonderland, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, and Cinderella for NWCT, and he is currently composing the music to The Golem’s Gift.
Ezra has also been active as a jazz musician, leading bands at festivals and clubs around the U.S., including numerous week-long engagements at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club. He has released eight albums as a bandleader, has been listed in DownBeat Critics polls, and has received the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award three times.
Ezra loves doing theater for young audiences: “I love the opportunity to introduce kids to theatre and see them light up the way I did seeing shows as a kid.”
And if Ezra could invent a new holiday? It would definitely be Dog Appreciation Day!
John Ellingson (Scenic, Puppet, Properties, and Costume Designer) is Northwest Children’s Theater’s Associate Artistic Director. He’s been designing sets and props for NWCT for more than 10 years.
John’s designs have won multiple awards, including Drammys for he BFG (2013) and James and the Giant Peach (2014). In 2015, he designed the set for NWCT’s Mary Poppins, which won both the Drammy and Portland Area Musical Theater Awards for Outstanding Set Design—the PAMTAs also awarded John’s prop design for the same production.
His proudest design achievements include Matilda the Musical, The Cat in the Hat, James and the Giant Peach, Elephant and Piggie’s: “We Are in a Play!”, and The Little Mermaid.
John studied puppetry in the U.K after being the recipient of the Portland Civic Theater Guild’s Leslie O. Fulton Fellowship which led to creating NWCT’s Starling series, for which he designed and fabricated over 50 original puppets, and took home another Drammy for outstanding puppetry.
Nancy Christy (Costume Designer) has been working at NWCT for 14 years. She is thrilled to be back making costumes for live theater. What could be more fun? She has designed shows for the Mainstage, most recently, How I Became A Pirate. She also collaborates on the design and construction of costumes for NWCT’s Catalyst program.
Nancy loves working at NWCT because she gets to collaborate with so many fun, creative people.
Signe Larsen (Wig Designer) is happy to be joining her Rudolph cohorts by lending her hand to the wigs for this delightful show! Last seen as Mrs. Claus/King Moonracer in the 2023 production, Signe is no stranger to the NWCT stage. She’s been doing MainStage shows since 1999! You may have also seen her recently as Mrs Corey/Ms. Andrews in Mary Poppins, or The Fairy Godmother in Ez Weiss’s jazz Cinderella. When not onstage she lends her hand to the world of costuming, puppetry, and special effects makeup. Signe is also a Resident Artist at Bag&Baggage Theatre in Hillsboro, where you can see her Costume Designs this winter in Hard-Boiled Eggnog: a Christmas Mystery!
Paul Brown (Lighting Designer & Master Carpenter) has been with NWCT for more than 20 years! Past holiday show highlights include dancing onstage with his fellow pirates in Peter Pan.
In the wintertime, Paul enjoys driving around with his family to see the holiday lights and decorations. He also likes to stand outside and listen to the quiet hush of snowfall.
Paul’s first bike was the best gift he ever received. “Presents didn’t get any bigger or better than that!” he remembers.
Paul would like to thank his wife. “We make each other laugh every day, and appreciate each other’s weird!” he says.
Henry Martin (Sound Designer & Board Operator) has been working with NWCT since he was a little kid. Most recently, you may have seen him as Cowboy Hank in The Halloween Ball and flinging cow patties in another alumni show, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.
Outside of the theater, Henry has many hobbies, including drawing, reading, playing video games, watching sports and playing with his dog, Peach.
Roger Monroe (Stage Manager) can’t wait to bring back the joy of a public holiday show! “I love the sense of comradery developed from a production with a long run like this one,” he shares. Rudolph marks Roger’s 25th year with NWCT.
Fun Facts: Every year, Roger looks forward to a “first snow” snowball fight. His favorite wintertime treat is eggnog. He also enjoys going outside and listening to the quiet only snow can bring.
Max O’Hare (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited for another holiday show at NWCT!
Currently NWCT’s Production Coordinator, Max was the stage manager for Go, Dog, Go, The Halloween Ball and for the company’s first-ever alumni show, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Memorable NWCT performing credits include Snake in The Little Prince, Starling in The Starlings Present: Dinosaurs! and Friar Tuck in Robin Hood.
Max recently graduated from Wesleyan University with a double major in the College of Social Studies and Theater. While at Wesleyan, he appeared as Malvolio in Twelfth Night and as the title character in Everybody.
