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12/14/12
Los Angeles Theater Review: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDOORS (Falcon Theatre)
Reviews: Film/Theater - NYC, LA, SF, Chicago – Stage and Cinema
Los Angeles Theater Review: RUDOLPH THE
RED-NOSED REINDOORS (Falcon Theatre)
by Tony Frankel on December 8, 2012
in Theater-Los Angeles
RECIPE FOR A CHRISTMAS STEW
I sent this recipe to a friend, who will let us know how this Christmas Stew turned out:
This is a family favorite, cooked up every holiday season. There are a lot of ingredients, but if you start with
the basics and improvise a little, you should be fine. Even though the ingredients change every year, your
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Los Angeles Theater Review: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDOORS (Falcon Theatre)
stew should be fairly
predictable and satisfying. It changes year to year
depending on the variables: some years the stew is undoubtedly the tastiest dish on earth; other years, the
stew will ease your hunger for a holiday treat, but may make you wish for something hardier. Still, no one
to whom you introduce this stew will be so ungrateful that they will leave your stocking unstuffed.
Begin with the Troubadours (my grocer calls them Troubies). If you can’t find them locally, head to the
Falcon Theatre in Burbank. This will be your basic stock company comprised of actors, musicians, and
comedians, but don’t substitute this stock. Make sure to ask for the Troubies, because they have been wellseasoned with Commedia dell’Arte and slapstick. Don’t be concerned that most of the people in this stock
have been used year after year – they still retain their flavor of unrestrained, boundless enthusiasm and tasty
characterizations.
Next, find a story. This year, try Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer, a 1964 television special by Romeo Muller, Jr., which in turn was based on the 1949 Johnny
Marks’ song, which was based on a 1939 poem written by Marks’ brother-in-law Robert L. May (and for
your Jewish friends who may scoff at this Christmas Stew you’re concocting, remember that Mr. Marks,
who also wrote “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” was
Jewish). Remember to credit these gentlemen if you are going to use their material as a base for your stew.
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Los Angeles Theater Review: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDOORS (Falcon Theatre)
Stick to the basic story, which is actually very sweet, but not
so much that it will overpower the stew. Start with Sam the Snowman as narrator (and get the unconstrained
Paul C. Vogt, whose amiable nature and quick-wittedness are perfect for serving the tale). Add Rudolph,
using Steven Booth, who is perfectly ripe and adorable for the misfit reindeer, born with a shiny red nose to
Donner (Matt Walker) and Blitzen (Beth Kennedy). Soak Blitzen in plenty of Tab soft drink to explain
Rudolph’s malady. The best part of your stew will be the comely Molly Alvarez as Rudolph’s girlfriend
Clarice – and make sure that she whips up the entire stew with endearing choreography: It will prove to be
the most delightful aspect that will keep your guests wanting more.
Locate Kyle Nudo for that nutty elf Hermey, who wants to be a dentist,
and Mike Sulprizio for the Yukon prospector. We need them to join Rudolph when he runs away and ends
up at “The Island of Misfit Toys.” And what Christmas Stew is complete without Santa and Mrs. Claus?
See if you can get the ever-riffing Rick Batalla and Lisa Valenzuela – even if her character isn’t very welldeveloped, she will add a lot of spice when she belts out a song.
Which leads to the next step: Add some songs. Yes, Marks wrote a number of tunes for the special,
including “Silver and Gold,” “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas,” and the ever-popular titular ditty, but this is
Christmastime my friend, when we let go of the old and usher in the new. You can use snippets of these
refrains, but best to write new material. If you don’t have the time or cash to invest in new holiday songs
(and really, I wish you would unless you want to hear yet another version of “Jingle Bells” sung by the
latest American Idol winner), you can add the music of another writer or group. Since we’re using source
material from the 60’s, let’s go with the music of The Doors and call our stew Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindoors. Cute, huh?
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Los Angeles Theater Review: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDOORS (Falcon Theatre)
Now, stir the songs into your stock. By all means, keep the original
melody, but update the lyrics to fit the story. It is preferred that your lyrics are clever and funny, but we
realize this is a one-time-only recipe. In your rush to create the stew, you will find that your lyrics will suffer
by just being cute. But no one should notice since there are so many other ingredients going on. Beware of
overstuffing words into a phrase just to make it to the end rhyme – yes, it’s cheap and a timesaver in the
cooking process, but the songs will not have a lingering aftertaste.
(Here’s a hint: when you serve the stew, many of your lyrics will get lost with the loud accompaniment.
Your guests will become disengaged if they can’t taste every word. I highly recommend Eric Heinly as
Musical Director, especially if his drumming is flavored by Kevin McCourt’s keyboards, Jack Majdecki’s
guitar, and Kevin Stewart’s bass, but the balance must be leavened. If no other sound designer is available,
try John Campbell and Julie Ferrin, although they can be challenged when it comes to mixing.)
Before serving, dress up the table with Sharon McGunigle’s whimsical
costumes, ensuring that they are both a send-up and homage to the 1964 special. Garnish with snowflake
flurries (use toilet paper if need be) and a giant Abominable Snow Monster of the North. Mix for two hours
and let me know how it came out!
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Los Angeles Theater Review: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDOORS (Falcon Theatre)
Here is the letter from my friend after the stew was cooked and served:
“Well, my guests were certainly stuffed after this meal, but they all had one word to describe it: “fun.”
Nothing more, nothing less. Some felt like the songs should have been used to serve the story better, but I
did run out of time and just plopped some of them into the stew. Honestly, I think there are so many
ingredients that – even though there were standouts – nothing really sticks to your ribs. I used your story,
but I should have spent more time on the basic script – I guess I’m not as funny as I thought. Basically, it’s a
run-of-the-mill recipe which had me satisfied and wanting more at the same time. Kind of like Christmas
itself, huh? Thanks for the recipe!”
photos by Chelsea Sutton
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindoors
Troubadour Theater Company at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank
scheduled to end on January 13, 2013
for tickets, call (818) 955.8101 or visit http://www.FalconTheatre.com
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