Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, national tour at the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre, Boston, through December 14. 866-348-9738 or citicenter.org
Diversity is flying high in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical,' now in a luminous national tour at the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre. Adapted by Robert Penola from the famed Rankin/Bass television special- celebrating its 50th anniversary this very week, the musical version finds so-called 'misfits' taking center stage in three forms-the bullied title buck, an atypical elf Hermey and the unusual homeless presents of the Island of Misfit Toys. At Tuesday's opening, children at the Shubert were clearly taken with director/choreographer Dana Solimando's fast-paced (90 minutes including intermission) and highly colorful staging, while parents and other adult audience members could also find a valuable opportunity for sharing the feel-good story and score's embrace of inclusion and understanding with younger theatergoers.
Even the original story and score speak to that inclusion as both Robert L. May-who wrote the original story (1939) - and his brother-in-law Johnny Marks-who wrote the music and lyrics -were Jewish. In fact, then Montgomery Ward employee May- asked to write a booklet to appeal to shoppers- created Rudolph as "an underdog, a loser yet triumphant in the end," and Marks composed tuneful holiday standards. In earlier days, the reindeer's very shiny nose would have been a sign of alcoholism or heavy drinking; nowadays its bright red color becomes an enduring metaphor-an excuse for bullying and intolerance in the early going and an opportunity for recognizing individual worth and diversity at the close of the show.
Solidarity and understanding do finally trump initial bullying and bigotry. The reindeer coach insists that "no doe of mine will be seen with a red-nosed reindeer" and Boss Elf berates Hermey for being more interested in dentistry than making toys. Eventually the three forms of 'misfits' reach real acceptance and respect- Rudolph of course leading Santa's sleigh, Hermey obtaining the promise of a dentist shop after Christmas and the Island toys-particularly a cowboy riding an ostrich - finding homes. This perfect fit production smartly ties in with the Shine Bright social media campaign, a celebration of uniqueness championed by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. The Pacer.org website features information about such key LGBT organizations as the Trevor Project and GLSEN. The Center itself is asking parents to use the show to teach their children about the importance of inclusion and the damaging effect of bullying.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical" makes this lesson visually and musically appealing. Lexy Baeza has both the touching vulnerability and winning charm of the title hero. All audience members will enjoy Rudolph's brief flying a la Peter Pan (both director Solimando and Baeza boast "Peter Pan" credits). Her singing with Wesley Edwards as Hermey on the diversity anthem-like "We're a Couple of Misfits" is properly easy-going and natural. Edwards is a high-energy standout as Hermey. He delivers the would be dentist's repeated assertions about not being a nitwit and defense of bullied newfound friend Rudolph with great spirit. Nick Waaland has the right gruff-voiced vitality as Yukon Cornelius.
Hailey Tweter brings good feeling to young doe Clarice's optimistic number "There's Always Tomorrow." Jason Michael Hammond catches the offbeat nonchalance of the show's atypically thin Santa. Ryan Coon has the right understatement as narrating Sam the Snowman. A solid ensemble includes smooth dance sequences-with elves even briefly jump-roping with lengthy tinsel. Special credit goes to Hard Drive Productions handsome reindeer and elf costumes as well as owl,St. Bernard and other animal puppets and Jean-Yves Tesser's vivid snow storm evoking lighting.
Yukon Cornelius searches for gold and silver but ultimately finds that friends like Rudolph and Hermey are the most precious valuables of all. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical"'s own truest treasure is a disarmingly simple message of inclusion.