Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
November 20 – December 27, 2026
Based on the animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” adapted from the story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks. Music and Lyrics by Johnny Marks. Script Adaptation by Robert Penola. Originally produced, directed, and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage. Arrangements by Timothy Splain. Orchestrations by William C. White.
Directed by Sandy Boren-Barrett
A holiday story that soars!
Rudolph is flying back onto our stage for the holiday season! With 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 all along. When a storm threatens Santa’s sleigh from taking off, it’s up to Rudolph to save Christmas and change his story!
Based on the classic television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is filled with classic songs, joyful humor, and heartwarming acts of bravery! Join us this holiday season to watch as Rudolph discovers that sometimes being a ‘misfit’ is the most magical thing of all!
Recommended for: All Ages
Location: Mainstage Theatre
Show Run Time: 75 Minutes with a brief intermission
Resource Guide: Coming soon!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all related elements © and TM under license to Character Arts, LLC.
Show Calendar
Single Ticket Prices
- Ages 2-17: $26
- Ages 60+: $28
- Adults: $30
- Lap pass age 3 and under: $5
*All listed pricing includes processing fees.
Save with season tickets
A variety of ticket packages to fit everyone’s budget and lifestyle!
Accessibility
We believe that every individual should be able to access the joy, wonder, and benefits of participation in the theatre arts.
The Cast
Check back closer to Opening Night for a complete list!
CASH BEARD
Elf, Airplane & Ensemble
LOGAN BITZ
Coach Comet & Yukon Cornelius
JACK BONKO
Blitzen, Bumble Puppet, Ensemble, & U/S Sam & Santa
FORD BRADSHAW
Donner
ZANDER BRAND
Elf & Ensemble
GRETCHEN EMO
Mrs. Claus
CORA FREEMAN
Hermey
DAVID GAMACHE
Sam The Snowman
HENRY HALVERSON
U/S Rudolph, Hermey & Boss Elf
NATALIE HENDLIN
Elf & Ensemble
ISAAC HOFFMAN
Elf & Ensemble
MADELINE KALEY
Elf & Ensemble
JOSHUA LARSON
Santa
TAKELL LEE
U/S Fireball, Donner & Misfit Toys
AIRON MANSON
Bird That Swims, Ensemble &U/S Mrs. Donner
GEORGIE MASON
Charlie In The Box, Bumble, Ensemble
MAEVE MCAULIFF
Elf, Dolly & Ensemble
EVELYN MONSON
Elf & Ensemble
VIVIAN NIELSEN
Spotted Elephant & Ensemble
ZOLA RENFROE
Mrs Donner, U/S Clarice
MATTHEW SMITH
Reindeer, Misfit Cowboy, Ensemble & U/S Yukon & Comet
MADDOX TABALBA
Boss Elf
MADELYN TAX
U/S Mrs. Claus & Ensemble
LAYLA TRAUFLER
Clarice
JENALIA VALERIO
Elf & Ensemble
DONOVAN WATTS
Fireball, Toy Train & Ensemble
GEORGE WELLENS
Rudolph
HANK WHINNERY
Aviator Elf & Ensemble
The Creative Team
- RTISTIC DIRECTOR & DIRECTOR – Sandy Boren-Barrett
- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Matt Ouren
- MUSIC DIRECTOR -Sarah Hohenstein Burk
- CHOREOGRAPHER – Krysti Wiita
- ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER – Madelyn Tax
- SET DESIGNER & SOUND DESIGNER – Gretchen Katt
- PROP DESIGNER & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – Jim Hibbeler
- LIGHTING DESIGNER – Karin Olson
- COSTUME BUILD & WARDROBE SUPERVISOR – Christa Ludwig
- PRODUCTION MANAGER – Melanie Salmon-Peterson
- STAGE MANAGER – Emily Sullivan
- ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS – Hailey Ballard & Neil Standerwick
- SOUND BOARD OPERATOR – Gretchen Katt
- PUPPET CONSULTANT & CHOREORGRAPHY – David Gamache
- LIGHT BOARD OPERATORS – Elliott Basquill & George Settergren
- FOLLOW SPOT OPERATORS – Sophia Eibon & Kennedy Sydness
- COSTUME CREW – Bonnie Ray & Nova Strong
- STITCHERS – K Mielke
- SCENIC ARTIST – Yvonne Ring, Eme Steinbeck
- MASTER ELECTRICIAN – Lucas Martin, Sam Brown
- ELECTRICIANS – Chase Foster-Adams, Sam Brown, Lane Bode, Bevibel Harvey, Ileri Okikiolu, Michael Remacul
- VOLUNTEERS – Jenny Brown, Scott Brown, Michelle Carlson, Haley Talatinick, Marianne Wolfe, John Flanagan Yurek
Check back closer to Opening Night for a complete list!
Creative Team Bios
Sandy Boren-Barrett
Director
Sandy Boren-Barrett – Sandy has been with Stages Theatre Company (STC) since 1990, allowing her to pursue her passion for theatre production and education, along with community building theatre serving young audiences. During her time in leadership STC has been awarded National recognition with the 2017 Harold Oaks Award for Innovative Contributions to the Field of Theatre for Young Audiences, as well as the 2018 – 50/50 Applause Award for promoting gender equity with playwrights. STC’s 2019-2020 season selection was highlighted in TYA Today Magazine as an example of “a promising increase in representation specifically in works that feature the stories of contemporary young people of color”. Sandy led an international performance tour and artistic exchange with “the egg Theatre, the Young Peoples Theatre of Theatre Royal” in Bath England. Collaboration is at the core of her work, and as an accomplished director has directed over 75 productions at STC which include many new works, dance-inspired productions, and world premieres. She directed the local premier, mainstage production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the musical which remains the highest attended production at Stages Theatre Company. Sandy remains on the Executive Committee, as former chair of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) and worked with Racially Conscious Collaboration (RCC) to gain her certification in racial equity organizational leadership.
Sarah Hohenstein Burk
Music Director
Sarah Hohenstein Burk is a performer and recording artist on keyboard, violin, vocals and percussion, Sarah Hohenstein Burk has toured the U.S., Europe and the Middle East with a variety of ensembles and theatre troupes. Ongoing endeavors include directing and performing with her jazz trio, as well as dates with various jazz, big band, R&B, gospel, classical chamber, international dance and variety ensembles. She has played the roles of music director, conductor, composer, instrumentalist and arranger in countless theatre productions and is actively involved in the development and production of new works at Stages Theatre Company, the History Theatre, Theater Latté Da and Green T Productions.
Krysti Wiita Phillips
Choreographer
Krysti Wiita Phillips loves being back with the Stages Theatre Company Family! After working alongside Michael Matthew Ferrell, she is honored to step into the choreographer position. She has worked on Stage’s Tuck Everlasting, Elf the Musical, Jr. (2021 & 2019), Mary Poppins, and Beauty & the Beast. Krysti has also worked at many theatres around the twin cities including Theatre Latte Da, Children’s Theatre Company, Artistry, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, Duluth Playhouse, GREAT Theatre, and Eagan Community Theater. She has also had the joy of working with Hennepin Theatre Trust’s SpotLight Awards and high schools around the area. Krysti is extremely grateful to her husband and daughter, Jory and Delaney, and her family for all of their love and support.
Robert May
Author
Robert May – Robert was born on July 27, 1905 in Indiantown, Illinois, USA. He was a writer, known for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (2025).
Johnny Marks
Music and Lyrics
Johnny Marks – Dubbed “Mr. Christmas of the music world,” songwriter and composer Johnny Marks, (1909–1985) brought the world such yuletide favorites as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.”1 But, most notable was a little ditty called “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Robert Penola
Playwright
Robert Penola – Robert is an award-winning playwright, lyricist, and theatre maker with more than 25 years in the entertainment industry. After touring internationally as a performer, he trained as a lyricist at the prestigious BMI Lehman-Engel Musical Theatre Workshop in New York. He has written numerous stage adaptations of children’s stories and created productions for theatres, cruise lines, and theme parks, including the stage musical adaptation of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
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