Center for Puppetry Arts Prepares for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™

LIVE Musical Premiere of Beloved Holiday TV Classic Opens in Atlanta on November 18

Christmas is in the air at the Center for Puppetry Arts! Preparations for its new upcoming holiday show, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™, have been in the works since earlier this year. Adapted and directed by the Center’s Artistic Director, Jon Ludwig, the production is based on the beloved 1964 stop-motion animated special, and provides the audience with the opportunity to experience the timeless tale of Rudolph and his misfit friends in a whole new way: live on stage! Opening on November 18, Ludwig’s adaptation for the puppet stage faithfully embraces the original and will include all of the beloved characters such as Hermey, the elf who is an aspiring dentist, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snow Monster. The Center is honored to work with Character Arts LLC to debut the first licensed stage production of this holiday classic.

“The story of Rudolph has endured because it talks of self-acceptance, which everyone is looking for,” says Ludwig on the universal appeal of this story. “It’s a classic tale of self-discovery and a true ‘growing-up’ story. Rudolph and Hermey are misfits among misfits, but in the end, their non-conformities are what make them so valuable. I know that just as I was touched so deeply by the original production back in 1964, we can reach many, young and old, through the magic of this great story told within the imaginative medium of live puppet theater.”

The Center’s production team is heading up the monumental task of recreating one of the world’s most treasured holiday classics. The Puppet Building Shop has become a veritable “Santa’s Workshop,” as the team works to design and build the approximately 60 puppets that will appear on stage. Adapting such memorable characters to the puppet stage is not something the team takes lightly; Rudolph is already being recognized as the most “measured” show the Center has ever produced, as meticulous attention is paid to details such as replicating appropriate scale in the production. In order to be as true to the original as possible, Resident Puppet Designer/Builder Jason von Hinezmeyer has watched the original 1964 movie more than 200 times, much of it frame by frame.

As Rudolph production flies along, the excitement at the Center continues to build as the timeless tale comes to life. “Dedicated management of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ and The Island of Misfit Toys™ has always been at the core of Character Arts operations,” said Jonathan Flom, the principal of Character Arts LLC who manages the rights of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ brand. “We can think of no better stewards than the Center for Puppetry Arts and are thrilled to have them help us bring this beloved story to a whole new audience. We are extremely excited by the Center’s production and can’t wait to see this story come to life.”

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will run November 18 – January 2, 2010 at the following times:

· Nov 18 – 24: Tues – Fri @ 10am & 11:30am; Sat @ 11am, 1pm, & 3pm; Sun @ 1pm & 3pm
· Nov 26 – 28: Fri @ 11am, 1pm, & 7pm; Sat @ 11am, 1pm, & 3pm; Sun @ 1pm & 3pm
· Nov 30 – Dec 19: Tues – Fri @ 10am & 11:30am; Sat @ 11am, 1pm, & 3pm; Sun @ 1pm & 3pm
· Dec 21 – 26: Tues – Fri @ 10am, 12pm, & 2pm; Sun @ 1pm & 3pm
· Dec 28 – Jan 2: Tues – Fri @ 10am & 12pm; Sun @ 1pm & 3pm
· CENTER CLOSED: Nov 25 (Thanksgiving Day), Dec 25 (Christmas Day), & Jan 1 (New Year’s Day)

Create-A-Puppet Workshop

Included in the ticket cost is admission to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop, where visitors can experience the thrill of puppetry by creating their own Flying Rudolph Rod Puppet or pick up a Create-A-Puppet To-Go Kit to continue the fun at home!

TICKETING Tickets for patrons two and older are $16.00 ($14.82 + tax) and include admission to the performance, Create-A-Puppet Workshop (or Create-A-Puppet To-Go Kit), and all museum exhibits. Membership and group rates are available. ORDER TICKETS ONLINE AT WWW.PUPPET.ORG OR CALL THE TICKET SALES OFFICE AT: 404-873-3391. Make your reservations for this special holiday show today!
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