Holding on to my 7-year-old’s magical little kid years, I couldn’t shake last winter’s FOMO from hearing friends rave about Northwest Children’s Theater’s (NWCT) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This year, the show was a must on my family’s holiday activity list.
The Judy was buzzing with festive spirit as soon as we arrived. While my daughter skewed towards the older end of kid attendees, she sensed the palpable excitement amongst everyone. NWCT has a magical way of creating a kid-friendly live theater experience. Staff and actors are incredibly welcoming. The theater is cozy — the show we attended was sold out, yet it didn’t feel too crowded. There’s tons of kid-centric touches like bench seating, boosters, bathroom step stools, and a variety of concessions that can be consumed in the theater including a special “Holiday Menu.” Ushers passed out red “Rudolph nose” dot stickers for attendees to adorn.
I may or may not have become a little verklempt when children gleefully gasped at seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus at the beginning of the show. My family was captivated by the expressive actors, delightful singing and choreography, as well as the pretty set with soft colors and sparkly snowflakes.
Our favorite moment was when Yukon Cornelius broke the fourth wall, exclaiming, “scooch!” as he, Rudolph, and Hermey hilariously climbed through the audience. Roars of laughter erupted. This entertaining and joy-filled scene was perfectly timed right before a 15 minute intermission.
The immersive production was wonderfully engaging: my husband and I laughed, toddlers cheered. I even caught my shy child merrily singing as the cast conducted a full-theater sing-a-long at the end!
This musical adaptation of a beloved holiday story was a beautifully wholesome way to get into the holiday spirit. We left with smiles on our faces and our hearts filled with joy.
If You Go
Where: The Stage at the Judy; 1000 SW Broadway, T-100
When: Now through December 29; shows are at 11 am and 2:30 pm
Admission: Tickets are $30 for youth; $40 for adults; infants under 1 are free
Ages: Most enjoyed by ages 3 and up
Run time: Approximately 75 minutes, with one, 15-minute intermission
Pro Tips for a Happy Outing
Get there early! Parking is available in an attached garage (or street parking). Seating is general admission. Grab a booster (if needed), snag your seats, then head to the lobby for the bathroom, snacks and a chance to wiggle.
Stay until the end! cast members filled the lobby for greetings and photos — an extra fun bonus!
- A Heart-Warming and Full-of-Laughs Time at Rudolph - December 8, 2024