We all have our December traditions. Burn a Yule log. St. Nick fills your wooden shows with candy. Position yourself under the mistletoe. Go to church for the first time since last December. Seriously kids, what’s a Yule log? Wooden shoes are not a good look on anyone. Aiming for that mistletoe probably means you’re less than ten minutes away from buicking all over your boss and guess what? Jesus knows you only go to church once a year; you’re not scoring any points. It’s about time shake up your ho hum December with Rudolph the Pissed-Off Reindeer.
On December 5th an amazing spin on the classic claymation television special, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer opens at the Alchemist Theatre and Lounge in Bay View. Writer and director Patrick Schmitz took his favorite Christmas story and made it a little more modern, a bit more grown up and a hell of a lot more fun.
Schmitz began his re-write about five years ago. Over time it got pushed under other papers, crumpled up in a box and it wasn’t until Schmitz rediscovered it that he began working on it again in earnest. Schmitz plays on the many loopholes in the original Rudolph story. He expanded on the back stories of several characters, updated the language and further explored the relationships between characters. It’s almost like the kids from South Park invade the North Pole. There’s even intrigue and murder. We could all use more of that in our plastic and sparkly Christmas.
Schmitz choose to take a semester off of school to work on the show. In addition to overseeing absolutely everything involved in Rudolph the Pissed-Off Reindeer, he also works full time at First Stage Children’s Theater. Schmitz broadened his casting process by inviting some of his more mature and advanced students to audition, several of whom have major roles in the production. Schmitz acknowledges that he’s “spoiled” with the number of people volunteering to be involved with the show in any capacity.
As part of the popular sketch and improv group, The Gentlemen’s Hour, Schmitz has a built in audience ready to get excited and spread word about the play. He made the very conscience decision to price his tickets at a moderate $8. At the time of publication, it looks like the entire show could completely sell out. Grab your tickets yesterday.
The show opens December 5 and runs through December 20. For more information about Rudolph the Pissed-Off Reindeer, check out www.alchemisttheatre.com. Alchemist Theatre is located in Bay View at 2569 S Kinnickinnic.
View the photoalbum! (Photography by April Heding)