NE musical theater group delivers holiday family fare
by Dusten Gambrell, Reporter

   Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer opens on NE Campus tonight.
   The play includes students from a music theater workshop class and is directed by Susan Mills Pollster, who also choreographed the production.
   Regi Rangel plays Rudolph; Jaime Rivera, Santa; Lindsey Garrett, Mrs. Santa; Esther Neff and Jason MacLean, two elves, and Greg Rosas, Sidney the reindeer.
   “The play contains a lot of dancing and singing and is very upbeat,” Garrett said.
   Most actors agree Rudolph is a children’s play, but this production has added humor for adult audiences.
   “The play is mostly for children, with some adult humor, but we added two matinees for mainly children audiences,” Rangel said.
Pollster said, “The play is appealing to children of all ages.”
   The story is the basic Rudolph with a few changes.
  “New characters, such as Sidney, were added; Rudolph’s parents aren’t present, and Rudolph is on his own for most of the story,” Rangel said.
   The story is about friendship and acceptance. Although he is different, the other reindeer begin to like Rudolph because he has a talent that no one else has.
   “The story of the production is accepting people even though they’re different,” Neff said.
   “The costumes will be wild and cartoony, with lots of bright colors,” she added.
   The cast is excited about the costumes for this production.
   “The reindeer costumes are from a previous production from Casa Manana and are supposed to be rocking,” Rosas said.
   Rudolph was chosen for the class over other possible Christmas-themed plays because they required too many children actors, who were not available, Pollster said.
   Students from Pollster’s musical theater class are actors for the play, but they had to audition for specific parts in the production.
   “Singing and line reading were used to find parts for the play,” Neff said.
Rangel joked about her selection as Rudolph.
   “I guess I was the best man for the job,” she said.
   Lindy Cabe and Joel Farrell adapted the original story by John Marks. Music is by Alaine Davidson with technical direction by Jimmy McDowell. Laura Mahon did lighting and costumes.
   Performances will be in the NE Playhouse Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m., Thursday at 2 and 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.
   The play is free to TCC students, faculty and staff, $3 for other students and senior citizens and $5 for general public.
   Reserved seating is available by calling the box office at 817-515-6687 or e-mailing neplayhouse @tccd.edu.