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A Holiday Classic Returns to the Center for Puppetry Arts

A decade of magic: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ prances back to the Center November 5-December 29

November 15, 2019


The beloved classic returns for its 10th consecutive year of holiday magic and my boys and I were there on opening day to enjoy. 




The Center for Puppetry Arts invites families to celebrate the holidays when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ returns to the stage for its tenth consecutive year, November 5-December 29. The beloved tale has become a jolly holiday tradition for Atlanta families and a trip down memory lane for the young at heart. Adapted for the stage by Jon Ludwig and directed by Tim Sweeney, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a faithful adaptation of the classic 1964 stop-motion animated television special.


Narrated by the delightful Sam the Snowman™, this celebrated holiday tale follows Rudolph and Hermey the Elf™, two misfits on the run. Along with their travelling companion Yukon Cornelius™, the unlikely friends set off on a merry and heart-warming adventure of acceptance and self-discovery, even as Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster™ fearsomely hunts the brave trio. Audiences are taken on a journey to fantastical locales, such as Santa’s Workshop, The North Pole and the enigmatic Island of Misfit Toys. Along the trip, patrons can enjoy live performances of all the classic songs from the 1964 original.
The production features rod, black light and body puppets meticulously designed by Resident Puppet Builder Jason Hines and built by the Center’s own team of accomplished puppet builders. Dolph Amick, Maggie Birgel, Nikolas Carleo, Brian Harrison, Kristin Storla and Anna Williford round out the talented cast of puppeteers.
The Center for Puppetry Arts is continuing its dedication to programming for patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with Sensory-Friendly Sunday on November, 17. Sensory-friendly modifications will be made to the 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. performances; in the Worlds of Puppetry Museum from noon-5 p.m.; and in the Create-A-Puppet Workshops™ from noon-5 p.m. The Center will also provide social stories, a quiet room, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses and fidget toys for guests wishing to use those resources. For details, visit puppet.org/asd
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ will be presented in the Mainstage Theater, November 5-December 29, with no shows on November 28 or December 25. Reduced-price previews take place Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ is recommended for ages 4 and up.
Family Series all-inclusive ticket prices vary by date, but start at $12.50 (Members) and $25 (nonmembers) and include the performance, entrance to the Create-A Puppet Workshop™, where guests can make, decorate and perform with their own Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ Shadow Puppet, and admission to the Worlds of PuppetryMuseum, featuring a global gallery and the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets in the world.
Tickets can be purchased online at puppet.org or by calling 404.873.3391.

The show schedule is as follows:
  • November 5-10*:           
    • Tuesday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. and noon
    • Thursday-Friday: 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
    • Saturday: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
      *Reduced-price previews November 5 & 6
  • November 12-17: 
    • Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
    • Saturday: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 
  • November 19-24: 
    • Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
    • Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 
  • November 26-December 1*: 
    • Tuesday 10 a.m. and noon
    • Wednesday 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
    • Friday-Saturday 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
      *The Center will be closed on Thursday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving 
  • December 3-8: 
    • Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
    • Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
  • December 10-15: 
    • Tuesday-Thursday: 10 a.m. and noon
    • Friday: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
    • Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  • December 17-22: 
    • Tuesday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. and noon
    • Thursday-Friday: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
    • Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  • December 24-29*: 
    • Tuesday: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
    • Thursday-Friday: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
    • Saturday 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
      *The Center will be closed on Wednesday, December 25 in observance of Christmas