Rudolph: From Screen to Stage

For many years, families have gathered around the TV to watch Rudolph, Hermey, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and the Island of Misfit Toys on our screens. Today, this holiday classic transitions from stop-motion to stage as Melody Musical Theater presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, a live retelling of this heartwarming story.

From Poem to Song to Screen

Rudolph’s story began in 1939 when Robert L. May, a copywriter for the Montgomery Ward department store, was asked to create a Christmas giveaway for customers. Taking from his own childhood experiences of feeling different, May wrote a poem about a young reindeer with a bright red nose who learns that what makes him different is also what makes him special.

The poem was a hit—Montgomery Ward distributed over 2 million copies that first year alone. Ten years later, May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, adapted the story into a song. When Gene Autry recorded “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in 1949, it became an instant classic and has sold more than 25 million copies since.

The 1964 Television Special

Rudolph again took off 1964, when Rankin/Bass Productions brought him to life in their stop-motion television special. The special introduced new characters including Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, Clarice, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and the Island of Misfit Toys.

From Screen to Stage: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

Fast-forward to today, and Rudolph continues to inspire each generation—this time live on stage! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical  brings this beloved story to life through script and song. The show includes all of the classic moments—from Rudolph’s early days at the Reindeer Games, to meeting Hermey and Yukon Cornelius, to saving Christmas Eve with his glowing red nose. This stage version captures the nostalgia of the original TV special while adding the magic of live performance.

Fun Facts About Rudolph

1. The song was almost never recorded. Gene Autry initially didn’t want to sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” but his wife convinced him and it became one of his biggest hits!

2. When May first wrote the 1939 poem, he considered several names — including Rollo, Reginald, and Romeo — before finally settling on Rudolph.

3. The classic eight, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, came from the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” . Rudolph joined the team over a century later!

4. The TV special used stop-motion puppets only 8–10 inches tall. Each movement was filmed frame by frame - 24 frames per second of animation! That means animators had to physically move each puppet a fraction of an inch between each shot — resulting in over 40,000 frames of animation for the 55 minute special. The whole process of filming took 7 months.

5. Rudolph’s nose was an LED light. A small red bulb inside his model head gave that glow.

6. The show’s ending was changed after fans wrote letters! Originally, Santa never returned to pick up the Misfit Toys—viewers complained, so the producers added a new ending where he does.

7. The original puppets were lost for decades. They resurfaced in the early 2000s and were later restored and displayed at the Smithsonian.

At Melody Musical Theater, we believe stories like Rudolph’s matter more than ever - they remind us to celebrate kindness, inclusion, and courage. Thank you for joining us and for supporting our theater. Together, we can make the season just a little brighter—for our community and for every misfit who finds their way.