Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer turns 15 this year

Nov 2, 2012
Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer

Hell in a Handbag Productions is proud to remount Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, David Cerda's parody of the classic children's television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Now celebrating it's 15th year, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer is the longest running holiday show featuring a transvestite reindeer in the history of Chicago, and quite possibly THE WORLD.

"The Rankin Bass version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer has always been my favorite childhood holiday tale and I think peoplein the LGBTQ community feels the same way because it's really the first kid's story that encourages you to "just be yourself," says Artistic Director and playwright David Cerda. "It's a tale about MISFITS, and I could totally relate to Rudolph, and all the residents on the Island of Misfit Toys. I wanted to live there!" says Cerda. "There were no anti bullying- campaigns when I was growing up. In my day, if you were picked on in your parents usually told you to stop acting differently- just like Rudolph's parents. Rudolph is the pre-cursor to the It Gets Better campaign", adds Cerda.

Cerda is thrilled the show has become a staple holiday ritual for people seeking a tonic from traditional holiday fare. "We've been going 'full steam ahead' for so long that it never occurred to me that it's been 15 years and we're still at it" Cerda says."I still love doing Rudolph bevause it changes every year which I believe is one of the keys to it's success. It's really a reflection of popular culture events of the year. I think doing the exact same show every year would be terribly boring, and I think our fans appreciate the fact that we keep it fresh", says Cerda.

Santa is undergoing a major image crisis. Nobody believes in him anymore and he's desperate for government bailout money. Elves have been laid off and the morale and morals are at an all time low. Santa (Michael Hampton) devises a calculated media campaign to help save his tarnished image but his deeply troubled wife, Ruth Claus (Ed Jones) seems hell-bent on destroying herself and everything they both worked so hard to create.

Can Rudolph, the North Pole's biggest misfit (Alex Grelle), Herbie (Chad Ingold) the 'not gay enough' dentist wannabe elf , as well as Yukon Cornelia (Lori Lee returning for her 9th year!), the butch prospector with a deep, dark secret -accidentally save Christmas?

Also returning to the show are Katherine Glavin, Barbara Figgins, Billie Bryant, Terry McCarthy, Michael S. Miller, Joshua Peterson, Eli Branson, Christopher Carpenter as Sam the Snowman and David Cerda. New to the Rudolph this year is John Cardone last seen with Hell in a Handbag in the hit show Sexy Baby.

Ensemble member AJ Wright is once again directing Rudolph, The Red-Hosed Reindeer. "I'm thrilled to be returning to direct Rudolph for the second year. The theme that resonates most with me about this story is that struggle we all face to be ourselves. Whether you are 13 or 30 being comfortable in one's own skin can be difficult, and what Rudolph and all of Handbag's productions show us is that with a lot of humor and heart it all gets better!" says Wright.