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Locals star in Rudolph

| 28 Nov 2012 | 02:28
    Pictured from left: Sydney Reynolds, 12, of Andover; Grace Brizek, 13, of Sparta; Alana Claffey, 16, of Sparta; Matthew Fralley, 15, of Netcong; and Dalton Allison, of 13, of Byram.
    Pictured from left: Sydney Reynolds, 12, of Andover; Grace Brizek, 13, of Sparta; Alana Claffey, 16, of Sparta; Matthew Fralley, 15, of Netcong; and Dalton Allison, of 13, of Byram.
    The cast of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Growing Stage alumni gather for photographs after the performance.
    The cast of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Growing Stage alumni gather for photographs after the performance.
    Sue Brizek of Sparta busy in the costume department.
    Sue Brizek of Sparta busy in the costume department.

The Growing Stage, the Children’s Theatre of New Jersey’s production of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” lost rehearsal time when Hurricane Sandy knocked out the power but Rudolph’s nose glowed Friday, Nov. 23 for the show’s opening night.

“We lost two weeks of rehearsals here so we are cramming to get everything done for the opening,” said director Stephen Fredericks during a rehearsal last week.

Built in 1919, the Palace Theater on Route 183 in Netcong was not damaged by the storm. “We were very fortunate as far as the facility itself. The walls are 16 inch concrete. So we are OK.” With opening night approaching, the cast and crew could only nervously wait until power was restored before they could rehearse. “It was dark and cold.”

TV to the stage

The Growing Stage production of “Rudolph” is a musical stage adaptation of the Christmas television show.

“We are the third company in the country to get the rights to adapt the 1964 television special into a stage presentation,” said Fredericks, who started the Netcong acting company 31 years ago. “Creative Arts Limited in Connecticut owns the rights.”

The cast of 33 is a mix of professionals and local, community actors, young and old. “This is a great place to learn and grow because you have a chance to work side by side with professionals.”

Local talent

Fredericks explained that the community actors can gain experience quickly because the company presents four or five main stage productions, four studio presentations and has a touring show each season.

“Rudolph” requires the cast to sing and dance where potential cast members had to sing 16 measures and perform a short dance for their auditions. After the actors read from the script the director made the final selections. The young actors have a wealth of experience.

“I’m playing the role of an elf,” said Sydney Reynolds, 12, of Andover, who also acts in school productions. Last year she was in the Long Pond Middle School production of Guys & Dolls as Adelaide.

“I am a misfit toy,” said Grace Brizek, 13, of Sparta. “The Cowboy who rides an ostrich, and an elf.”

“I have a cute rag doll wig,” said Elana Claffey, 16, of Sparta, who plays dolly for Sue on the island of misfit toys and a reindeer. She is really in the holiday acting spirit as “right now at Sparta High School they are doing 'A Christmas Carol' and I’m the ghost of Christmas present.”

“I’m an elf and the water pistol that shoots peanut butter and jelly,” said, Dalton Allison, 13, of Byram.

Matthew Fralley, 15, of Netcong, has appeared in 21 Growing Stage productions. In Rudolph he plays Bumbles, the abominable snowman. His stage character is eight feet tall. “It is a huge puppet,” said Fralley. “I’m literally in the puppet.”