Kids crowd Proctors for 'Rudolph' musical

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

The musical stage production of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was held at Proctors on Sunday November 29,2015. A special children's event was held afterward to meet Santa and decorate cookies. Elena Phillips,6, of Cobleskill asks Santa for a unicorn.

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A giant snowman named Sam asked kids in the audience at Proctors, “What’s the matter? Haven’t you seen a talking snowman before?”

Hundreds of kids sitting in the Mainstage Theatre screamed in reply, most answering no but a few surprisingly saying yes.

There was a full house Sunday for the musical performance at Proctors of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” based on the classic animated television special.

Sam acted as the narrator, telling the story of a reindeer named Rudolph, who, unlike other reindeer, was born with a glowing red nose.

“Could it be that some of you are not acquainted with the story of Rudolph?” Sam asked the audience toward the beginning of the play.

During intermission, Schuyler Nichols, 8, said she thought Rudolph’s red nose was “cool” and didn’t like that the other reindeer were making fun of Rudolph and calling him names.

Sam wasn’t the only giant snow creature in the musical: The Abominable Snow Monster had several appearances too.

The creature drew a lot of whispers and gasps from the audience, frightening the other characters and chasing after Rudolph and his friends.

Schuyler’s brother Zachary Nichols, 5, said his favorite character in the musical was the Abominable Snow Monster.

“It’s good,” he said when asked how he was enjoying the performance. “I like when the snowman came out! The scary one.”

At the end of the musical, the crowd sang along to the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” before leaving the theater.

The Christmas fun wasn’t over, though, it was a doubleheader at Proctors on Sunday.

Schuyler Nichols was excited to leave and go to the next event, Kids’ Holiday Sweets and Treats.

The event, in the GE Theatre, featured crafts, snacks and a play zone. Kids also got to decorate their own cookies and make their own ornaments. Santa Claus even paid a visit to kids at the event.

Elena Phillips, 6, said she liked “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” especially because she hasn’t seen the whole TV show.

After the musical, she sat at a table in the GE Theatre with her parents making candy cane reindeer out of googly eyes and pipe cleaners.

“My favorite holiday is Christmas because when Christmas comes there are lots of presents,” she said while screwing on an antler.

Elena said when she was finished making her candy cane reindeer, she was planning to meet Santa and tell him she wants a unicorn for Christmas.

She wasn’t the only one. Linnea Aldrich, 5, said she also wants a unicorn for Christmas.

When asked if she was excited to see Santa, she said, “Yeah, but I met him before.”

Like Elena, Linnea said her favorite thing about Christmas is “getting presents.”

There were two performances of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at Proctors on Sunday afternoon.

Other Christmas-themed shows coming up at Proctors include the Northeast Ballet’s annual “The Nutcracker,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and “A Radio Christmas Carol.

Also happening soon in Schenectady are several tree lightings including on Upper Union Street on Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. with caroling, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus.