Yes, Virginia, Santa’s reindeer DO have a retirement plan. And as infrequent as turnover in the ranks may be, it does occasionally take place.
And with Dasher recovering from hoof surgery – “I feel great but I’ve lost a little pep in my step” – ol’ Kris Kringle has to find a replacement reindeer for the first time in more than 80 years.
Such is the premise behind “Reindeer Games” by Jeremy Johnson, Encore Stage & Studio’s holiday show that recently wrapped up a two-weekend run at Gunston Arts Center.
Santa and Mrs. Claus (Ash Hoppe and Janiyah Strickland) have recruited nine possible successors, and will put them through a host of tests to see which one is up the rigors of the job.
“We want the most well-rounded and capable,” Strickland’s character noted. “We keep the Christmas spirit all year-round – we have a brand to protect.”
Contestants include Lightning (Ava Torres), Halley (“like the comet,” Grace Rubin), Beaumont (Amelia Bell), Shredder (Zach Rubin), Cheddar (“I thought this was a cooking contest,” Dina Marjane), Thunder (Leo Walsh), Rudi (Alexandra Wilson), Hopper (Helen Peters) and Peppy (Emmy Milam).
Joining the Kringles and newly retired Dasher (Annika Haney) in judging the competition will be the latter’s BFF, the reindeer Dancer (Bridget Smith) plus characters portrayed by Imogen Bownas and Teddy Burwell. And since the competition is being broadcast live around the world, color commentary is being provided by Madeleine McBride and Jonah Saxe in their best sports-announcer voices.
Directed by Jadion Jones, the production is in the cozier confines of Gunston 2 as opposed to Encore’s usual venue at the larger Thomas Jefferson Middle School theater, providing a more in intimate experience for attendees. With its two acts plus intermission clocking in at 90 minutes almost on the (red) nose – a little Rudolph humor there – Jones keeps the pace moving. And there are multiple surprise endings in a second act that seemed a bit stronger than the first.
It was a fun holiday outing, and now Encore pivots to 2024 quickly – “Finding Nemo Jr. the Musical” kicks off Jan. 12.
For information on the season, see the Website at www.encorestage.org.
