THEATER Play will address bullying

The playwright decided to combine the holiday theme with something of concern to kids.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Kandace Cleland of Lisbon has written a play that will premiere at the Kent Trumbull Theatre. Entitled "Where's Rudolph?," it features a cast of about 18 students and local community members.
Cleland said she was asked to create a play with a holiday theme.
"The song, 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' contains a theme of bullying, a prevalent issue today," she said. "I wanted to use the holiday to create a positive message from the issues in this song."
The family-friendly play begins as the reindeer are competing in the "Antler Finals," which they do every year to see who will pull Santa's sleigh. Only the strongest and fastest will win, and Rudolph becomes one of the "Mighty 8."
Getting ready
The drill team elves of Major Berry and Sergeant Holly train the reindeer all year.
In Rudolph's excitement, his nose begins to glow, and he gets disqualified, because the elves fear it will blind Santa and cause too much of a hassle. So Rudolph is re-assigned to the workshop. Meanwhile, the evil Snow Queen and her assistant, Jack Frost, are determined to stop Christmas, so they kidnap the eight reindeer.
"There is audience interaction in this play, too," said Cleland. "During the 'Reindeer Games,' the kids get to cheer on Rudolph during the obstacle course, in which the reindeer have to run through wreaths, rather than tires. There is a lot of bullying going on, too. There are also places where the characters have tough decisions to make, and ask the audience to help. Jack Frost worries that he is being naughty, and wants to get back on the nice list, so he asks the audience how to do it."
The Snow Queen also has personal issues. She wants snow year round everywhere, including Palm Springs, so her mom, Mother Nature, sends her to the isolation of the north pole. Out of frustration, she puts her freezometer into overdrive and creates a blizzard.
What happens
Cleland said the play has a number of underlying messages. "Rudolph forgives the bullying, and there is a message of acceptance for those that are different and an appreciation of everyone's uniqueness," she said.
Cleland has high praise for the beautiful set designed by Michele Harvey. "When the exterior of the north pole is lit a certain way, you can see the inside of the Snow Queen's lair," she said. "The set is in multiple layers -- it looks like snow banks." She also pointed out that the play only lasts about an hour, so even with busy schedules, she hopes parents will bring the kids out to see it.
Daniel-Raymond Nadon, who is the director of Kent Trumbull Theatre, will also direct this play.
XThe play runs weekends, tonight through Dec. 18. It starts at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Call (330) 847-8700 for ticket information.