‘Rudolph’ to sing and dance on DHS stage
Jody Tartt will have to be excused if she seems a bit frazzled. For the first time in two years, thanks to the pandemic, she is directing a play at Demopolis High School.
This time she is working with a cast that has only three of her veteran students returning and only six weeks instead of the usual eight for rehearsing, gathering costumes, creating sets and making props.
In spite of the challenges, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will come to life this week. Show times are Thursday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 11, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. Matinee shows for students at Westside and U.S. Jones Elementary Schools are Wednesday and Thursday.
For the first time tickets for the performances will be sold online only through GoFan.com. “We are cashless,” said Tartt.
“A lot of these people, they’ve never been in a play before,” Tartt said. Her three veterans are Jackson Miller, who narrates the show as Sam the snowman; Henry White, playing Coach Comet, and Bailey Hammond, the stage manager.
The musical production is based on the popular animated version that has been televised for decades. It tells of Rudolph, played by Jimmy Monroe, and his visit to the Island of Misfit Toys. Rudolph’s parents, Donner and his wife, are played by Jon Q. Presswood and Brionna McClure. Donning the white beard and wig as Santa is Kennedy Thomas, and Kelcie Perkins is Mrs. Claus.
More than 30 students make up the cast, and others work the sound and lighting. Tartt’s Theatre II Design Classes put together the set.
This is the first year the “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has been available for performances. “I was excited because I loved this as a kid.”
Tartt went to DHS principal Terina Gantt to see if it would be okay to put together an unplanned fall show. Gantt’s response? “Go for it!”
Tartt said there wasn’t any use to doing it without bringing in the little children. Gantt told her to contact the elementary school principals, and within 10 minutes of sending an email, both sent an enthusiastic response.
“It’s such a great story for little children,” she continued. “It’s all about bullying and feeling like you don’t fit in and then finding your place and being accepted and overcoming those adversities that everybody’s experiencing.”
Brandon Allen, DHS choir and band director, has chipped in his time to serve as music director for the production. His choir makes up the residents of the Island of Misfit Toys.
“He and I realize we say all the same things to our kids about being dedicated, showing up for rehearsal,” Tartt said.
The cast members with Tartt’s guidance came up with their costumes. The exception is the character of Hermey the Elf. Andi Turberville created the costume for her son Ben.
“We are very grateful to the Demopolis City Schools Foundation and the Webb Family Foundation. We wouldn’t have made it through this production without that funding,” she said.
“I am always eternally grateful and humbled by the artistic support that we get in a community as small as Demopolis.”