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Community
Theater
Elkhorn's Lakeland Players joins reindeer games with 'Rudolph' this weekend
Matt Weisensel (left) and Ethan Justen performing in a scene of
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical,” which ends its run
this weekend in Elkhorn.
Submitted, Resorter
ELKHORN — Holiday cheer is sure make the spotlight while the Lakeland Players present “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.”
The Elkhorn area theater group wraps its two-week run of the performances this weekend.
Shows are Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.
Performances will be at the Sprague Theater, 15 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn.
The musical features music and lyrics by Johnny Marks and a script adaptation by Robert Penola, according to a Lakeland Players press release.
Directed by Hans Murtell, with music direction by Rachel Stinespring, “Rudolph” brings to life the iconic characters and memorable songs.
The cast includes youth and adult performers from across the region, many of whom bring substantial experience to the stage.
Among them is Rhys Finley, appearing in the title role of Rudolph.
Finley joined theatre only a few years ago, appearing in “Seussical Jr.” as well as several Lakeland Players shows, including last year’s “A Christmas Story.”
He has since taken part in six musicals and continues formal voice training.
Finley said playing Rudolph allows him to combine his enthusiasm and personality with the character’s charm. “It is fun doing a silly, stuffy nose voice for Rudolph,” he said.
Emily Graf appears as Clarice.
Graf began performing at age 9 and has participated in productions with Theatre 121, Woodstock Children’s Summer Theatre, and College of Lake County’s summer program.
Her experience includes roles in “SpongeBob Jr.,” “Shrek Jr.,” “Matilda Jr.,” “Beetlejuice Jr.” and multiple holiday productions.
Graf was drawn to Clarice’s warmth and kindness.
“I think she is a sweet and kind character that looks beyond Rudolph’s nose to see the ‘deer’ that he really is,” she said.
Murtell, a longstanding member of the Lakeland Players, leads a large cast of youth and adult performers through a visually rich retelling of Rudolph’s journey from misfit to hero.
Scenic and technical elements include handcrafted North Pole landscapes, stylized trees and ice blocks, and a sleigh centerpiece designed to capture the charm of the original television special.
Gov. Tony Evers lights the Capitol Christmas tree Thursday alongside invited guests which included students and staff from Wisconsin schools. …
Who doesn’t love a good story?
One intention behind Geneva Lake Storytellers is to forge connections the old-fashioned way — by sharing stories face to face.
“This is about getting to know your neighbors one story at a time and in person,” said Dave Desimone, director of Black Point Estate & Gardens.
Black Point and Geneva Tap House are presenting the program, which is the first and third Thursdays of each month, now through March. Note: There is no Storytellers Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Desimone said the program was designed to help build community during the winter months.
At each session, three or four community members will share a story.
“The stories can be just about anything — that favorite childhood pet, the grand adventure that changed your life, the best or worst job you ever had, the one that got away, a tale of redemption or something completely made up,” said Desimone.
Each storyteller will have up to 12 minutes to share their tale.
Following the scheduled storytellers, audience members will be invited to share as well.
Sessions are from 6-8 p.m., with storytelling from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
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Watch as the Wisconsin State Capitol Christmas tree is lit for the season
