‘Christmas Town: The Story Behind the Story of Rudolph’ on view at Center For Puppetry Arts

Young Rudolph with Red Nose from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Clay Walker

The first time America got to know the beloved character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer might be more recent than you think. The misfit reindeer entered popular consciousness with his national TV debut in 1964 in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the groundbreaking animated claymation special. Now, the Center for Puppetry Arts shares Rudolph’s origin story and behind-the-scenes in an exhibition called “Christmas Town: The Story Behind the Story of Rudolph,” a companion experience to their annual puppet show based on the original TV animation. Center for Puppetry Arts Museum Director Sarah Dylla and puppeteer Anna Williford joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to share some new insights visitors can discover about this classic holiday tale.

Interview highlights:

The unexpected origins of beloved Christmas icons: