Hi all--
Back in the early nineties, I saw a Christmas musical that I believe was called
Rudolph's Rockin' New Year.  I can't quite remember.  I THINK it was written by
Luther Vandross.  I am looking for a possible soundtrack to it.  Can you help me?
Thanks,
Mary

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Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 23 Dec 2003 13:26 PST

Hi Mary,

Do you happen to remember any other details about this musical?  Any
performers, songs, clues, etc., that you can remember might help us
locate it.   Was this something that you saw on television?  Was it
animated?

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Clarification of Question by mary1954-ga on 23 Dec 2003 22:03 PST

I don't remember a lot about it.  It was done by an all
African-American cast.  I am trying to remember stuff.  I saw it on
stage in Minneapolis, MN during the late 80's I think.  Could have
been early 90's like 91 or 92.  It was about Christmas at the home of
a black family.  It had singing mice I think that I remember.  It was
just really great.  I hope this helps.
Mary

Hi Mary,

I'm guessing that the show that you saw was "The Night Before
Christmas: A Musical Fantasy," performed by an ensemble called The
Sounds of Blackness.

This is an African-American family musical featuring "...Five Live
Mice and Rudolph the Rappin' Reindeer."

The show debuted in Minneapolis in 1978 and has been performed in that
city many times since.  The group "The Sounds of Blackness" has
performed with Luther Vandross, so that's probably the connection that
you remember.


From a press release three years ago:

'Rudolph the Rappin' Reindeer is coming to town...
..."The Night Before Christmas," is a holiday feast for families of
all cultures and children of all ages. Written by Gary Hines, musical
director of The Sounds of Blackness, the play is based on the classic
holiday poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," written by Clement Clarke
Moore in 1823. But in place of "visions of sugar plums," Hines' story
is filled with images of Singin' Stockings, Dancin' Chitlins, Five
Live Mice and Rudolph the Rappin' Reindeer.
... The Sounds of Blackness, the celebrated 30-member ensemble of
musicians, singers, writers and producers, has earned a worldwide
following with their musical echoes of Africa through Negro
spirituals, jazz, blues, gospel, ragtime and hip-hop.
Since its start in 1971, The Sounds of Blackness has earned two Grammy
Awards, produced five albums and performed with the likes Sting, Elton
John, Rod Stewart, Prince, Luther Vandross..."
source:
"CCC Brings 'Sounds of Blackness' to Town for Holiday Shows."
PR Newswire, Nov 22, 2000, hosted by findarticles.com:
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m4PRN/2000_Nov_22/67458713/p1/article.jhtml

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There is indeed a soundtrack CD from this show:

Available from half.com:
http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1767026
Or Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/music/B0000012SS/
Or ebay.com:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2582842135&category=1570

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search strategy:
findarticles.com: +minneapolis +rudolph +vandross

I hope this is the musical that you had in mind.  If not, please let
me know via the "request clarification" feature. Thanks.

Thank you so very, very much.  I knew that I could count on you
wonderful folks at Google to help me out.
Merry Christmas to all of you there,
Mary

Thank you for the tip.  Merry Christmas to you!
-juggler