Baltimore Center Stage gives its holiday slot this year to a world premiere: Charmz: The Other Reindeer, a new musical with music and lyrics by Nygel D. Robinson, running November 13–December 27, 2026.
The run is at the company's home at 700 North Calvert Street in Baltimore. The theater bills the piece as a Motown-inspired Christmas musical, and its hero is a reindeer named Charmz who wants to shine every bit as brightly as Rudolph. The story is about believing in yourself, about friendship, and about finding out that the light you already have is enough. Robinson has written an original score for a North Pole that runs on Motown.
Ken-Matt Martin wrote the book and directs, with choreography by Victor Musoni. Martin has held senior leadership roles at Baltimore Center Stage, and as a producer he oversaw the world premiere of Mexodus, the musical Robinson co-wrote, which has since played Berkeley Rep, Baltimore Center Stage and Mosaic Theater Company among others.
Tyrese Shawn Avery leads the company as Charmz, making his Baltimore Center Stage debut. Baltimore native Davon Fleming, a semifinalist on NBC's The Voice, plays Santa, and Avionce Hoyles is Rudolph. The rest of the herd are Emmanuel Kikoni (Donner), Vaughn Ryan Midder (Blitzen), Tanea Reneé (Prancer), Nigel Richards (Cupid), Tyrell A. Stanley (Dasher), Delaney Thompson (Dancer), Kanysha Williams (Vixen) and Antonio Michael Woodard (Comet), with Becky Mossing as Elley.
The design team is Sydney Lynne (scenic), Moyenda Kulemeka (costumes), Simean Carpenter (lighting), Jeremiah Davison, Eric Denson and Chris Lane (co-sound designers) and Larry Peterson (hair and wigs). John Bronston is music director and arranger, Alan Mendez handles music preparation, and Luisa Torres is production stage manager.
Tickets are on sale from the Baltimore Center Stage website and the box office on 410-332-0033.
