By Christina Perryman
For many families, the holiday season is not complete without a showing of the 1983 classic A Christmas Story. The musical version, book by Joseph Robinette, music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is even more enjoyable. Now on stage at Walnut Street Theatre, audiences can experience the highs and lows of Ralphie Parker and his family as they prepare for Christmas. The show, brilliantly directed by Richard Stafford, includes all the iconic moments of Ralphie’s quest to obtain “an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model air rifle” for Christmas. But with songs.
Tyler Jai Knowles and Raphael Sommer play Ralphie in the Walnut Street Production.
For those not familiar with the story, Ralphie Parker spends the days leading up to Christmas trying to convince his parents to get him the BB gun. He uses all his considerable creativity, from subtle hints, to outright asking, to writing about it in school, to, as a final resort, visiting Santa.
Sprinkled in the story are realistic family dynamics, a run in with the school bully, a lot of creative language and plenty of Christmas cheer.
A Christmas Story The Musical’s cast includes several longstanding Walnut favorites, including Bill Van Horn as Jean Shepherd (delightful, boyish energy), Ellie Mooney as Miss Shields (always entertaining) and Fran Prisco (in his 44th Walnut production) as The Old Man. Prisco gives a solid, enjoyable performance, often gruff, occasionally hilarious and always the backbone of the Parker family. If Prisco is the backbone, Elyse Landley’s Mother is the heart. Landley provides a lovely and warm performance. Weeknight performers Keiran Gallagher (Randy) is wonderful, and Tyler Jai Knowles (Ralphie) is impressive. Knowles’s delivery is honest and endearing with a lot of energy and spirit.
On the weekends, Raphael Sommer takes over as Ralphie and Oliver Wong plays Randy.
Scott Langdon and Ensemble in Walnut Street Theatre’s “A Christmas Story the Musical”. Photo by Mark Garvin
The Tuesday, Dec. 2, weekday children’s ensemble was comprised of Owen Ahlmer, Emma Caroto, Julia-Mercedes Heuman, Trey Johnson, Lydia Jones, Ellis Targoff and MJ Wermuth. This next generation of Walnut performers shows a ton of talent and ability. The strong adult ensemble is comprised of Sara Brophy, Will Stephan Connell, Joseph Cullinane, Mark Donaldson, Tiara J. Greene, Bonnie Kelly, Ryan Kleinman, Kevin Kulp, Scott Langdon (who takes over as Jean Shepherd beginning Dec. 22), Laura Kate Marshall, Kimberly Maxson, Eddie Olmo II, Rebecca Robbins, Kerri Rose, Dominick Sannelli, Rochelle Scudder, Audrey Biehl Simmons and Devon Sinclair. Gus and Jethro adorably play the Bumpus Hounds.
The show incorporates many lively tunes and Stafford’s choreography was outstanding. I have a soft spot for tap numbers, therefore “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!,” which put the phenomenal Mooney at center stage, was my favorite number. Other notable songs include “Ralphie to the Rescue!,” “It All Comes Down to Christmas,” “Sticky Situation,” and “A Christmas Story.”
A Christmas Story The Musical features a stunning set designed by Joh Farrell. The scenery used a blend of traditional staging, digital imaging and colorful, detailed screens that transported the audience to the various locations. It felt like I was looking inside a radio station from a bustling street at the beginning and that is just one example. Costumes, by Mary Folino, were terrific. The sheer number of costume changes was impressive. I liked how Jean Shepherd and Raphie wore similar clothing during some scenes. This reinforced the authenticity of the narrator’s story. Matt DeMascolo’s lighting was well done, as were sound by Ed Chapman and wigs and makeup by Detinee Steele. Chris Bucheri conducted the live orchestra.
I “triple dog dare you” to see this show.
If you go:
A Christmas Story runs at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, through Jan. 4. The show runs 2 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays with select Tuesday shows and special show times around Christmas.
Tickets start at $107.85. Select seats are $49 (with code STORY!) for the 7 p.m. show on Friday, Dec. 26. For full ticket information, showtimes, prices and discounts, visit www.walnutstreettheatre.org, TicketMaster or call 215-574-3550.