Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
A musical ‘Christmas Story’ rings in season
Cumberland County Playhouse is serving up a side of holiday nostalgia set to music as the first of two seasonal productions debuts.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical” is based on the classic film about young Ralphie Parker’s hilariously desperate quest for a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. That single-minded focus is the basis of a song in the musical version, along with other numbers that recall familiar scenes from the movie, including “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out,” “Sticky Situation” and “At Higbee’s.”
All t he cherished moments are featured in the stage version: the Old Man’s leg lamp, the tongue-on-a-flagpole, the bunny suit, the Santa slide and all of Ralphie’s extravagant daydreams.
The 2012 Broadway production was nominated for three Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score). It also received two Outer Critics Circle nominations (Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Featured Actor), as well as six Drama Desk nominations.
“As soon as I heard that ‘A Christmas Story’ was being adapted into a musical, I knew it would be a perfect fit for the Playhouse,” says Artistic Director Britt Hancock, who directs this production. “So I’m thrilled that we’re able to present this classic story on our Mainstage.”
At the center of the action is the Parker family, with David Kappel as Ralphie, Jason Ross as the Old Man, Lauren Marshall as Mother and Chavin Medina as Randy.
The cast also features Daniel Black as Jean Shepherd, the author whose short stories and semifictional anecdotes inspired the film, and Hannah Hays as Miss Shields, the schoolteacher. Another 30-plus actors also have roles in the production.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical” continues through Sunday, Dec. 18, and is rated PG. Perennial favorite “A Sanders Family Christmas” will run Friday, Nov. 18, through Thursday, Dec. 22.