Mikayla Petrilla Takes the Classroom in Phoenix Productions' A CHRISTMAS STORY

Matawan resident Mikayla Petrilla will be playing a leading role in Phoenix Productions' upcoming November revival of A Christmas Story. This show will take place at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank for a two-weekend run beginning November 11th.

Mikayla s a well-known actor and member of the New Jersey community. She attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where she studied Musical Theatre and Public Relations, and is a familiar friend to the Phoenix family, having volunteered backstage, in the office, and onstage for the last five years. Mikayla was last seen playing Electra and Miss Cratchitt in Phoenix's September production of Gypsy. "When I was a child, it was my dream to get the musical theatre chops to be cast in a Phoenix show," says Mikayla. "Looking back, I am full of gratitude for the growth I've had as a performer, industry professional and person, thanks to working with Phoenix."

In A Christmas Story, Mikayla plays Miss Shields, the seemingly stereotypical 1940s educator who transforms into a dynamic, show stopping, brassy belter and tapper in Ralphie's fantasy scenes. "Miss Shields is the reserved, put together teacher that holds Ralphie's Christmas fate in her hands quite literally, as she grades his essay on wanting a Red Ryder BB Gun," says Mikayla. "Though being 'prim and proper', she is quite a hysterical character, especially in Ralphie's fantasy scenes. " Taking a turn from the movie version is Miss Shields' show-stopping musical number, "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out", a "speakeasy" fantasy of Ralphie's which Pasek and Paul wrote complete with fierce belting, tap-dancing, and a chorus of child mobsters and flappers.

A Christmas Story is a new musical version of the classic movie comes to the Count Basie Theatre stage for the holiday season. A Christmas Story takes place in the 1940s in Indiana, and focuses on Ralphie, a daydreamer who spends his days counting down to Christmas and his dream present -- a Red Ryder BB Gun. All of the classic movie's best-loved moments are here, including the Old Man's leg-shaped lamp, the tongue-on-a-flagpole scene, the bunny suit, the Santa slide and, all of Ralphie's extravagant daydreams. Join Ralphie in his quest for his Red Ryder BB Gun at this big Broadway musical, complete with dazzling dance numbers and gorgeous sets -- but be careful not to "shoot your eye out"!

Performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm, with its run concluding on November 20th. Tickets are available at the Count Basie Theatre Box Office and can be purchased in person at 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, N.J, by phone at 732-842-9000, or online at www.countbasietheatre.org .

Phoenix Productions is a non-profit community theatre organization that has produced more than a hundred full-scale revivals of Broadway musicals since 1988. For more information on Phoenix Productions or upcoming shows, please visit www.phoenixredbank.com