A Christmas Story The Musical: current US Tour

[mikey2573]

Posted: 11/22/17 at 11:12am

I saw this two weeks ago in Worcester, MA and it was really quite enjoyable.  The material is almost foolproof;  Robinette's book, Pasek's and Paul's score, all put across quite nicely by  a talented cast.  We saw Edward Turner as Ralphie and he was very good.  But the real find for this tour was Paul Nobrega as The Old Man.  He managed to capture that slightly off the wall, frustrated and tired man, but still came across as warm and loving to his on stage family.  I've seen previous tours and the Papermill and Walnut St. Theater productions and none of the actors were able to capture both qualities as The Old Man.  They either came across as just frustrated and angry or just plain goofy.  But you really have to believe that this man loves his family and Nobrega was able to get that across quite nicely.  John Bolton is the only other actor I have seen who was able to portray this as well.  Nobrega doesn't have the physicality that Bolton brought to the role, especially in "A Major Award" where Bolton went whole hog with the dancing leg-lamps.  It is clear that Nobrega is not much of a dancer, but he still sold the song convincingly and I really like him in this part. 

Chris Carsten plays Jean Shepherd again (a holdover from last year's tour) and he is very good as well.  The show has a very nice physical design that is similar (but slightly different) from the Broadway production.  Even with a technical snafu with a curtain getting caught on a window piece that was being flown out, the show looked very professional.  A really fun evening out at the theater.  If this tour is in your neighborhood try to catch it.  Very enjoyable. 

Updated On: 11/22/17 at 11:12 AM

[BwayLB]

Posted: 11/22/17 at 11:39am

I actually never saw the musical version of Christmas Story. But I'm going to watch the FOX Live TV special next month. For holiday theatre, I will go see White Christmas at Musical Theatre West in Long Beach instead.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 11/24/17 at 9:37am

I am looking forward to the TV broadcast, though I am a bit nervous that it won't be done right.  I am hoping for another GREASE LIVE and not a PETER PAN.  I know I said the material is foolproof, but you never know. 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 11/24/17 at 10:03am

I'm not expecting it to be great as Grease Live. But I hope they don't mess it up either