Fine Arts Center’s Theatre Company Presents A CHRISTMAS STORY, 11/29-12/23

The Fine Arts Center's Theatre Company presents A Christmas Story, the stage play adaptation of the Christmas film, Nov. 29 – Dec. 23, in the SaG?Ji Theatre.

Ralphie Parker wants only one thing for Christmas: An Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. Created in 1983 by humorist Jean Shepherd and adapted in 2000 for the stage by Philip Grecian, A Christmas Story is the hilarious account of Ralphie's desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas.

Featuring all of the recognizable scenes, lines – "You'll shoot your eye out" – and characters from the movie, this play is recommended for all ages.

"A Christmas Story is one of my all-time favorite holiday movies," said Scott RC Levy, the Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director. "What a treat to take those iconic moments from the film and translate them into three dimensions on the stage. If you've never seen the movie, that's OK; you'll have a raucously fun time. And for those in our audience who know every word of the movie by heart, there are moments in the play that didn't make it on screen."

The cast features several local school children, including Evan Lennon, who portrays Ralphie, is a seventh grader in Eagleview Middle School's Academic Arts Academy. He has appeared in the FAC productions of Gypsy, All My Sons and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. At Eagleview, he participates in Glee Club, Student Council and Forensics. Audiences may also recognize Evan from First Company's Lost in Yonkers and Colorado College's Nine. His mom, Jen Lennon, is also in the production, playing Miss Shields.

Other young actors include Mark Autry (Colorado Springs Conservatory), Finn Dufford (Manitou Springs Elementary), Jack English (Challenger Middle School), London Lyle (Cheyenne Mountain Junior High), Elizabeth Pond (Colorado Springs Conservatory) and Micah Wilborn (Eagleview Middle School).

The adults in the cast include Jason Lythgoe (Assassins, A Year with Frog and Toad), Tom Auclair (Assassins, In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), Eryn Carman (Sweeney Todd, The Women) and Jen Lennon (Hairspray, 1776)

The production is directed by Joye Cook-Levy, who made her FAC directorial debut last season with In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). The creative team includes R. Thomas Ward (Scenic Design), Holly Anne Rawls (Lighting Design), Janson Fangio (Costume Design), Kaetlyn Springer (Prop Design) and Katy McGlaughlin (stage manager).

A Christmas Story is sponsored by El Pomar Foundation, Fidelity Investments, KLITE 106.3, KKTV,
Colorado Springs Independent, Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, H. Chase Stone Trust,
The Mining Exchange and the members of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Tickets and Show times FAC Member Non-Members
Thursday Preview, 7:30p (Nov. 29) $18 $20
Thursday, 7:30p (Dec. 6, 13, 20) $27 $30
Friday / Saturday, 7:30p; Sunday, 2p $33 $37
Saturday matinee, 2p $29 $32
Student Tickets (any night) $15 $15

To buy tickets, call the FAC Box Office at 719.634.5583 or visit csfineartscenter.org.