Tennessee Rep Presents A CHRISTMAS STORY, Now thru 12/22

This holiday season, Tennessee Repertory Theatre will once again present the holiday cult classic and Nashville's All-American Holiday Tradition A Christmas Story adapted by Phillip Grecian and based on the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark. A Christmas Story runs November 30 - December 22 at TPAC's Johnson Theater (with preview performance tonight, November 29). This season, Sunday matinee performances have been added to accommodate more families.

"For many people, it isn't Christmas until they see the movie A Christmas Story," says Tennessee Rep Producing Artistic Director and director of A Christmas Story René D. Copeland. "We've quickly learned (and heard from our patrons) that in Nashville, it isn't Christmas until you have seen our live and theatrical version of Ralphie's quest for the Red Rider bb gun. This is a story we have come to cherish, and I could not be more thrilled that it has become important to the way Nashvillians want to celebrate their holiday. We truly love hearing from those who return every year how Tennessee Rep has become a part of their family holiday tradition. We LOVE hearing, 'I like it better than the movie' and relish the connection that happens when we tell you this story in our unique way, and frankly, it does as much to make our holiday complete as it does that of our patrons."

Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his unflappable campaign to get Santa (or anyone else) to give him a "legendary official Red Rider carbine-action, 200 shot range-model air rifle." Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Goldblatt's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out."

Many of the favorite elements from the motion picture are in the production: the family's temperamental exploding furnace, the school bully Scut Farkas, the dare to place a wet tongue on a cold lamppost, the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin, the "major award" of a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking, the imaginative fantasy scenarios and more. This irresistible piece of Americana is a cult classic and is guaranteed to warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.

Veteran Nashville actor Samuel Whited once again stars as "Ralphie."

"I am giddy to be sharing the story of the little family on Cleveland Street again," says Whited. "To once again take on the pink bunny suit of humility is both a comfort and privilege. The show is dear to me, as are the folks I share the stage with. I'm cleaning my glasses and dusting the lamp. The show won't come soon enough or last long enough to satisfy me. To look into the seats and see whole families living the story with us is something I am so impatient for, rather like awaiting Christmas itself."

In addition to Whited, Tennessee Rep's production features an ensemble cast including David Compton, Geoff Davin, Jamie Farmer, Andrew Kanies, Eric D. Pasto-Crosby, and David Wilkerson.

Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, visit www.tennesseerep.org.

A Christmas Story, adapted by Phillip Grecian from the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark, will run November 30 - December 22 at TPAC'S Johnson Theater (Preview: November 29).

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Friday, November 29, 7:30 PM--PREVIEW

Saturday, November 30, 7:30 PM

Wednesday, December 4, 6:30 PM

Thursday, December 5, 6:30 PM

Friday, December 6, 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 7, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Sunday, December 8, 2:30 PM

Wednesday, December 11, 6:30 PM

Thursday, December 12, 6:30 PM

Friday, December 13, 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 14, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Sunday, December 15, 2:30 PM

Wednesday, December 18, 6:30 PM

Thursday, December 19, 6:30 PM

Friday, December 20, 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 21, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Sunday, December 22, 2:30 PM

Tickets: Starting at $45 (starting at $11.50 for students with valid ID, some restrictions apply). Tickets are on sale at the TPAC Box Office (at 505 Deaderick Street in Downtown Nashville). Tickets are available by phone or internet order at the following: (615) 782-4040 or www.tennesseerep.org.