Christopher Swan News

The story of Ralphie, the boy who wants a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun for Christmas took to the Shea's stage last night for a 5 day run. Based on the 1983 movie, we now have a full blown musical version of A CHRISTMAS STORY that faithfully recreates much of the classic tale.

This musical is everything a piece of musical theater ought to be. There is a little prologue with the character of Jean Shepherd. We know immediately who is whom and the exact nature of the piece's dramatic crux. Devotees of the movie will find much that is familiar, though there has been some rearrangement, extension, enhancement and addition. Dialogue flows as stage dialogue should: with snappy delivery, different voices and more wit than is common in Real Life. Musical numbers are lively and either reveal character or move the plot. Scene changes are rapid and full of children's holiday pagent-styled elements. Ralphie's home is an adorable cutaway dollhouse. The cast is energetic and charming. This production should satisfy fans of musical theater, fans of the movie, fans of holiday shows, fans of family-friendly entertainment and really anyone who isn't a Grinch or a Scrooge.

All the elements you want to see - the narration by Jean Shepherd, the Major Award, the flagpole (pictured above), the slugfest with Scut Farkas, the dogs in the kitchen, the Chinese dinner, and every repetition of 'You'll shoot your eye out!' are there, none the worse for your expecting them. The new material does no damage to the original components.

The beloved holiday film is being brought to life live-on-stage as the award-winning Broadway show, A Christmas Story, The Musical, embarks on an eight-city National Tour this holiday season. Four leads from the 2015 tour will return to reprise their roles for the third season of Big League's critically acclaimed production. A Christmas Story, The Musical will debut in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre from November 29 - December 4 as part of the 2016/2017 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta season.

Juxtaposing 1940 and 2016 America, you can easily pick out the undeniable differences that layer society, from technology to familial roles and everything in between. One thing that has remained constant over those 76 years is the unbridled joy of a child when they receive the pinnacle present on Christmas morning.

The beloved holiday film is being brought to life live-on-stage as the award-winning Broadway show, A Christmas Story, The Musical, embarks on an eight-city National Tour this holiday season opening in Utica, NY, tonight, November 15, 2016, with engagements in Waterbury, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Detroit and Grand Rapids­.

If the word Fragile (pronounced Frah-GEE-lay) or the phrase "You'll shoot your eye out, kid" bring a smile to your face, then you are likely one of the many people who love A CHRISTMAS STORY, the classic 1983 movie that has become required viewing for many families each Christmas season. And, while you may know the story by heart, you have likely never seen it told the way you will if you check out A CHRISTMAS STORY the musical on stage at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury, CT for just two performances on November 18th and 19th. Told with the flair only a musical can bring, A CHRISTMAS STORY puts an unfamiliar twist on the familiar classic. I caught up with Susannah Jones who plays the role of Ralphie's mother, and discussed her experience with the show, life on tour, and even her childhood equivalent to Ralphie's Red Ryder BB Gun.

The beloved holiday film is being brought to life live-on-stage as the award-winning Broadway show, A Christmas Story, The Musical, embarks on an eight-city National Tour this holiday season. Four leads from the 2015 tour will return to reprise their roles for the third season of Big League's critically acclaimed production. A Christmas Story, The Musical will debut in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre from November 29 - December 4 as part of the 2016/2017 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta season.

The beloved holiday film is being brought to life live-on-stage as the award-winning Broadway show, A Christmas Story, The Musical, embarks on an eight-city National Tour this holiday season opening in Utica, NY on November 15, 2016, with engagements in Waterbury, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Detroit and Grand Rapids­.

BILLY ELLIOT, the musical based on the movie of the same name, follows the development of a dance prodigy in Northern England during the 1984 miner's strike.  The story examines the juxtaposition between the working class world of mining and the posh world of dancing, along with traditional masculine ideals and family sacrifice.  The musical version features some truly fantastic dancing and standout vocal performances that create a show that is both dazzling and heartwarming to watch.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), is thrilled to announce the opening of their fifth season in their comfortable stadium-style theatre in Warwick. The company's 2016-17 season begins with theRhode Island Professional Premiere of the ten-time Tony® Award-winning musical, Billy Elliot: The Musical, which opens in previews on September 28.

KSW Productions and The LOST Theatre will present NORMA JEANE: THE MUSICAL from May 30th - June 18th 2016 at LOST Theatre. Press Night: June 1st 2016, 7.30pm.

Some events in history cry out to be made into a movie or a book or a stage play. Others don't seem like such an obvious choice at first glance. One might guess it would be quite difficult to pull off creating a musical out of the writing of the Declaration of Independence, of all things. But, as Ocean State Theatre Company proves with its current production, 1776 is both fascinating and fun, both engaging and entertaining, as it tells the story of the Declaration's creation and our country's birth.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fourth season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present the Tony Award-winning musical, about the birth of American Independence, 1776.

At its core, BREAKING LEGS is the story of a well-meaning guy who gets an offer he can't refuse, and then quickly realizes he's in way over his head.  It's a classic storyline that can be re-worked countless ways and still resonate with an audience.  Unfortunately, in order to reach the logical conclusion of this piece, playwright Tom Dulack trots out every Italian-American stereotype in the book, as well as a few racist and gay jokes leaving the viewer shocked that a play so well-acted and directed can come off so boring and underwhelming.  Many things work well in this production, but when the play itself seems incredibly dated and cliche, it never comes together and the whole endeavor just feels off.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fourth season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present Tom Dulack's hilarious comedy, Breaking Legs from January 27 - February 14.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently completed its third season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, is proud to continue its summer season with the Tony Award-winning classic American musical, Gypsy. Check out photos from the show below!

While it seems that some musicals are constantly produced and have been seen by every theatergoer alive, others seem more elusive. For example, there's no good explanation for why so many people have mentioned recently that they've never seen the musical Gypsy. 'Oh, I know the songs,' they all say. Immediately followed by, 'But I've never seen the actual show.' If you are among that number, Ocean State Theatre Company has just what you need, a nearly perfect production of this classic and beloved musical. And if you are not one of those people, and you have seen the show before, you should definitely take this opportunity to see it again.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently completed its third season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, is proud to continue its summer season with the Tony Award-winning classic American musical, Gypsy.