Jean Shepherd News

Little did I realize as I stood many years ago, as an extra, in front of Higbee's Department Store in downtown Cleveland at 3 AM, that I was participating in the filming of what would become one of the most popular winter holiday movies of all times.

When the musical adaptation of "A Christmas Story" first came to the 5th Avenue Theatre back in 2010 for the pre-Broadway Premiere I was dubious at best. And my fears turned out to be well founded as the musical felt scattered and lacked the emotional core that the original story and movie had. Luckily for all of us when the show went on to New York it was retooled to trim out all the fat and now that it's back has had its heart restored with direction by Brandon Ivie. So what once felt like a desperate attempt to turn a holiday classic into a cash cow now feels like a delightful homage to the original and a simpler time.

St Petersburg City Theatre continues their 90th Mainstage Season, presented by Raymond James, with Philip Grecian's A CHRISTMAS STORY. City Theatre will be collecting canned goods, toiletries, and child-friendly non-perishable foods in the lobby to support YWCA Tampa Bay's Family Village at every performance of A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Bring the whole family to the hilarious American classic, 'A Christmas Story,' which opens at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley tonight, Dec. 5 and includes live audience participation!

The Rose Theater triple-dog-dares you to see its holiday production of A Christmas Story: The Musical, playing tonight, Dec. 5-28. The fun-filled musical adaptation of the classic Yuletide film offers a stocking full of good, old-fashioned laughs sure to please the entire family.

St. Paul's Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is returning to its tradition of an original and (mostly) locally cast production during holidays, rather than the touring productions that often come through. In fact, the last Ordway Original holiday production was 2011's CINDERELLA. This year's production of the new musical based on the cult holiday movie A CHRISTMAS STORY is worth the wait. I am usually skeptical of movies turned into musicals, because often it doesn't work or it just simply isn't necessary. But I saw a preview of A Christmas Story (which officially opens on Friday and runs through December 28) last night and was pleasantly surprised; I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. In fact I loved pretty much every minute of it. The creators did a wonderful job of retaining the movie's unique tone of humor, silliness, and nostalgia while creating something new that stands on its own merits, whether you're a fan of the movie or not. And best of all, director James Rocco and his team have created a wonderful production that showcases some of the Twin Cities' finest talent, as well as giving a chance for talented local youngsters to play and shine on stage. The Ordway's A CHRISTMAS STORY is a wonderful, fun, extravagant, poignant, top-notch production of a new musical based on a beloved classic.

"You'll shoot your eye out!" Instead of watching the nostalgic Christmas movie during another 24 hour movie marathon, see A Christmas Story: The Musical live on stage at the Old Opera House in Charles Town, WV, opening December 4.

Big League Productions presents the 2014-2015 national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical. The beloved holiday movie will be brought to life on Broadway stages across the country. This sparkling new production will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park tonight, December 2, through December 14.

This holiday season, Nashville Repertory Theatre will once again present 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 tonight, November 29 - December 21 at TPAC's Johnson Theater (with preview performance on November 28).

Cleveland Play House has added an additional performance of the holiday classic, A Christmas Story, due to high audience demand.

This exuberant stage production is like a Norman Rockwell painting brought to life. Set in Hohman, Indiana in 1940, raconteur, Jean Shepherd (Chris Carsten) reminiscences about nine-year-old Ralphie's quest for an official Red Ryder, Carbine-Action, 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle B-B gun.

You haven't seen A Christmas Story until you've seen it live on stage at Cleveland Play House! This hilarious comedy based on the short stories of author Jean Shepherd has been delighting TV audiences for over 30 years. But instead of waiting for the 24-hour TV marathon to start, why not experience the magic of the holiday season live on stage with your loved ones at the Allen Theatre? Cleveland Play House's exuberant production of this beloved holiday classic will have you in stitches as you follow the trials and tribulations of little Ralphie Parker in his quest for the "holy grail" of Christmas gifts. With so many memorable moments and iconic images, it's no wonder that an illuminated leg lamp and pink bunny suit have become synonymous with the holiday season! Experience the magic for yourself November 28 - December 21 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.

The John W. Engeman Theater just opened the musical adaptation of the iconic holiday classic - A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL on Thursday, November 20; the show runs through January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

?The John W. Engeman Theater has just opened the musical adaptation of the iconic holiday classic - A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL on Thursday, Nov. 20, running through January 4, 2015. Below, BroadwayWorld brings photos of the bows and opening night festivities!

St Petersburg City Theatre continues their 90th Mainstage Season, presented by Raymond James, with Philip Grecian's A CHRISTMAS STORY. City Theatre will be collecting canned goods, toiletries, and child-friendly non-perishable foods in the lobby to support YWCA Tampa Bay's Family Village at every performance of A CHRISTMAS STORY.

The Rose Theater triple-dog-dares you to see its holiday production of A Christmas Story: The Musical, playing Dec. 5-28. The fun-filled musical adaptation of the classic Yuletide film offers a stocking full of good, old-fashioned laughs sure to please the entire family.

The John W. Engeman Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the musical adaptation of the iconic holiday classic - A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL. Performances begin tonight, November 20th at 8:00pm and run through January 4, 2015.

This holiday season, for the first time in the Fox Cities, one of America's favorite Christmas movies comes to life live-on-stage in a hilarious, large scale Broadway musical, at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center tonight, Nov. 18-23.

Bring the whole family to the hilarious American classic, "A Christmas Story," which opens at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley on Friday, Dec. 5 and includes live audience participation!

This holiday season, Nashville Repertory Theatre will once again present 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 29 - December 21 at TPAC's Johnson Theater (with preview performance on November 28).